The sad case of nineteen-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck has exposed the deep problems that remain at British Army training establishments. Larkhill, where she was based, is essentially the training depot for all artillery training from guns to missiles and radar to drones. The fact that she was harassed by her boss there not only shows how the culture is ingrained in the institution, but also demonstrates the low standard of leadership at the base.
This case is worse than the Rafiq racism at Yorkshire CCC because it led to an unnecessary death. However, there are some similarities in the way it is being handled at the very top and I expect this will be used by the Government to change the culture in the Services by trying to appoint a woman to be the Head of the Army. However, as we have seen in the Metropolitan Police, having a woman at the head of an organisation doesn’t always solve the behavioural problems.
Larkhill Training Base
Rupert Wieloch 