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ForcesWatch comment

The education system is not the place for militarised training of children

10/01/2012: Michael Gove is again talking about extending the cadet forces within schools, this time with the support from the Schools Commissioner (and a senior advisor to the Education Secretary)....Why is the military considered uniquely able to develop a ‘spirit of service’ or promote a disciplined approach? Why does the Schools Commissioner regard Cadet forces amongst a small handful of activities that are seen as broadening the curriculum and offering more opportunity with state schools? Who is being served by children in schools doing drill in the school playground or taking part in adventure activities?

our projects

The Armed Forces Bill 2011 & human rights

Every 5 years Parliament passes an Armed Forces Act which provides the basis for military law in the UK. ForcesWatch has been working with others to raise concerns, including the recruitment of 16 and 17 year olds into the armed forces and the lack of discharge rights to all under 18 year olds, the lack of recognition of conscientious objection, restrictive and unclear terms of service and lack of political rights.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: In June 2011, the government announced that it would give teenage soldiers the right to leave the armed forces up until age 18 if they are unhappy. This is a significant improvement Legislation came into force in July. Additionally, the legislation allows for a possible reduction in the notice period of 12 months for those aged over 18. Read more here.

Poppy Politics

In recent years, remembrance of those who have suffered in war has been made inseperable from supporting 'our heroes' active in recent and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the debate this year, a number of veterans have expressed concern that the poppy is becoming politicised on the one hand and increasingly like showbusiness on the other.

your questions

whats the problem with military recruitment?

ForcesWatch believes that armed forces recruitment practices in the UK are largely unethical. The military are reaching out to children and young people using sophisticated strategies to interest and involve them in military activities which do not deal adequately with the risks of an armed forces career but tend to glamorise and sanitise war. The military also fail to adequately inform young people of the legal obligations of an armed forces career.

See here for more.

what are your other concerns?

Taking an active part in conflict involves serious ethical questions regarding the justification of killing and the political purposes of military action. The armed forces fail to adequately address these concerns during recruitment and for serving personnel.

The more government and national initiatives which are created to show support for the armed forces, the more difficult it will become for individuals and society to reflect on the ethics of conflict and peaceful alternatives. See here for more

what should I think about before I join up?

There are ethical questions and questions about why you really want to join up and about what risks you face and what happens if you decide you want to leave. There are some very useful independent sources of advice about your legal situation as a member of the armed forces and other issues. We also have a selection of materials looking at some aspects of what it is like to serve. See here for more.

what can I do about military recruitment activity in my school or community?

The military make visits to many schools and colleges and are also active at local events. If you are unhappy about the presence of the military in your community, here are some ideas of how to address it and some materials to use. See here for more.

what have other people said about their experiences?

Very often the most useful insights into what it is like to be involved in anything is to hear directly from other people about what they have experienced. Here are some accounts of both what it is like to serve in the armed forces and what it is like to challenge the presence of the military in a community. See here for more.

how do you respond to those who don't agree with you?

We don't expect everyone to agree with us but we think there is significant cause for concern about military recruitment practices and about the way that a climate of uncritical national pride in the armed forces is being fostered which makes debate about the activities of the armed forces difficult to question. We think there should be more room for that debate. See more here.

support conscientious objectors

Conscientious objector, Michael Lyons has been released (9 Nov 2011). Michael, a medic in the Royal Navy, was sentenced to 7 months detention on 5 July 2011, for 'wilful disobedience' for not taking part in rifle training while his request for discharge as a conscientious objector was proceding. Read more here.

Read more about Michael's case and our work to get more recognition for the right of conscientious objection here.

subscribe to the ForcesWatch email list

Stay in touch with ForcesWatch by subscribing to our announcement list.

Veterans for Peace UK is a new organisation for veterans of the armed forces committed to opposing war through nonviolent means. Veterans for Peace UK are available to speak at schools and events.

An installation of poppies in St Paul's Cathedral marks the continued involvement of children in war, despite its practice being declared illegal by the UN.

Countering the militarisation of youth

An International Study Conference in Germany in June 2012 looking at nationalism and patriotism, the culture of militarism, military recruitment strategies, military masculinities and the military in public spaces and schools. See more

Speak to your MP and ask them to sign the Early Day Motion 781 on Under-18s in the Armed Forces urging the Government to raise the minimum age of recruitment to 18 years in line with recommendations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. See more

latest resources

report

International Standards on Conscientious Objection to Military Service read

Military Out Of Schools edition of The Broken Rifle

read

audio

The Kill Factor - these BBC radio programmes explore the effect of killing on people in the military, how many are unable to kill and others live with the effects of having killed for the rest of their lives.

read

legislation and conventions

The Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 gives new rights for recruits under 18 to be discharged if they wish to leave and a potential reduction in the notice period for adults. read

organisation

Veterans for Peace UK: a new organisation for veterans of the armed forces committed to opposing war through nonviolent means. Veterans for Peace UK are available to speak at schools and events. read

film

Before You Enlist film: a must-watch for young people read

book

The Skinback Fusiliers: a novel about the rigours of army life based on the real experiences of 3 young men.

read

guidance

AT EASE advice service to those in the armed forces and family members read

make contact

We look forward to input from many different individuals and groups and welcome ideas, comments and suggestions. Please use the contact form to email us.

support our work

You can make a donation to our work here or find out more about how you can help.

latest news

Gove backs cadet forces in schools

09/01/2012 Press Association Military-style cadet forces could be introduced to all secondary schools in a Government bid to boost standards and discipline.

Military cadet forces in every school, says schools commissioner

08/01/2012 The Telegraph All secondary schools should have a military cadet force in the drive to raise standards, according to a senior Government education official.

Surface-to-air missiles for Olympics

14/11/2011 British Forces News Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect the skies over London during the Olympics, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today as he insisted "all necessary measures" will be taken to ensure security.

The red poppy: a compromised symbol?

12/11/2011 Ekklesia "The growing compulsion to wear a red poppy and to acquiesce in the remodelling of its purpose has diverted our attention from the more enduring and demanding aspects of remembering the destruction, personal, collective and environmental, which is the outcome of military action."

I wept as I comforted our soldiers maimed in Iraq': How could I tell them Blair's 'just war' was an illusion?

12/11/2011 Daily Mail "We can best pay tribute to their sacrifices by ensuring that in the future no British sailor, soldier, Marine or airman is asked to lay down their life except for the most urgent and honourable of causes."

Not just waving poppies, but drowning thought

11/11/2011 Ekklesia "There may well be a boom in poppy sales, but the act of Remembrance itself has been cheapened by a failure to back up words with action, particularly when it comes to successive governments' care for victims of war, but equally in terms of the appalling the lack of resources put into peacebuilding."

MPs criticise Ministry of Defence for continuing to send children to war

10/11/2011 Child Soliders International The MoD is criticised for lowering standards since WW1 and despite thousands of planned redundancies, it still recruiting children at twice the cost of adults.

Poppy chatter is a distraction from remembrance of the living

09/11/2011 The Guardian Whatever one's stance on poppy-wearing, let us also not forget the ex-servicemen who survive – but only just

Army to increase security at London 2012 Olympics

04/11/2011 The Telegraph Up to 6,000 troops could be drafted in as security guards at the 2012 Olympics in London, as officials reassess the manpower needed to cover next year's Games, it has emerged.