Comment, analysis, news

The Ministry of Defence has no place in our schools

07/10/2017

ForcesWatch comment

Children don’t need militarism. They need a decent learning environment, writes Rhianna Louise. Our piece in The Morning Star about the latest announcement of more cadet units in schools and the problematic social impact report that has been published to support this.

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

06/10/2017

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.

Innovation not conformity

06/10/2017

Dr Brian Belton and ForcesWatch

Dr Brian Belton, a leading international authority on youth work, gives his thoughts on the report: What is the social impact resulting from the expenditure on cadets? He argues that, 'the modern world does not require conformity, it demands innovation'.

Why We Must Take Children Out Of Military Environments

22/09/2017

ForcesWatch comment

With former 17 former Army Foundation College Harrogate instructors facing court martial for mistreating recruits- including actual bodily harm and battery, we look at the evidence that military environment facilitate threats to child welfare. This article was first published on Huffington Post

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

13/09/2017

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.

Arms companies and immorality in education

08/09/2017

ForcesWatch comment

As the largest arms fair in the world takes place in London, we explore how arms companies have become part of the education system in the UK, despite the concerns for human rights and corruption that surround the defence and security industry.

Make Art Not War… or both?

30/08/2017

Poppy Kohner

Poppy Kohner examines the Army@theFringe season at the Edinburgh Festival and asks what becomes censored when elite institutions take on the programming and hosting of the arts.  

British Army targets working class kids

13/07/2017

The Guardian and The Independent

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

Army recruitment practices exploit and widen class divisions

10/07/2017

ForcesWatch comment

New evidence confirms that the British Army recruitment marketing deliberately targets working-class young people.

Stripping the Civilian – how army training isolates, disorientates and dominates recruits

04/07/2017

ForcesWatch comment

New findings highlight need to protect young people from harsh military training environments and inadequate safeguards in cadet forces.