Originally Posted by
Jimlad1
"back in the day", Airmen made sense. Society has changed - 1 in 5 of the RAF is not male, so airmen seems inaccurate and innapropriate.
As usual the "of course there's no such thing as discrimination (mainly because I'm a middle class white male)" brigade are out in force getting worked up about a change that makes no impact or difference to their lives, but may make a meaningful difference to those who are serving now.
To those who say "but standards and in my day" - firstly, the operative phrase is 'your day' - that was then, this is now. Thank you for your service, but let those who are serving now express a view on what they want - your views are an irrelevance. Secondly, the RAF is always changing and has done since it was formed. The RAF you served in was so different to the one you joined, the one you learned about as a kid, and the one you left as to be a never permanent organisation - don't assume that because things were done a certain way once, that this continues to make sense.
Finally, you may wish to reflect on the impact your words have - you may want to get all angry and hit the keyboard moaning about snowflakes and diversity and how it was better when you were in - but please remember that in moaning, you are directly attacking the people who serve now. I personally think they deserve more respect than being insulted by yesterdays men who are unhappy with the idea of a very simple change.
Got it in one. Anything called progress tends to be an anathema for some...they probably quietly pine for the days of full kit inspections and closely examining "airmen's drawers, cellular " to ensure the creases are correct.
It's possibly a good idea not to use "trices" or "trixes" with regard to ladies however...these terms can often be preceded and evoke Freudian predilections .
But, so far, amidst all the frothing nobody has mentioned
the most important point.
Irrespective of the rank / job title the only real question, is....can they still perform their role professionally. ?
Presumably yes of course, therefore all the "woke" epithets and similar indignation is completely irrelevant because ultimately the
only thing that matters is that people can
still deliver and perform their professional skills and expertise when required to do so.