It is sometimes useful to look at both the pros and cons of positive discrimination (or affirmative action as it is also known):

Arguments against positive discrimination:

• Sometimes it can be (or appear to be) discriminatory against those who are not part of the disadvantaged group. If negative discrimination is wrong (e.g. depriving someone of an opportunity because of their gender or ethnic background), all forms of it are surely wrong? (this is an argument presented in the video above)

• Some military roles cannot be undertaken by those without certain physical capabilities.

• Despite trying to remove divisions, such policies can be seen to be divisive by singling out one group of people for special attention.

However, on the other side:

• If you agree that a society’s armed forces should try to reflect the society they are serving, then due to the barriers that many people from disadvantaged groups face, it is very difficult to make this happen without some form of positive discrimination or affirmative action.

• Because the military is a "bottom-fed" system, relying on people coming in as junior personnel and staying in the organisation long-term before there are any changes, nothing will actually change without proactive intervention (this is the argument presented by Cdre Press in "Royal Navy sails into a major diversity challenge", link below).

• Positive discrimination can be a way of maximising a military’s capability by recruiting good people that would not normally have had a chance. It can also positively influence the military’s position in society.

• Is there any reason why someone with some kinds of disability (such as a lost limb due to military service) cannot carry out supporting roles?

Lisa Lines, ‘Representativeness and positive discrimination’ in (ed.) Deane-Peter Baker, ‘Key Concepts in Military Ethics’, (University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, 2015)

Is affirmative action a good approach against discrimination https://netivist.org/debate/affirmative-action-pros-and-cons

"Royal Navy sails into a major diversity challenge" https://diginomica.com/royal-navy-sails-head-major-diversity-challenge