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Together and proud in the RAF
Charlotte Davies and Ali Brookes
Ali Brookes and Charlotte Davies are two lesbians who have been working in the RAF since 2001. They first met through one of the RAFââ¬â¢s many spo
"The RAF is a great career regardless of your background, race, religion, gender or sexuality. "
What are yours and Charlotte's ranks in the air force? When did you join?
Ali: I started training in the RAF in February 2001, as soon as I could after the ban on recruiting lesbian and gay personnel into the service was lifted. I graduated from RAF College Cranwell in July of that year, and I’m now a Flight Lieutenant working in the RAF Police and Security branch.
Charlotte: I joined in May 2001 and after basic recruit training at RAF Halton moved trained as a Weapons Technician at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering. I graduated in October 2002 and currently hold the rank of Senior Aircraft Woman (SAC).
What does your job involve?
Ali: When I am employed within my normal branch, I’m employed as a police and security specialist. This can be anything from being the subject matter expert on an RAF Station; to advising the Station Commander on the best way to provide security for his personnel, equipment and the infrastructure of the Station.
I can also be employed as a police investigation supervisor; writing security and policing policy; being an instructor at the Defence Police School or being employed in specialist appointments with other government departments.
There's also plenty of opportunity to be employed in military operations overseas and I’ve worked in several countries in the Middle East in support of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
At the moment I’m working outside my normal specialisation as an instructor at Cranwell, where I teach leadership and military skills, and develop the officer qualities of officer cadets undertaking Initial Officer Training.
Charlotte: I’m currently part of a squadron which runs the station bomb dump. This includes the storage and maintenance of explosives and preparation and delivery of different weapon types when required.
My current job title is Training Co-ordinator. I organise all the weapon preparation training for personnel deploying in support of UK military operations. This includes personnel from all over the UK as well as my own squadron.
The squadron also provides personnel to support all the weapon preparation in the Middle East as well as any training exercises both in this country and abroad.
What’s a typical day in the airforce for you? Is there, in fact, a typical day?
Ali: No two days are the same - that's the appeal of the RAF lifestyle. Whilst you have skills and knowledge in a specialist area, you are faced with daily challenges that require you to use your resourcefulness and flexibility to find innovative, workable solutions to a myriad of situations.
There are so many different things you can get involved with that it's virtually impossible to get stuck in the same old routine and every day brings a new experience.
Charlotte: Most days start the same for me but all that can change in one, thirty-second phone call.
My job is the most diverse on the squadron. I can start the day doing paperwork and organising training courses.
By the end of the day I might be driving a forklift truck, loading bombs onto a trolley to be delivered to one of the flying squadrons.
The next day I may be packing to go somewhere hot and sandy.
What is life like for an out LGBT person in the airforce? Have attitudes changed over the years?
Ali: I've never had any negativity shown towards me. I think that's because I've always been quite open with my sexuality but have not made an issue of it or drawn attention to my situation.
If people are inquisitive and ask questions then I'll happily answer, but other than that I don't make a point of highlighting my preferences. At the end of the day, it has no impact on how well I do my job so it's simply a non-issue.
Attitudes have definitely changed and the incidence of non-tolerance of LGBT personnel is very low. The RAF is committed to its robust equality and diversity policy. There’s a comprehensive education package and formal grievance procedure in place to ensure that the rare incidents of negative behaviour are dealt with swiftly and effectively.
Charlotte: I have never had any problems towards my sexuality whilst being in the RAF. Everyone I have worked with has been very supportive and understanding. My sexuality has nothing to do with how good I am at my job and everyone I have met agrees.
I feel attitudes have changed over the years. In the RAF most people know someone from the LGBT community whether that be a serving member of the RAF, a friend or a relative.
What were your colleagues' reactions when they heard of your relationship, and then your marriage?
Ali: Our colleagues were all supportive when we told them of our relationship; both of us were out at work so everyone was aware of our situation anyway and they were just happy that we'd both found someone that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with.
We had our Civil Partnership Ceremony in December 2005 and we've lived in Service Family Quarters since then without any hint of negativity towards us.
Charlotte: When we announced we were having a civil partnership there was a lot of explaining to be done, as most of my colleagues didn't know what a civil partnership entails and how it would affect us.
Would you recommend the air force as a career for a young lesbian or gay man?
Ali: Absolutely! There are so many different jobs available and the sports, adventure training, education and personal development opportunities open to you are fantastic. The RAF is a great career regardless of your background, race, religion, gender or sexuality.
I can't imagine getting anywhere near the job-satisfaction in any other career and I am certainly intending to stay in the Service until they force me out on my fifty-fifth birthday!
Charlotte: Definitely. You do not get treated any differently and there are so many varied jobs to do and opportunities to experience.
