The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers have come under fire amid accusations that they have surrendered to political correctness. The outrage has occurred after reports have emerged that the corps is considering changing the name of the rank ‘craftsman’ which is its equivalent of ‘private’ as it is too gender-specific.
These reports have resulted in former military hierarchy describing the Engineers as ‘obsessing with identity politics’ and ‘abandoning tradition’. Many have questioned why the terms ‘craftsman’ and ‘craftswoman’ could not be used if a change was ever needed.
Reports are circulating that a memo has been put together that is headed ‘REME gender-free nomenclature’ and describes a willingness ‘to develop our skills and trades to remain appropriate, relevant and attractive to soldiers in the future, we have an opportunity to refresh some of our terminology’.
UNN’s Oliver Down understands that the rank of “Craftsman” has been a rank since the formation of the Corps in 1942 but an alternative is now being considered.
Colonel Richard Kemp who is an ex-commander of the British forces in Afghanistan has said: ‘The Army has several ranks incorporating the word “man”, for example, guardsman and rifleman. Like craftsman, which goes back to the creation of the REME in the Second World War, soldiers take fierce pride in these ranks which they see as giving them a unique standing within a large organisation. This sort of tradition is important in building esprit de corps so vital for fighting forces. Rather than obsessing with identity politics and abandoning tradition, the simple solution is to call male soldiers “craftsman” and female soldiers “craftswoman” as the RAF has done with the rank of aircraftman, with females now called aircraftwoman’.
An Army spokesman has responded to these reports by saying: ‘The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is gathering views on how its roles and trades are identified, as part of a broader modernisation strategy. As an inclusive employer, the British Army is committed to engaging openly with its soldiers, but no decisions have been made’.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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