Resources

Do we want militarised schools? Cadet forces, ‘independent’ evaluations and defence agendas in education

With the government's pledge to create more cadet units in schools we look at the politics of cadet force expansion, the research that has supported it, and what is wrong with militarising education.

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The politics of the military recruitment crisis

Young people are often a scapegoat for the diminished size of the armed forces but analysis suggests a far more complex picture, and a high level of risk and dissatisfaction for many of those that join.

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International antimilitarism

A round-up of our recent podcast series featuring activists working against militarism in Israel, the US and South Korea, dissenting voices from the Ukrainian war and the UK, and a Palestinian experience of militarised occupation.

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Is Anti-Militarism Unpatriotic?

On Armed Forces Day 2024, we examine the incentives behind these events. Where did Armed Forces Day come from and what is it trying to achieve? Armed Forces Day is a display of militarism. Branded as 'family fun' days, it fails to address the grim realities of war, and acts as a soft recruitment tool, allowing children to handle weapons and play on military vehicles.

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Armed Forces Day

What's happening on Armed Forces Day this year. Download and/or order resources to use in your local community to challenge militarism.

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Responding to military engagement in schools

This booklet produced by Quakers in Britain in 2022 asks how can schools meet their responsibility for the best interests of children and young people when engaging with the armed forces and weapons industry? It provides information, resources and ideas for countering military influence in schools.

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Armed Forces Day 2023: militarism comes to Cornwall

This year the national Armed Forces Day event is being held in Falmouth, Cornwall. Many other events are being held around the country. We outline our concerns, including how the event is marketed, its promotion to young people and schools, and the inclusion of recruitment activities that allow young children to handle weapons.

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Warrior Nation podcast: Unpacking Armed Forces Day

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Animated poem about the military recruitment of young people

A spoken work poem by artist Potent Whisper, animator Neda Ahmadi, and sound designers Torch & Compass on the military recruitment of young people. See more from CRIN on Should the armed forces recruit children under the age of 18? including a comparison to a recent army recruitment advert and a learning resource from the Quakers in Britain peace education team, to encourage critical thinking about armed forces recruitment and its relationship to human rights.

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Recruitment of children to the military in Welsh schools

A new report by Cymdeithas y Cymod, ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union examines the issue of military recruitment in schools in Wales – an issue steeped in controversy and on which the Welsh government made a series of commitments in a report published in June 2015, following a public petition submitted in 2012. Since then, little tangible progress has been made against those commitments, yet military recruitment visits to Welsh schools have continued undiminished. 

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Centre for Military Justice

The Centre for Military Justice provide access to free, independent, expert legal advice when dealing with serious bullying, sexual harassment, gender-based violence or other forms of discrimination, including racial discrimination, and to bereaved military families needing legal support and representation when dealing with the aftermath of a service death. The helpline number is 0203 848 6820 or contact them on email.

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Warrior Nation podcast – What’s wrong with Armed Forces Day?

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Webinar: Mobilising the crisis: Covid-19 and the UK military

This webinar was recorded on 10 June 2020. Leading critical military studies academics discuss the role and operation of the UK military in the COVID-19 crisis and, in the light of the #BlackLivesMatter protests, how militarism intersects with racism and public control at home and abroad.

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Warrior Nation: Militarism, War & Resistance

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Planning Remembrance Day events in your school

This guidance is based on five-years of research carried out by Oxford Brookes University and Brunel University London. It looks at how school leaders can approach discussing ethical themes related to conflict.

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