Deepcut – another verdict; still more questions….
18/07/2018
Today is a significant day in the Deepcut tragedy. We explore some of the problems that allowed the toxic environment of Deepcut to develop and continue to persist today and why raising the age of recruitment would provide a significant part of the solution.
ForcesWatch comment
Misguided aim of weapons show
14/07/2018
ForcesWatch comment
The following letter was sent to the Sunday Times and a version is published here.
The concerted effort to increase the power of the military across society must be challenged
30/06/2018
ForcesWatch comment
As support for the military is paraded in streets across the UK at Armed Forces Day events, politicians charged with fighting the military's corner are waging their own war on public and political opinion.
This article was published in The Morning Star on 2 July 2018
Warrior Nation – ‘the hidden power of the military’
29/06/2018
ForcesWatch comment
The apparent threat by the Defence Secretary to bring down the Prime Minister should she fail to stump up more billions for the armed forces formed the background to the launch of a major new report on 25 June.
Warrior Nation: War, militarisation and British democracy examines the relationship between recent conflicts and the wider power of the military in society and politics.
War Hurts Everybody
29/06/2018
Leicester for Peace
Leicester for Peace report on their 'War hurts everybody' vigil at Leicester Armed Forces Day on was 23 June.
Warrior Nation – how the power of the military challenges British democracy
25/06/2018ForcesWatch press release
A new report by a leading defence academic reveals how a 'militarisation offensive' – which began in 2006 to create support for the Afghan war - has increased the military's influence on British politics and society. (2)
The armed forces and special schools
12/06/2018
Concerns we have raised with the Scottish Parliament about armed forces activities in special schools have been picked up by The Daily Record newspaper.
ForcesWatch comment
My thoughts exactly: UK army accused of dictating soldiers’ press statements
09/06/2018
The army has been accused of manipulating teenage soldiers by spoonfeeding them identikit quotes to be used in local and regional newspaper articles extolling life in the military.
The Guardian
UK military school audit reveals teenage recruits at risk
09/06/2018
Drive to fast-track late joiners at AFC Harrogate led to issues including skewing staff/student ratios in dangerous activities.
The Guardian
British army ads targeting ‘stressed and vulnerable’ teenagers
09/06/2018
The British army has targeted recruitment material at “stressed and vulnerable” 16-year-olds via social media on and around GCSE results day, the Guardian can reveal.
The Guardian