Comment, analysis, news

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.

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.

Hidden in full sight: sex abuse covered up by cadet forces

04/07/2017

BBC News

BBC Panorama has uncovered evidence of repeated cover-ups of historical sex abuse in Britain's cadet forces.

Protesting Armed Forces Day in Liverpool

26/06/2017ForcesWatch comment
A tale of two cities: a personal reflection on the display of the UK's potential for armed violence on the streets of Liverpool alongside its more radical history. This article was originally published by Souciant Magazine.

Militarism the whole family can enjoy

23/06/2017

ForcesWatch comment

Local authorities have become the military’s promotional agents and recruiting sergeants. This article was first published in The Morning Star (archived version).