There has never been a better time to join the Army Servicewomen’s Network and this vital organisation, which gives a voice to females of all ranks, is looking for men to be part of its committee too.
Co-chairs WO1 Hayley Cornforth (AGC (SPS)) and Lt Col Sam Dodge (RLC) told Soldier they are recruiting male soldiers into the fold to act as a “red team” during discussions.
“We want to make sure the decisions we make take both perspectives into account,” said Lt Col Dodge, who works in the Personnel Services directorate at Army HQ.
It doesn’t matter what level they are at – we just want a couple of people who can come along to our meetings and speak up about men’s views.”
The news comes as the network marks the tenth year since it was set up as an informal support group for female troops, outside of the chain of command.
At just over 6,000 members, a significant portion of the Army’s approximately 7,000 serving women have joined its ranks.
Some three months into her tenure as co-chair, Lt Col Dodge said the network continues to be a “safe space” to share issues and ideas while providing opportunities for coaching and mentorship and also giving advice to senior leadership.
Lt Col Sam Dodge
WO1 Cornforth, the regimental sergeant major at Worthy Down’s Defence School of Logistics and Administration, added that the chain of command should remain the first port of call for Servicewomen, but that the network was there to back them up.
“We still want people to feel they can go to their units with issues but if they can’t or aren’t comfortable doing so, we are there to help,” she said.
To join search “Army Servicewomen’s Network” on Facebook or Instagram, or look them up on Defence Connect.
