I'm recently ex Mil and now a Civil Air Trafficker. Saw this coming years ago whilst serving. Our Chief of the Air Staff was constantly being told by his "Advisors" that the Military was too male and too pale. The recruiters were subsequently giving priority to the ethnic minorities and females rather than the best candidate for the role. It hit the headlines when a Recruiting Officer quit stating that she was told not to recruit white male Aircrew... The press got hold of it and had a field day!
Unfortunately, the Op Tempo has increased recently due to the problems in the Middle East and Ukraine. My pals who are still in and pensionable are all leaving in their droves thus leaving behind a very young and inexperienced force who joined when the entry requirements had been lowered considerably...
My current role just like flying relies on all candidates being both skill and aptitude tested before, during their training and throughout their whole career. It's not unusual for us to be working alongside an ex Baggage Handler or Checkin Desk employee, they started there and worked hard, sometimes self funding to gain their necessary licences. Fortunately though its currently best person for the job when interviewing unlike the military in recent years...
