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ForcesWatch comment

22/05/2018

We interviewed poet and campaigner Ambrose Musiyiwa for Peace News on militarisation in Leicester and how local people are acting to resist militarism.

A soldier gives a machine gun demonstration to a child in Leicester city centre.

Ethics not (military) ethos

25/04/2018

Former education minister Robert Goodwill has been tasked with drawing up a report for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the benefits of ‘military ethos’ in schools. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has suggested this could include ‘military academies’ in disadvantaged areas.

We consider the ethics of imposing an ethos from outside of education, especially when it serves interests at odds with the best interests of young people.

Watch The Unseen March for a critique of 'military ethos'

Support our work

Make a donation to our work or find out more about how you can help.

#ResistMilitarism on Armed Forces Day 2018

In the run up to Armed Forces Day on 30 June we provide background information on how this and other public events are part of a concerted effort to increase general support for the military amongst the public, stifle criticism and recruit young people. We list events that challenge the militarism of Armed Forces Day with messages of peace and resistance.

our projects

Advocating for change

ForcesWatch raises concerns about the recruitment of 16 and 17 year olds into the armed forces, the lack of recognition of conscientious objection and restrictive and unclear terms of service.

Does the military give young people a 'leg-up'? The armed forces and social mobility
This briefing explores claims that the armed forces are a sure route to social mobility and outlines ways in which enlisting in the armed forces can have a negative impact, particularly for very young recruits. See more

Military Out Of Schools

The armed forces visit thousands of UK schools each year, offering careers presentations, curriculum resources and other activities. The Department for Education are integrating activities with a 'military ethos' into Britain's education system. Should the armed forces be given access to children within education? Is the military's agenda and the promotion of 'military ethos' appropriate within schools?

Petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for scrutiny, guidance and consultation around armed forces visits to schools

The military in society

ForcesWatch monitor and challenge the promotion of the military as a normal part of everyday life. We believe that uncritical support for the armed forces stifles concerns about how young people are recruited and limits debate on alternatives to war.

see more on the military in society

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

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.

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War, militarisation and British democracy

A public meeting to launch a report by Paul Dixon, 'Warrior Nation: War, militarisation and British democracy'.

With Professor Paul Dixon; Professor Joanna Bourke, author of Wounding the World: How Military Violence and War-Play Invade Our Lives, and Fabian Hamilton MP, Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament.

Monday 25 June, 7-9pm (doors open 6.30) at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. All welcome. Organised by ForcesWatch. See details

'Our security' competition for schools & teaching resources

We are working with the Rethinking Security network and Quakers in Britain to develop school resources on 'our security'.

Take Action on Militarism: new website & resource pack

From the Take Action on Militarism event

Also see our longer film with speakers from the event on their work taking action on militarism.

Ask your MP to support raising the age of recruitment

See here

Watch on YouTube
A funny short film by a young boy on The Militarization of Boys

Watch this series of short fims on YouTube
16 or 17 and want to be a soldier? Watch this first.

British army: one young recruit's story, The Guardian 2013

Watch on YouTube
A 4 part investigation into 'the soldier myth' - talking to front-line soldiers about recruitment, training, fighting and coming home

Talks about militarism by David Gee and Ben Griffin from the Creeping Militarisation of Everyday Life conference.

A very short film about our work

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.

Teenagers voice their reaction to the military’s interest in their lives. See film and more info. With Welsh subtitles

selected resources

Answering difficult questions about militarism

A briefing exploring responses to questions about how much the armed forces should be involved in our everyday lives, how they relate to young people, and the effectiveness and consequences of military action.

Rethinking Remembrance in Schools

ForcesWatch 2016. This resource explores how teaching remembrance can encourage critical thinking about what and how we remember, and to help foster a culture of peace.

The Recruitment of Children into the UK Armed Forces: a critique from health professionals

Medact, 2016. This report outlines the health risks associated with young people in the armed forces and the developmental factors that suggest the recruitment age should be raised.

Soldiers at 16: Sifting fact from fiction

Published by Child Soldiers International, this short and accessible booklet addresses questions often raised about under-18s in the armed forces. Great when talking to your MP or for those thinking of enlisting!

A Remembrance Day assembly from the Peace Education Network

Part of the Teach Peace education pack

Conscience and Conviction

Quaker Peace & Social Witness resources for peace education: Conscience (primary) and Conviction (secondary).

Should the military be promoted in schools?

A ForcesWatch leaflet outlining the issues, 2017

latest news

Spring 2018 update

12/05/2018

See here for a PDF version with clickable links

See here for a PDF version for printing (2 pages, A4)

Harrogate abuse court martials

20/03/2018

On the day that the Harrogate abuse court martials were dropped and the press was allowed to comment after reporting restrictions were lifted, there was coverage in almost all the major news outlets. Our comments, and those of partner organisations, were also reported.

Military recruits: How MoD could be targeting your children

08/11/2017 STV

Scottish TV report on armed forces visits to schools in Scotland.

SNP adopt #MakeIt18

09/10/2017 Various

A passionate debate was held on Sunday 8 October at the SNP Conference on Raising the Minimum Age of Military Recruitment to 18. The motion was passed!

From the classroom to the frontline – schools must be careful what they teach kids about the army

26/09/2017 The Conversation

This article by Jonathan Parry. Lecturer in Global Ethics at the University of Birmingham, explores the dangers involved in miltary activity in schools and for the youngest recruits. It emphasises the moral risks and the 'moral exploitation' involved.

Academics: Armed forces are no place for 16-year-olds

12/09/2017 Various

A letter to the Guardian (12/09/17) from more than 50 academics has called for the age of recruitment ot the UK armed forces to be raised to 18. It backs a conference motion from SNP Youth in support of this.

British Army targets working class kids

10/07/2017 The Guardian and The Independent

The Army's latest recruitment campaign focuses on low income families from cities with high deprivation levels.

The First Ambush: Effects of army training and employment

04/07/2017 Veterans For Peace UK

A new report out today from Veterans For Peace UK details how the Army's training process has a 'forceful impact' on attitudes, health, and behaviour even before recruits are sent to war.