Leveraging diversity for military effectiveness: Diversity, inclusion and belonging in the UK and US Armed Forces

Abstract: In an evolving strategic environment, the Armed Forces need to effectively leverage all available advantages, including those stemming from their workforces, to maximise strategic and operational effectiveness. To support this effort, RAND researchers conducted a study to examine the opportunities for leveraging workforce diversity to enhance military effectiveness.

The study comprised a large-scale literature review as well as semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts and practitioners from the UK and United States to produce three outputs. Firstly, the study provided a framework to help guide the UK and US Armed Forces in their assessments of links between different kinds of diversity and military effectiveness, and how these links may be better leveraged in future. Secondly, the study team developed six vignettes illustrating the framework in relation to various operational and strategic requirements identified by the UK and US Armed Forces. Lastly, the study identified key implications and options for the Armed Forces as they consider leveraging the various operational and strategic advantages provided by diversity.

The study findings show that there are significant opportunities for leveraging workforce diversity to enhance military effectiveness across a wide spectrum of Defence activity. These opportunities cumulatively position diversity as a strategic enabler for the UK and US Armed Forces.