Every year the British Armed Forces visit thousands of schools, offering presentation teams, ‘careers advisers’, lesson plans, away days, one-to-one mentoring, interviews, and more. They also offer to support young people’s ongoing education, while Cadet Forces offer (almost) free clubs and activities for younger children to get involved with. Youth-oriented media, including films, television and video games, often seem to glorify the exploits of soldiers and armies around the world.

However, a recent survey investigating young people’s attitudes to the armed forces found that they are less positive in their views towards the military than older people. In another recent study, the Army expressed concern that the public’s lack of contact with the military meant that new recruits often do not understand what is expected of them once they enlist.

These seeming contradictions raise interesting issues around young people’s socialisation, education and career prospects. As the Armed Forces become more involved in mainstream education and after-school programmes, are young people able to make informed choices about the role the military plays in their lives?  Do they have access to other options?

Questions:

• What factors influence young people’s impressions of the Armed Forces?

• At what age and via what channels would young people typically encounter the Armed Forces in Britain?

• What techniques does the British Army use to recruit?

• What are the reasons young people would consider joining the Armed Forces?