ForcesWatch » The military in education & youth activities

The UK armed forces visit thousands of schools each year. They offer career presentations, curriculum resources and other activities aimed at promoting the interests of the military and long-term recruitment. Since 2012, the Department for Education have promoted ‘military ethos’ programmes such as cadet units in state schools and ‘alternative provision with a military ethos’.

The armed forces and arms companies are increasingly involved in the provision of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities for school and college students. and they also sponsor a number of careers-led secondary schools. The armed forces also now sponsor youth organisations like Girlguiding and Scouts. See more here.

Should the armed forces by given access to children within education? How can we challenge their activities in schools and colleges? How can a more balanced view of the military be given to young people?

While there are claims that school involvement is not about recruiting young people, the Ministry of Defence has itself stated that visits to educational establishments are a ‘powerful tool for facilitating recruitment’.

In having contact with young people, the military aim to sow seeds in impressionable young minds. In 2007, the head of the Army’s recruitment strategy said, “Our new model is about raising awareness, and that takes a ten-year span. It starts with a seven-year-old boy seeing a parachutist at an air show and thinking, ‘That looks great.’ From then the army is trying to build interest by drip, drip, drip.”

The influence of military interests in education and youth activities raises concerns around:

recruiting activities in school
child welfare issues
the unrepresentative portrayal of the armed forces
weapons in schools
the need for balance in teaching controversial issues
the lack of balance with other providers
the lack of parental consultation and policy scrutiny
concerns around targeting disadvantage and prioritising over other youth activities and peace education
marginalising individuals and groups.

See our briefing on Military involvement in education and youth activities in the UK.

We recognise the importance of debate and critical thinking in helping young people make an informed choice about the military and its activities. This is particularly important for those thinking of a career in the forces, a uniquely risk-laden occupation. If the military are allowed to have a presence and influence in the UK education system then it should be balanced by a thorough exploration of opposing views and approaches, as demanded by the 1996 Education Act.

What we do

We provide information about the involvement of military interests in education and youth organisation.
We support those challenging this involvement in their local area.
We engage with decision makers to challenge this and promote a more balanced view of what a military career and military action involves.
We produce and highlight resources for peace and human rights education.

Useful resources

‘Catch them young before the army loses them’

2013

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

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

December 2012

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

ForcesWatch briefing: Questioning the presence of armed forces in schools

May 2012

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

Army recruiters visit London’s poorest schools most often

January 2010

This research published in 2010 has found that the army visited 40% of London schools from September 2008 to April 2009 and disproportionately visits schools in the most disadvantaged areas. The researchers conclude that, “the army's recruitment activities in schools risk jeopardising the rights and future welfare of the young people contacted.