The proportion of ethnic minorities within the UK Regular Forces has increased steadily in the last few years. This growth, however, has only taken place within ranks other than officers. The proportion of ethnic minority officers has remained stable since 2002.

Source: DASA National Statistics website 2004

Since 1996 the MoD has been working with the Commission for Racial Equality to promote racial equality practices and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination and harassment in the Armed Forces. In 1998, the MoD and the Commission for Racial Equality signed a five-year Partnership Agreement.

The MoD, the Army, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have all won several awards for their commitment to addressing racial equality including the Race for Opportunity Benchmarking Model, the Best Diversity Practitioner, the Gold Award for Best Diversity Practice by a Government Department, the 1998 British Diversity Awards and the 1999 Windrush Awards.

Source: MoD website – equal opportunities 2005 (current information on equal opportunities in the MoD is available on the MoD website)