Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, ordered a complete stop of non-essential, non-operational activity in order to consider and reflect on the Army’s culture and inclusivity. Retired British Army officer, Colonel Richard Kemp, criticised the plan which he described to The Sun as a “navel-gazing and virtue-signalling exercise”.
It comes as US president Joe Biden approved the deployment of 3,000 American troops to eastern Europe amid a standoff with with Russia over Ukraine.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also considering whether to send 1,000 British troops to the region to shore up the defence of Europe’s borders.
Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backs pro-Russian rebels fighting government forces in the country’s eastern territory.
Moscow is demanding sweeping security guarantees from the West, including a promise that Nato will not admit Ukraine.
Washington has dismissed the demands, saying it would be up to Ukraine and Nato whether Kiev were ever to join the military alliance.
During the course, the Army’s 82,000 regulars will be encouraged to think differently.
Attendance is believed to be compulsory for all Army personnel unless they are on missions or carrying out essential duties.
Major General Paul Griffiths, head of Army personnel, said: “The British Army’s culture is built upon strong values, high standards and a sense of belonging to an effective fighting force.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave the Army’s top brass a dressing down last year amid fears discipline was collapsing and the Army had lost its focus.
It came after Kenyan police reopened an investigation into the murder of Agnes Wanjiru, 21, who was last seen with a British soldier from a nearby military base.
Her body was dumped in a septic tank at a hotel in Nanyuki, Kenya, where she had been entertaining soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in March 2012.
What do you think of the ‘inclusivity’ training? Join the debate in the comments section
A soldier allegedly confessed to the killing to his colleagues one of whom reported it to senior officers at the time – but no action was taken.
Mr Wallace ordered full co-operation with the Kenyan authorities investigating Ms Wanjiru’s death.
More Stories
Uncover the Mysteries: Detective Pack’s New Jack the Ripper Tour Debuts in London’s Whitechapel
Local Gem in Bailieborough : Rave Reviews for The Bailie Hotel with Irish Hospitality
Why I Went To England For Almost Six Months To Study Castles