News articles

Cardiff event on ‘Red Hand Day’ 2015: ‘Ban schoolyard recruitment’

On Red Hand Day (the annual international day of campaigning against the use of child soldiers), 12 February, 2015, a well-attended event at Cardiff's Temple of Peace called for an end to military presence and influence in schools and colleges in Wales. Featuring speakers from ForcesWatch and Fellowship of Reconciliation Wales, the event explored the nature of armed forces visits to schools and colleges in Wales, as well as the military's 'engagement' with young people in Wales more broadly...

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Military ethos – where’s the evidence?

Jon Boagey, operations director [at the National Youth Agency], asks why military ethos doesn’t seem to need evidence to get government funding.

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Army launches ‘rebranding’ and recruitment campaigns

The Army is launching a publicity campaign to keep its work in the public eye, following the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.

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Minister: cut teenage pregnancies with army cadets

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UK soldiers of 16 ‘too young’

THE children’s commissioner for England has accused the armed forces of breaching the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by recruiting soldiers from the age of 16.

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More questions raised about the ‘Military Ethos in Schools’ programme

The Department for Education has committed a further £3.5m to fund organisations building 'character' among school students, and £1m for research to find the most effective ways that character can be taught in schools.

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Armed Forces visit state schools as many as 20 times in two years

FOUR out of five of Scotland's state secondary schools had visits by the Armed Forces within a two year period, sparking claims they were related to recruitment.

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New report raises concerns about armed forces visits to Scottish schools

A new report published today shows that the armed forces visited four fifths (83%) of state secondary schools within a two year period, between 2010-2012. The report argues that the purpose of many of the visits is related to recruitment into the armed forces.

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YouGov poll finds that Britons tend to think less of the Army’s importance the younger they are

As the British Army struggles to recruit new soldiers, YouGov polling finds that Britons tend to think less of the army's importance the younger they are.

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Questioning the military’s presence and influence in UK schools and colleges

Did you know that the UK armed forces recruit 16-year-olds? Owen Everett from ForcesWatch explores the UK military’s wide influence in the education system and the concerns that arise from this.

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