before you enlist

Useful organisations & websites

AT EASE advice

AT EASE is an advice service to those in the armed forces and family members which has been running since the 1980s. It is staffed by volunteers. There is a telephone helpline or you can send an email. There is information on various terms of service issues and conscientious objection on the website.
Read more >>
Go the the AT EASE website
Before You Sign Up

Before you sign upAn independent website, setting out the pros and cons of enlisting in the UK armed forces. The site includes information and important questions for consideration for potential recruits to the Army, Navy/Marine and the RAF, those already in the forces, as well as parents and teachers. With many useful resources, including information on recruiting in schools and a lessons plan exploring issues around army recruitment, this site should be read by everyone before they sign up. 
Go to www.beforeyousignup.info

other things to look at

Before you enlist: the film
2011 update, U.S. 14 minutes

A 14 minute film made by the American Friends Service Committee and Veterans for Peace, updated in 2011. An informative deconstruction of a US army recruitment video and moving reflection on the effects of going to war. With testimony from a number of young and older veterans.
Read more >>
see the film on YouTube
AT EASE advice

AT EASE is an advice service to those in the armed forces and family members which has been running since the 1980s. It is staffed by volunteers. There is a telephone helpline or you can send an email. There is information on various terms of service issues and conscientious objection on the website.
Read more >>
Go the the AT EASE website
10 Excellent reasons not to join the military
2006

Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg (Editor) with Cindy Sheehan (Introduction)

 New Press

THE 10 REASONS
  • You May Be Killed
  • You May Kill Others Who Do Not Deserve to Die
  • You May Be Injured
  • You May Not Receive Proper Medical Care
  • You May Suffer Long-term Health Problems
  • You May Be Lied To
  • You May Face Discrimination
  • You May Be Asked to Do Things Against Your Beliefs
  • You May Find It Difficult to Leave the Military
  • You Have Other Choices
Go to the website
Thinking of Joining Up? Under 18? Some basic information young people need to know

If you want to join the Army make sure you know ALL the facts before you sign up.Don’t find out the hard way!

Information from AT EASE for young people and to be given to young people.
Read the info
Before You Sign Up

Before you sign upAn independent website, setting out the pros and cons of enlisting in the UK armed forces. The site includes information and important questions for consideration for potential recruits to the Army, Navy/Marine and the RAF, those already in the forces, as well as parents and teachers. With many useful resources, including information on recruiting in schools and a lessons plan exploring issues around army recruitment, this site should be read by everyone before they sign up. 
Go to www.beforeyousignup.info
Winter Soldier
2008

winter soldierThe Winter Soldier project, organised by the United States based group, Iraq Veterans Against War, details eyewitness accounts from Iraq and Afghanistan. Much of the testimony focuses on the individual soldier’s experience and how they felt about their participation and actions. Six episodes have been created for web viewing (or can be downloaded), e.g. Broken Soldier which tells the stories of 3 soldiers.
Go to the IVAW website
View the list of episodes
Listen to Veteran's experience
2007

There are many active veterans groups in the US. The Veterans’ Education and Outreach Project has produced a guide called Advice From Veterans on Military Service and Recruiting Practices. Although much of the information in the guide is mainly relevant to the United States, it does cover a number of important considerations for those considering enlisting in any army such as Conscientious Objection and War and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Read the guide