Today I came across a news story that made me pause.
The RAF has announced that air crews who identify as vegan will now be able to wear uniforms and boots that don’t use animal products. You can read the full piece behind the Telegraph paywall.
My feelings are a bit complicated.
Read more below.
On the surface this feels like good news. People within the armed forces who hold ethical vegan beliefs have fought for years to have their rights recognised and now they are finally being taken seriously. Boots, belts and berets that don’t rely on the exploitation of animals will be available to them. That is a step forward and I support those individuals for pushing their cause until it was heard.
But if I am honest, I feel conflicted. I am a bit of a hippy pacifist and the armed forces do not sit comfortably with me. With so much violence and war dominating headlines every day, I find it deeply unsettling when stories about the military are framed in celebratory ways. The structure itself feels riddled with problems, from abuse within the ranks to its connection with toxic nationalism.
To me, the military represents a system that promotes separation and conflict rather than compassion and care.
So yes, I am glad vegans in uniform will not be forced to wear leather boots. Their beliefs deserve respect and accommodation, just as much as anyone else’s. But I cannot pretend I am thrilled about any development that normalises or bolsters the image of the military. The victory here is complicated. It is progress for vegans and a reminder that even in the most rigid institutions people can demand change. At the same time it forces me to reflect on my own values and how difficult it can be to support small wins within a wider system I find so damaging.
Mixed feelings all around for me. How do you view the situation?
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