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Soldiers Told To Avoid Words Like ‘Lad’ Under New Inclusivity Drive

Soldiers Told To Avoid Words Like ‘Lad’ Under New Inclusivity Drive

Words like 'mankind' and 'sportsmanship' are to be avoided because they're gendered.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

British soldiers attached to the 22 Engineer Regiment have been reminded to ensure their language is as gender neutral or as gender inclusive as possible.

The Regiment's sergeant major told the fighters they need to uphold the Army's values and standards (said a V and S) as well as diversity and inclusion (referred to as D and I) when speaking to each other over video calls.

According to the Daily Mail, the leader said: "There has been a drop in V and S over the last few weeks... Saluting/bracing up [coming to attention]... make sure people are getting paid the correct compliments.

"All are to remember D and I [diversity and inclusion] - 'gents', 'men', 'lads' and other phrases are not to be used."

The 22 Engineer Regiment provides 'essential armoured engineering support to the British Army and 20 Brigade'

The MoD website adds that 'as well as being trained soldiers, combat engineers and tradesman, our regiment is equipped with some heavy duty capabilities, such as the Titan and Trojan armoured vehicles'.

Soldiers attached to the Regiment have been warned to avoid gendered language even if there are no females present.

PA

The Daily Mail adds that recruits have been urged to avoid words like 'mankind' and 'sportsmanship' because they are also subtly gendered.

Commentator Piers Morgan wasn't one bit happy about the suggestion and warned it won't do anything to encourage inclusivity.

"Anyone that easily offended should not be in the British Army," he wrote on Twitter.

But there were plenty of people on the social media site who appeared to be happy at the idea of the Army being more wary of their language.

One user said: "Could it be that the regiment in question is trying to be more inclusive of the female officers? Are you against female soldiers?"

Another added: "Think for a women's view of being the sole female in a meeting. If the commanding officer is using c'mon lads this, well done lads that, it is easy to feel excluded. Overall the laddish culture is something lads should be encouraged to grow out of by the time they join the Army."

The British Army lifted a ban on women serving in close combat units in 2016. Two years later, women were allowed to apply for all military roles.

There is also a gender and age-neutral fitness test in a bid to ensure everyone is treated the same.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News