“I have worked in many countries from Iraq to the Falkland Islands, located off the east coast of Southern America, however it has not stopped me from maintaining a work-personal life balance. Alongside the RAF’s welfare support, my Partner and two children have been extremely supportive of my career. So much so, that now both my children are inspired by my life and want to join the Royal Air Force as well.”
In 1989, Sergeant Shelly Farthing was living in Bedford with her parents who did not realise the importance of an education and neither knew what she wanted to do in her life. Her mum believed it was better if she stayed at home and settled down into a marriage.
But the 17-year-old Farthing wanted to see the world beyond the gloomy skies of the UK. Although her family did not completely approve of a woman pursuing a career in the armed forces, she recalls the support she had received from within the organisation.
“When I was 17 years old, I did not know much about the RAF. I did not have any family members in the organisation and there was no internet in those days, so I barely knew anything about it.
“I realised that I wanted to get into the logistics department at the RAF. They informed me it was 9 weeks of training and then 16 weeks learning to do my everyday job, taught me life skills of working in teams. It was a fantastic opportunity for me, getting paid for my work whilst learning at the job at the same time.
“Nobody looked at me for the colour of my skin or my religion. They identified me as someone who can do her job well. And that is how I have been with the organisation for the last 30 years now working shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues such as Warrant Officer Balbir Singh Flora among others,” explains Sgt Farthing.
As an RAF Logistics specialist, she now provides support in the movement of serviceable equipment necessary to be in the correct location, to keep the aircraft flying. From fixing the RAF aircrafts to managing elements of the whole supply chain including the purchasing and storage of equipment and fuel, she plays a vital part of the team. Logistics Officers are the custodians of the supply chain in the UK and on exercises and operations overseas.
Presently, she works in the admin department with two other fellow female officers and estimates that on the whole there are over 70% female and 30% male colleagues in her field. As part of her career, she has been posted to countries such as Iraq, Falkland Islands, Turkey and Malaysia. Working in these countries has not meant that she was unable to grow and balance her personal life. Defying the misconception in the South Asian community that women cannot pursue an active career in the armed forces, she emphasises,
“I am a living example of how women are equally capable as men in their roles at armed forces. It does not mean we compromise on our personal lives. If anything the RAF ensures that we focus on both.
“Alongside the RAF’s welfare support, my Partner and two children have been extremely supportive of my career. So much so, that now both my children are inspired by my life and want to join the RAF as well.
“It is competitive, but it is a healthy competition. And usually, we are more competitive during sporting events rather than at work. We have courses to build our confidence and leadership styles which gives us a higher awareness of communications and team-building that makes RAF a unifying success.”
The RAF offers incredible opportunities for every individual irrespective of their gender when it comes to prospective careers. It is not just about flying in the frontline but one can trained in a wide range of careers from Intelligence Analyst to working as part of the RAF media, Chef or in HR.
“Do not let your fears define your future, sometimes you have to take that leap of faith. I did and there is nothing better in life than being in a job you love and feel appreciated and valued,” Sgt Farthing concludes.
