recruitment
Record number of protests against Armed Forces Day across the UK
28/06/2025
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
The politics of the military recruitment crisis
Young people are often a scapegoat for the diminished size of the armed forces but analysis suggests a far more complex picture, and a high level of risk and dissatisfaction for many of those that join.
Is Anti-Militarism Unpatriotic?
June 2024
On Armed Forces Day 2024, we examine the incentives behind these events. Where did Armed Forces Day come from and what is it trying to achieve? Armed Forces Day is a display of militarism. Branded as 'family fun' days, it fails to address the grim realities of war, and acts as a soft recruitment tool, allowing children to handle weapons and play on military vehicles.
Declining interest in Armed Forces Day welcomed by peace campaigners
29/06/2024
Peace campaigners have welcomed the news that there will be no national event for Armed Forces Day this year, as no local councils have come forward to host it. Local events to mark Armed Forces Day (29th June) this weekend are facing growing resistance from groups and individuals concerned about its uncritical portrayal of war and the armed forces.
Armed Forces Day
What's happening on Armed Forces Day this year. Download and/or order resources to use in your local community to challenge militarism.
Start Thinking Gamer: the British military’s new recruitment frontier
After the British Army pulled its planned Fortnite promo due to criticism it could target children, we explore how military recruitment is moving into the unregulated domain of online gaming.
Armed Forces Day 2023: militarism comes to Cornwall
This year the national Armed Forces Day event is being held in Falmouth, Cornwall. Many other events are being held around the country. We outline our concerns, including how the event is marketed, its promotion to young people and schools, and the inclusion of recruitment activities that allow young children to handle weapons.
Unpicking British Army recruitment adverts
The latest British Army recruitment advert received widespread critique for innaccurate depictions of the military's role in domestic floods. We took a look at the advert and its place in the recruitment landscape.
Overselling the Military
The British Army has a new recruitment campaign. We took a critical look at its message and how the latest iteration fits within the constant need to sell the military.
The Military-Entertainment Complex
With the new Top Gun movie hitting British cinemas at the end of last month, our chief blog writer Joe Glenton reflects on the war films of his childhood and the recruitment potential of military sponsored entertainment.