ForcesWatch scrutinises the ethics of armed forces recruitment practices and challenges efforts to embed militarist values in civilian society.
our projects
Book: confronting a culture of militarism
At a comfortable distance from warfare, our culture easily passes over its horrific reality in favour of an appealing, even romantic, spectacle of war. Yet, over the last decade, most Britons have opposed Western military ventures abroad. This book takes a fresh look at a culture of militarism in Britain, public resistance to it, and the government's prodigious efforts to regain control of the story we tell ourselves about war. See details & buy book
Film: Engage - the military & young people
Why does the military have a 'youth engagement' policy and why is the government promoting 'military ethos' within education? What is the impact of military activities taking place in schools? This short film explores these questions and gives teenagers the opportunity to voice their reaction to the military’s interest in their lives.
your questions
whats the problem with military recruitment?
what are your other concerns?
what should I think about before I join up?
what can I do about military recruitment activity in my school or community?
what have other people said about their experiences?
how do you respond to those who don't agree with you?
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Ask your MP to support raising the age of recruitment
- Contact information for your MP
- Ask your MP to support the campaign to raise the age of recruitment
- Ask your MP to read the Medact report
- Send this parliamentary briefing to your MP
- Watch 'Soldiers at 16: the other side of the story'
- Ask your MP to sign the Early Day Motion calling on the Government to review the recruitment age
- Sample text for contacting your MP
Scottish Parliament Petition
ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament to:
- scrutinise armed forces visits to schools in Scotland
- provide guidance on how such visits should be conducted
- ensure that parents are always consulted.
The petition is now being heard by the Scottish Parliament. See more info.
Rethinking Security
This report, published by the Ammerdown Group, May 2016, explores how we can best build long-term security for people in the UK and worldwide.
The report outlines concerns about the existing model, and offer a different vision for the future. Read more
A short film about our work
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Make a donation to our work or find out more about how you can help.
Donate £36 or more for a FREE COPY of our book 'Spectacle, Reality, Resistance: Confronting a culture of militarism' See here for details
A funny short film by a young boy on The Militarization of Boys
Contact us to get a free batch of these cards (or our other free materials) to distribute.
British army: one young recruit's story, The Guardian 2013
A 4 part investigation of 'the soldier myth' - talking to soldiers about recruitment, training, fighting and coming home
Action Man: Battlefield Casualities - watch the film and join the campaign to end armed forces recruitment at 16
Talks about militarism by David Gee and Ben Griffin from the Creeping Militarisation of Everyday Life conference.
Published by Quaker Peace & Social Witness with the ForcesWatch report, A critical response to 'The British Armed Forces: Learning Resource 2014'
The Unseen March - short film with former SAS Ben Griffin, activist Mark Thomas and educationalists on ‘military ethos’ in schools. With briefings, resources and action ideas.
selected resources
Conscience and Conviction
latest news
13/06/2017 Huffington Post
"Joining at 16 is massively psychologically damaging and issues of PTSD, suicide and depression are major issues for veterans, and more so for teenage recruits. I think it is hugely important the recruitment age is raised. I now work with Veterans for Peace as a volunteer educating young people on the realities of war and support advocacy group Child Soldiers International, who recently launched its Declare18! campaign, to get governments to raise the age to 18." By Wayne Sharrocks, former British Army officer
07/03/2017
See here for a PDF version with clickable links
See here for a PDF version for printing (2 pages, A4)
23/01/2017 The Independent
The UK is one of few countries that allow minors to enlist. Despite calls to cease the recruitment of under-18s the Army is digging in to hold its ground.
23/01/2017 Bella Caledonia
The new British Army advert is astonishing. Organised violence as antidote to anomie.
09/01/2017 Child Soldiers International
This series of 2-minute films by Child Soldiers International give a powerful insight into the reality of signing up as a young recruit, how training brutalises young soldiers and the long-term harmful effects of training and combat.
24/11/2016 Child Soldiers International press release
Figures released today reveal that the British Army has increased its intake of 16-year-olds in the past 12 months, defying calls from the UN, children’s rights organisations and others campaigning for an end to the recruitment of minors.
23/11/2016
Ask your MP to sign an Early Day Motion on The Recruitment of Minors into the UK Armed Forces. If you are in Scotland, ask your MSP to sign a similar motion on the Medact Report on British Armed Forces Recruitment.
23/11/2016 ForcesWatch press release
MSPs will consider what further action to take on a petition from ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland calling for increased transparency and scrutiny of armed forces visits to schools this Thursday (24 November).
