Defence Inclusivity Phase 2: The Lived Experience

Abstract: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) understands that a diverse and inclusive organisation is one that is stronger, healthier, more cohesive and resilient. Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) drives performance, it leads to better decision making and problem solving, increased flexibility to react to environmental changes and reduces the risks of group think, all of which are mission critical to meeting existing security challenges and threats (Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, 2018-2030; Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 2013). The MOD wants to reap the benefits that a diverse workforce brings; reflect the society it serves and, in doing so, achieve its Defence Strategic Equality Objectives. However, despite continued efforts, Defence recognises that it struggles to recruit and retain people from backgrounds not traditionally associated with Defence, namely females and Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) personnel. To address this, the MOD commissioned a robust Whole Force qualitative study (unprecedented in scope and scale) to better understand the Lived Experience5 of females and BAME personnel, in comparison with white males, to inform actions to improve the representation of these minority groups across Defence.