Join The Armed Forces? Look Before You Leap!
Every year over 4,000 young people aged 16 or 17 decide to join the army, convinced by slick advertising campaigns that a life of adventure, travel and 'being the best' might be worth a risky posting to Afghanistan when they turn 18.
Sadly, some young people leaving school without qualifications find that the army is the only employer that takes them seriously as potential employees. For some of these, the army is a way out of a miserable situation on the civilian jobs market.
Though this is by no means relevant for all our soldier boys, in certain cases, that decision to sign up can go drastically wrong…
Although under-18s are no longer sent to fight, the nature of army life is not fully represented in our TV adverts; which fail to really emphasise the stresses new soldiers face. Soldiers commonly gripe about long periods away from family and friends, a strict – often rough – disciplinary regime, and the loss of many of the choices and rights that civilians take for granted. These problems alone can place a huge strain on the young people who sign up, whether or not they're ever posted to places like Afghanistan or Iraq.
These problems would be easier to deal with if unhappy soldiers could give a month's notice and leave like in a civilian job - but once you're in the army, it can be very hard to get out. Although an under-18 recruit can leave during their first six months (normally during training), they then have no legal right to leave until (you might not believe this) their 22nd birthday at the earliest. It's no coincidence that 1,000 soldiers left the army at that age in 2009 – more than at any other age.
These legal obligations can trap a young recruit who finds army life falling short of TV-ad expectations for several years. Although under-18s can ask for special permission to leave, this isn't publicised to new recruits or their parents, it's not a legal right and it's not always granted. This is why it's very important that young people and their parents know as much as possible about life in the forces before even considering signing up.
The armed forces – it’s great for some, and not so for others. Either way, you are essentially contributing to a system that changes the lives of many around the world. So make sure you know what you’re signing up for before donning that uniform.
Words: David Gee. David is the founder of www.BeforeYouSignUp.info
Photo: Flickr user The U.S.Army
Sadly, some young people leaving school without qualifications find that the army is the only employer that takes them seriously as potential employees. For some of these, the army is a way out of a miserable situation on the civilian jobs market.
Though this is by no means relevant for all our soldier boys, in certain cases, that decision to sign up can go drastically wrong…
Although under-18s are no longer sent to fight, the nature of army life is not fully represented in our TV adverts; which fail to really emphasise the stresses new soldiers face. Soldiers commonly gripe about long periods away from family and friends, a strict – often rough – disciplinary regime, and the loss of many of the choices and rights that civilians take for granted. These problems alone can place a huge strain on the young people who sign up, whether or not they're ever posted to places like Afghanistan or Iraq.
These problems would be easier to deal with if unhappy soldiers could give a month's notice and leave like in a civilian job - but once you're in the army, it can be very hard to get out. Although an under-18 recruit can leave during their first six months (normally during training), they then have no legal right to leave until (you might not believe this) their 22nd birthday at the earliest. It's no coincidence that 1,000 soldiers left the army at that age in 2009 – more than at any other age.
These legal obligations can trap a young recruit who finds army life falling short of TV-ad expectations for several years. Although under-18s can ask for special permission to leave, this isn't publicised to new recruits or their parents, it's not a legal right and it's not always granted. This is why it's very important that young people and their parents know as much as possible about life in the forces before even considering signing up.
"It's no coincidence that 1,000 soldiers left the army at that age in 2009 – more than at any other age".An increasingly popular independent service for young people, parents, teachers and youth workers called www.BeforeYouSignUp.info tries to provide balanced information on the pros and cons of forces life. While official recruitment literature glosses over the risks, difficulties and legal obligations of forces life, www.BeforeYouSignUp.info tries to give both sides of the story. There's also a feedback page, where anyone can have their comments published on the fairness of the site (click on the link for more details).
The armed forces – it’s great for some, and not so for others. Either way, you are essentially contributing to a system that changes the lives of many around the world. So make sure you know what you’re signing up for before donning that uniform.
Words: David Gee. David is the founder of www.BeforeYouSignUp.info
Photo: Flickr user The U.S.Army
(3 votes)
Fantastic, much-needed