military in society
Armed Forces Day, Camo Day and promoting military ethos
Today is 'Camo Day', established by SSAFA Forces Help to encourage school children across the country to 'dress up like our troops' as a fundraiser. 'Cam your face, wear green or come to school as a soldier, sailor or airman.' Camo Day is a non-uniform day to fit these increasingly militaristic times when supporting the armed forces is a badge of honour for celebrities and military involvement in the education system is commonplace and uncontroversial. Camo Day promotes the value of helping ex-service men and women but also reinforces military activities as fun, normal and desirable. Questions about why so many young men and women are killed or maimed or in need of welfare are unlikely to be explored.
Open letter to the London Olympic Organising Committee expressing concern at involvement of Armed Forces in the Games.
29/06/2012Pax Christi
Pax Christi
Missiles ‘could be fired to protect Olympics from terrorist attack’
30/03/2012the Telegraph
the Telegraph
Missiles could be fired in London to protect the Olympic Games from terrorist attack, Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, announced yesterday.
Report of Inquiry into National Recognition of our Armed Forces
May 2008
Published by the Labour Government in 2008, the report made forty recommendations for 'increasing visibility', 'improving contact', 'building understanding' and 'encouraging support' for the Armed Forces.
Army to increase security at London 2012 Olympics
06/01/2012The Telegraph
Up to 6,000 troops could be drafted in as security guards at the 2012 Olympics in London, as officials reassess the manpower needed to cover next year's Games, it has emerged.
Surface-to-air missiles for Olympics
06/01/2012British Forces News
Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect the skies over London during the Olympics, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today as he insisted "all necessary measures" will be taken to ensure security.
response to Armed Forces Day
25/06/2011ForcesWatch letter to the press
ForcesWatch letter to the press
Today [Saturday 25 June] is Armed Forces Day, one of the clearest examples of the creeping militarisation of British society.
Poppy Appeal is a political tool to support current wars
21/11/2010Wales On Sunday
Wales On Sunday
The true meaning of the poppy is being forgotten as it becomes a political tool to support current wars, a former elite soldier has claimed. Ben Griffin, the first SAS soldier to refuse to go into combat, also said the use of the word "hero" to describe soldiers glorified war and was an "attempt to stifle criticism" of conflicts the UK is currently fighting.
Poppies and ‘Heroes’
21/11/2010The Guardian
The Guardian
A letter from veterans of a number of conflicts about the the Poppy Appeal and the idea of 'heroism' that it promotes was published in The Guardian and The Independent.
The BBC: Poppies and presenters
12/11/2010BBC
BBC
An editor at the BBC explains how they have no policy that presenters have to wear a poppy but that they do give 'guidance' on wearing them,