Abstract

This article examines the extent to which socio-economic background affects the chances of promotion to senior ranks within the Royal Navy and how the upwardly mobile often faces a “class ceiling”. The researchers collected quantitative data within the Royal Navy. The research found a disproportionate over-representation of officers from socio-economically advantaged backgrounds, creating a homogenous upper echelon and self-selecting elite hierarchy. The authors argue for the systematic collection of socio-economic background data and longitudinal analysis to focus efforts towards engendering the conditions for social mobility and the ability to quantitatively assess the impact of policy changes on future social mobility outcomes. The research contributes to understand contemporary social mobility issues and is the first quantitative analysis of Royal Navy officers’ socio-economic backgrounds. The research provides perspectives on which other armed forces (including the US) that face diversity issues could reflect. The paper repositions military issues in mainstream academic discourse.