Resources

Journeys in the Spirit: Quakers and the military

The youth edition of Journeys in the Spirit (number 19) provides a range of ideas to use with 12–18 year olds in a Quaker context.

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The Last Ambush? Aspects of mental health in the British armed forces

This report from ForcesWatch, shows that young soldiers recruited from disadvantaged backgrounds are substantially more likely than other troops to return from war experiencing problems with their mental health. It calls for the policy of recruiting from age 16 to be reviewed so that the greatest burden of risk is not left to the youngest, most vulnerable recruits to shoulder.

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Militarisation in everyday life in the UK

This event, held in London in 2013, brought together academics, writers, activists and campaigners who are researching, writing, campaigning on, or just concerned about the implications of the militarisation of everyday life in the UK.

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The military’s influence in UK education

by Emma Sangster in Sowing Seeds: The Militarisation of Youth and How to Counter It, War Resisters International, 2013

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‘Catch them young before the army loses them’

by David Gee in Sowing Seeds: The Militarisation of Youth and How to Counter It, War Resisters International, 2013

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Young age at Army enlistment is associated with greater war zone risks: An analysis of British Army fatalities in Afghanistan

This paper, published by ForcesWatch and Child Soldiers International, indicates that the risk of fatality in Afghanistan for British Army recruits aged 16 and completed training has been twice as high as it has for those enlisting at 18 or above.

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One Step Forward: The case for ending recruitment of minors by the British armed forces

This report published by Child Soldiers International and ForcesWatch outlines the numerous ethical and legal concerns related to rhe recruitment of under-18s, including the disproportionately high level of risk they face and long-term consequences for their employability, as well as detailing how much more it costs than recruiting only adults.

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Ministry of Defence statistics

The Ministry of Defence publishes statistics on a range of defence related topics.

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Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey

Published by the MoD It provides a tri-Service perspective of Service personnel attitudes, opinions and circumstances on important Service conditions. The survey is one of the MoD's main vehicles to collect attitudinal information; it informs changes to Service personnel policies across MOD.

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Ministry of Defence freedom of information releases

Disclosures under the FOI Act. Also see FOI releases published via whatdotheyknow.com

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Recruit Trainee Survey

An annual survey of trainees in the army, navy and air force. Covers background, perceptions of training and how the experience compares to perceptions prior to recruitment, facilities and food, support, fairness of treatment and hopes for the future.

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ForcesWatch briefing: Expanding the Cadets and ‘military ethos’ in UK schools

A ForcesWatch briefing on the Government policy of expanding cadets and promoting 'military skills and ethos' in schools.

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Mind the Gap: Education for minors in the British armed forces

Published by Child Soldiers International.This report concludes that the impact of recruitment below the age of 18 opens up a number of gaps that have long term significance, not only for the armed forces but also for the young people that they recruit. At a time of considerable downsizing of the army in particular, the large gap between the cost of training minors (who cannot be deployed operationally) and adults (who can) is difficult to sustain. But perhaps the most significant cost is in the detrimental impact that the gaps identified have on the future prospects of minors recruited by our armed forces.

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ForcesWatch briefing: Questioning the presence of armed forces in schools

This ForcesWatch briefing is for parents, students and teachers concerned with military activities in their school.

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