Army Recruitment In Schools.

[jambutty]

A row has broken out about whether the army, in particular, should be allowed to go into schools in high unemployment areas seeking recruits. Why just high unemployment areas?

As I understand it other employers go into schools to recruit so why not the army, navy and air force providing that the information given to the pupils is complete and not coloured a rosy tint.

The question is will a 16 years old be able to make such a life changing decision? Some will, some will not but there is a safety net in that a new recruit has 3 opportunities to leave during the first year if s/he finds that service life is not for them.

So yes! Why not?

[davo69]

Originally Posted by jambutty

A row has broken out about whether the army, in particular, should be allowed to go into schools in high unemployment areas seeking recruits. Why just high unemployment areas?

As I understand it other employers go into schools to recruit so why not the army, navy and air force providing that the information given to the pupils is complete and not coloured a rosy tint.

The question is will a 16 years old be able to make such a life changing decision? Some will, some will not but there is a safety net in that a new recruit has 3 opportunities to leave during the first year if s/he finds that service life is not for them.

So yes! Why not?

i think this is a good thing 16 year olds cant signe up anyway without parent consent so they would have to talk about it with parents

[Bonnyboy]

As said above, some kids will be mature enough to make an informed decision some wont. I would have thought that there will be some parental involvement in the making of any decisions as well as guidance from the teachers. I see no reason to stop the armed forces going into schools to raise awareness.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

As said above, some kids will be mature enough to make an informed decision some wont. I would have thought that there will be some parental involvement in the making of any decisions as well as guidance from the teachers. I see no reason to stop the armed forces going into schools to raise awareness.

No need to add to that totally agree Bonnyboy

[MargaretR]

If every employer sent recruiters into schools, there would be less time to spend on learning.

The fact that the Army needs to do so is a sad reflection on the fact that men are leaving the Army in droves due to the poor way in which they have been treated - eg. housing, pay, injury compensation etc.

[beechy]

is it not just another job opportunity ?
cant see any problem as all ready stated 16 year olds
would need parental permission

[garinda]

Having just read more about the story, this is all down to those left-wing nutters of the N.U.T.

BBC NEWS | Education | Teachers reject 'Army propaganda'

Perhaps they'll be arguing next for a more accurate portrayal of a career in the Civil Service, that a lot of the time might be boring, and you could end up with piles, or that farming means few holidays, and chapped hands.

Since the MOD say they don't recruit in schools anyway, this motion is both patronising to young people, as well as being misinformed, and is really more about political leanings of the N.U.T.

[cashman]

i think its a great idea, who the "row" has broken out between is obviously the sensible @ the cretins.

[davo69]

[[email protected];551656]If every employer sent recruiters into schools, there would be less time to spend on learning.

but maybe fewer young people without careers

[steeljack]

seems a bit unethical to me but the US military has access to our Schools records dept.(names , addresses etc.) and they usually contact the 17/18 yr olds on their home telephones , I also see them in their dress uniforms wandering around in pairs in the shopping malls where teens hang out and doing the recriutment spiel ......needless to say none of them doing the recruiting show any signs of battlefield injury ( facial scaring, amputation etc.)

[Nickelson]

Why not plenty of kids want to join the army all they are doing is helping kids.What about kids who dont get any GCSE's gives them a oppotunity to learn some life skills.

[polly]

The argument is that the Recruitment Services do not provide a true picture of life in the services and that they specifically target vulnerable youngsters. For vulnerable please read immature and often from homes where there is no parental guidance. Let me give you an example of how interested some parents are in their offspring, at a certain school not too far from Accrington only 4 parents turned up to represent almost 220 pupils.
Maybe if all pupils who attended these careers talks were accompanied by their parents there would be no problems? Personally I would rather this type of activity taken out of the curriculum and more time given to learning.

[JJ_]

I'll probably get a slating for saying this but I say bring on 'Boot Camp' and get the yobbo's of our streets, make men/gentlemen out of the thugs who are everyday either murdering, mugging etc...if these thugs want to kill put them on the front line! I dont see any harm in the Army Recruitment going into schools.

[LYNX1]

I must admit jj I do agree with you........and as for the kids joining up, it takes a long time approx 6 months of interviews and testing before they can be accepted into the armed forces so don't see what the do-gooders are whinging about.

[emzy]

I dont see the problem with them going into schools, its a career path at the end of the day like any other. Not one I would choose but I think its probably one that is often overlooked by many.