Warrior Nation – how the power of the military challenges British democracy
25/06/2018ForcesWatch press release
A new report by a leading defence academic reveals how a 'militarisation offensive' – which began in 2006 to create support for the Afghan war - has increased the military's influence on British politics and society. (2)
The armed forces and special schools
12/06/2018
Concerns we have raised with the Scottish Parliament about armed forces activities in special schools have been picked up by The Daily Record newspaper.
ForcesWatch comment
My thoughts exactly: UK army accused of dictating soldiers’ press statements
09/06/2018
The army has been accused of manipulating teenage soldiers by spoonfeeding them identikit quotes to be used in local and regional newspaper articles extolling life in the military.
The Guardian
UK military school audit reveals teenage recruits at risk
09/06/2018
Drive to fast-track late joiners at AFC Harrogate led to issues including skewing staff/student ratios in dangerous activities.
The Guardian
British army ads targeting ‘stressed and vulnerable’ teenagers
09/06/2018
The British army has targeted recruitment material at “stressed and vulnerable” 16-year-olds via social media on and around GCSE results day, the Guardian can reveal.
The Guardian
News coverage of the Scottish Parliament’s report on armed forces visits to schools
04/06/2018
With the publication of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee report on our petition on armed forces visits to schools, there has been substantial coverage in the news.
Ministry of Defence misleading public over armed forces visits to schools
04/06/2018ForcesWatch comment
With the publication of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee report on our petition on armed forces visits to schools, there has been substantial coverage in the news (see our round-up). The Ministry of Defence have said a number of things in response that are very disputable – this blog outlines some of the evidence.
Scottish Parliament recognises child rights and welfare concerns around armed forces activities in schools
04/06/2018
Quakers in Scotland and ForcesWatch welcome the recommendations made in a report from the Scottish Parliament about armed forces activities in schools.
ForcesWatch and Quakers in Scotland press release
Resisting militarisation in Leicester
22/05/2018
ForcesWatch and Ambrose Musiyiwa
We interviewed poet and campaigner Ambrose Musiyiwa for Peace News on militarisation in Leicester and how local people are acting to resist militarism.
Ethics not (military) ethos
02/05/2018
ForcesWatch Comment
Former education minister Robert Goodwill has been tasked with drawing up a report for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the benefits of ‘military ethos’ in schools. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has suggested this could include ‘military academies’ in disadvantaged areas.
We consider the ethics of imposing an ethos from outside of education, especially when it serves interests at odds with the best interests of young people.