Air Force Objectives

The Royal Australian Air Force knows that a balanced team is a better team. We also understand that true gender diversity is an important tool for ensuring optimal capability delivery and a sustainable workforce into the future.

In recognition of this, Air Force recently introduced its ‘Gender Diversity Strategy’ targeting three main areas: development and growth opportunities, supporting new parents and flexible employment. The strategy has been designed to support all Air Force personnel through various stages of their careers, including junior staff, senior commanders, and men and women at every level of the organisation.

To meet the goals of the Gender Diversity Strategy, Air Force has recently:

Implemented a dedicated mentoring program for Air Force women
Afforded Air Force men and women the opportunity to attend a range of training and development courses, coaching sessions and conferences
Designed an Air Force Women’s Networking program to be facilitated at each Air Force base around Australia
Established a dedicated project team to create tools and strategies to help Air Force leaders to establish more flexible, innovative work practices in their organisation
Funded Air Force places on the ‘Working Parents Masterclass’ and ‘Working Parents Coaching Sessions’ to assist Air Force parents to better manage balancing family and working commitments, especially after the arrival of new family members
Implemented strategic ‘talent management’ practices which have been designed to enable women to develop the skills and experiences needed to progress to the highest echelons of the organisation
Commenced a series of initiatives designed to encourage higher numbers of women to pursue careers in the more technical areas of Air Force

In demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the three key areas targeted in the Gender Diversity Strategy, Air Force hopes to build its reputation as an employer of choice for all Australians. Through a transparent commitment to advancing women in the organisation, as well as supporting all stages of the employment life cycle, Air Force hopes to develop a more sustained and diverse workforce.

"The WLA Employer of Choice program represents a unique opportunity for Air Force women to network with women from other organisations to share ideas, discuss experiences and provide mutual support."

EOC Objectives

Through partnering with Women & Leadership Australia, Air Force hopes to provide our female leaders with development opportunities that will lead to personal and professional growth.

The WLA Employer of Choice program represents a unique opportunity for Air Force women to network with women from other organisations to share ideas, discuss experiences and provide mutual support.

The WLA development workshops and personalised coaching sessions will provide the supporting foundations that will help Air Force women achieve their career and personal goals. Further, Air Force hopes that our organisation’s participation in this and numerous other development programs, demonstrates our strong commitment towards developing and advancing our women leaders, now and into the future.

www.airforce.gov.au

Squadron Leader
Jo Brick
Legal Officer, Royal Australian Air Force

Squadron Leader Brick studied law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and is admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. She joined the Air Force through the undergraduate sponsorship scheme in 1997.

As an Air Force Legal Officer, she provides legal advice to commanders and their executive staff on matters such as the enforcement of military discipline, personnel management and the conduct of military operations. She has worked at the tactical through to the strategic levels of the Australian Defence Force.

She was responsible for formulating the legal framework guiding the employment of cybersecurity capability within a specialist Air Force unit. She was also part of a small team of ADF Legal Officers that worked on urgent legislative reforms to the military discipline system following a successful challenge to the validity of the Australian Military Court in the High Court of Australia.

Squadron Leader Brick deployed to the Middle East in 2004–2005 as the Legal Officer within the maritime surveillance detachment. She has recently returned from a second deployment to the Middle East (2010), where she was the Legal Adviser to the Australian Air Component Commander.

A significant career highlight to date is her attachment as the Legal Officer to Mentoring Task Force 1, an Australian Army unit based in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. During her brief time in Afghanistan, she participated in community engagement with the local judiciary and policing authorities to foster the rule of law within Uruzgan.

Squadron Leader Brick has a keen interest in international relations and security. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Intelligence and a Master of International Security Studies. She is currently undertaking training as a general aviation pilot and is working towards a private pilot licence.