read on the changing the law

Parliamentary mental health inquiry shows youngest military recruits and those from disadvantaged backgrounds face greater mental health risks than others in the forces
25/07/2018 ForcesWatch press release

The Defence Select Committee recommended that the Ministry of Defence ‘conducts or commissions further research into female personnel, early Service leavers and recruits under 18 to determine the extent to which they are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions.’

ForcesWatch, mental health, recruitment age, risks, UK Parliament
Harrogate abuse court martials

On the day that the Harrogate abuse court martials were dropped and the press was allowed to comment after reporting restrictions were lifted, there was coverage in almost all the major news outlets. Our comments, and those of partner organisations, were also reported.

bullying and assault, human rights, legislation and policy, recruitment age, risks
SNP adopt #MakeIt18
09/10/2017 Various


A passionate debate was held on Sunday 8 October at the SNP Conference on Raising the Minimum Age of Military Recruitment to 18. The motion was passed!

recruitment age, Scotland
Academics: Armed forces are no place for 16-year-olds
12/09/2017 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.

legislation and policy, recruitment age, Scotland
British Army targets working class kids
10/07/2017 The Guardian and The Independent

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

advertising, Child Soldiers International, ForcesWatch, recruitment, recruitment age, risks
As A Teenage Soldier I Was Numb, Focused On War And Ready To Kill The Enemy
13/06/2017 Huffington Post

"Joining at 16 is massively psychologically damaging and issues of PTSD, suicide and depression are major issues for veterans, and more so for teenage recruits. I think it is hugely important the recruitment age is raised. I now work with Veterans for Peace as a volunteer educating young people on the realities of war and support advocacy group Child Soldiers International, who recently launched its Declare18! campaign, to get governments to raise the age to 18."  By Wayne Sharrocks, former British Army officer

legislation and policy, recruitment, recruitment age, risks
ForcesWatch update Spring 2017

See here for a PDF version with clickable links

See here for a PDF version for printing (2 pages, A4)

cadets, ForcesWatch, legislation and policy, military in schools colleges, military in society, recruitment age
The militarisation of schools
23/01/2017 The Independent

The UK is one of few countries that allow minors to enlist. Despite calls to cease the recruitment of under-18s the Army is digging in to hold its ground.

Child Soldiers International, childrens rights & welfare, education, ForcesWatch, militarisation, military ethos, military in schools colleges, recruitment, recruitment age, risks, veterans, Veterans for Peace UK
This is Belonging
23/01/2017 Bella Caledonia

The new British Army advert is astonishing. Organised violence as antidote to anomie.

ethics, ForcesWatch, military in schools colleges, public relations, recruitment, Scotland
Army defies child rights campaigners, intensifies intake of 16-year-olds for riskiest roles
24/11/2016 Child Soldiers International press release

Figures released today reveal that the British Army has increased its intake of 16-year-olds in the past 12 months, defying calls from the UN, children’s rights organisations and others campaigning for an end to the recruitment of minors.

Child Soldiers International, equality, legislation and policy, recruitment age, risks, terms of service