New four-part special from BFBS Forces News
BFBS Forces News has gained exclusive access to the British Army’s groundbreaking Critical Mass trial at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In Sandhurst Women: Leading the Fight, a compelling four-part special, viewers are introduced to the inspiring young men and women participating in this pioneering initiative.
Through captivating interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, the special highlights the experiences and challenges faced by those involved in this transformative trial. All episodes of Sandhurst Women: Leading the Fight are now available to watch on the BFBS Forces News website and YouTube channel.
Over a period of four months, a BFBS Forces News crew followed cadets taking part in the landmark trial which aims to boost female numbers in a platoon from 10% to 30%. The exclusive feature follows the recruits as they go through world-class officer training – from room inspections to drill practice and exercises out in the field – offering an incredible insight into life at the famous academy.
Officer Cadet Kira Dent of 5 Platoon says the programme is helping the Army improve its leadership training.
“I think a lot of people from… my dad’s era will always say that the Army’s gone soft.
“But I think it hasn’t. It’s just prioritised what actually makes people better leaders.”
“It is a lot better in a mixed platoon I would say,” says Officer Cadet Jon Hunt.
“There’s girls at the front, there’s girls at the back, then there’s lads at the front, lads at the back, so you don’t notice it as such.”
Officer Cadet Bradley Rigby also supported the trial, saying:
“There are some lads that very much don’t want females in the Army, but I don’t have an issue.
“I think if as long as they pass all the tests that are put in front of them, then there’s no reason they can’t do just as good a job as a male.”
The trial does not see Sandhurst recruit more women or alter standards, with the focus instead on grouping more women together within a mixed platoon during their time at the academy.
The changes at Sandhurst come after a damning report into the suicide of Officer Cadet Olivia Perks.
An inquiry described a complete breakdown in welfare support and a culture of inappropriate relationships between instructors and cadets.
In Sandhurst Women: Leading the Fight, senior staff at the academy speak candidly to BFBS Forces News about the need for it to improve.
“It was an institution under rightful scrutiny,” Major General Zac Stenning, Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, says.
“It was an institution that was being forced to look at itself both by the Army and the nation.”
Major Kirstie Deakin-Maine, Second in Command Intermediate & Senior Term at Sandhurst, said:
“Both here at Sandhurst and the wider Field Army were really keen to engage and to stop this from happening again.”
Watch Sandhurst Women: Leading the Fight on the BFBS Forces News website or YouTube channel. All episodes are available now.
Sandhurst Women: Leading the Fight | Episode One (youtube.com)
