More women in the ADF can only improve the culture

RECRUITMENT of more women into the ADF can only help its culture problem, writes Wendy Tuohy. It’s no surprise some men would prefer the status quo.

Australian Army officer Captain Sandi Williams at the Afghan National Army Officers Academy in Qargha near Kabul. (Pic: Supplied)

THE ADF is to be applauded for its recruiting drive aimed at attracting more women into the army, navy and air force — it is proof the force realises it has a responsibility to try to better reflect the wider community, aka reality, in its ranks.

The levels of hysteria over 59 (of 75) jobs being targeted to female recruits have been something to behold today: like the AFL, Victoria Police, many Australian emergency services and most big corporates, the ADF has stated it needs to do better to provide women with opportunities to participate and is simply acting on that intention.

As one of the nation’s biggest employers, the ADF has realised it needs to lead by example by making its massive workforce inclusive and offering women not just a sense they are welcome but actively inviting them in.

But this is not just about promoting gender equality for the sake of “political correctness”, it’s about creating a healthier, stronger and more cohesive internal culture by diversifying it.

It is acknowledgment that organisations with more diverse workforces have been shown to experience measurable benefits.

Any organisation with as many as 88 per cent of its employees being of the same gender risks fostering an unbalanced culture.

Look to the atrocious handling of sexual assault allegations in the army and to the persecution of male soldiers suffering from mental health conditions related to their service as examples of a culture with serious issues.

Royal Military College Staff Cadet Clare Buttenshaw on patrol during a training exercise. (Pic: Corporal Bernard Pearson 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit).

A shocking light was cast on some sectors of army culture when a Facebook group with 1000 former and serving members of the Royal Australian Regiment allowed comments about “all women” being “filthy, lying whores”, and much worse.

The abominable Skype sex scandal and allegations of serious bullying going unchallenged — to the point where one serving soldier in Afghanistan reportedly made a suicide attempt due to unaddressed bullying this year — are just two more incidents that have shown elements of ADF culture in a highly questionable light.

So its no surprise parts of the force are making it plain they do not want people unlike themselves to be encouraged.

Like the AFL, police and emergency services which have finally recognised strong women are up to the job, the ADF is feeling the backlash from people who hate change, especially if it poses even the slightest risk to their positions to which they feel entitled.

Yet even some of the loudest critics of the targets for this round of job openings have conceded there is no question merit is still the key criteria for recruits.

Suggestions that the strength of the army will be diminished if women are given the chance to take on the toughest jobs is ridiculous.

No commander is going to put a weak soldier in danger of failing themselves and their comrades.

As respected Defence Minister, Marise Payne, stated in April: “For the Australian Defence Force, addressing equality is about improving both our capability and our operational effectiveness.

“Let’s be clear: a ‘women, peace and security’ perspective built into our operations is a capability enhancer”.

Wendy Tuohy is a Herald Sun columnist.