Spot the real enemy (Opinion)
An efficient and flexible pilot training system and an inclusive and diverse work environment are not mutually exclusive. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
A sequence of damaging news stories emerged about the RAF in August while the UK was left without a functioning government. While all matters deserve scrutiny, issues with the pilot training pipeline are the ones that can truly affect UK security with no effective solutions on the horizon. Instead of blaming diversity for an inadequate training intake, the enduring problems should be examined.
The RAF did not have a happy end of summer, to say the least. The service faced a run of bad press over a few short weeks: renewed attention on the poor state of military flying training; the resignation of a senior female officer amid claims of pressure to meet diversity targets; and allegations of bullying, misogyny and harassment in the Red Arrows.
Some media outlets and harbingers of gloom were quick to conclude that the RAF, particularly its recruitment and training side, is a shambles. There is little doubt that the air force is grappling with some serious
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