So pissed off at tories putting military youth groups into deprived area schools

[trashcanjunkie]

We live in Newcastle. Yes it's a deprived area. I feel aghast at the fact the only half decent comprehensive school in our area has a cadet group based at school, with fucking army wankers there recruiting kids. The whole army campaign to get them young and 'make them better people' boils my fucking piss. They're cannon fodder who will likely get shipped out to oil wars, and left up shit creek without a paddle, wanting for basic kit etc. Then they either get blown to pieces, die, or come home horrifically injured or psychologically shattered. Now the government are rolling out another military type program and are putting money into sending them into schools in deprived areas.

Fwiw I've nothing against youngsters learning discipline or survival skills etc. I just have an issue with recruiting cannon fodder from 'us plebs'....

[originalmavis]

Don't lots of schools have cadets? Dulwich and CLS boys do.

[DontCareHowIWantItNow]

Don't lots of schools have cadets? Dulwich and CLS boys do.

Yes they do.

[Osolea]

It's nothing to do with 'plebs' or deprived areas whatever you seem to think it is. There have been cadet groups in private schools, grammar schools and available out of school in affluent areas for decades.

There are lots of positive career options through the military.

[originalmavis]

I was desperate to join the sea cadets when I was a kid but mum made me go the the girl guides.

[Cutecat78]

They are closing down the youth service in my LA.

Don't knock it there's nowt wrong with a military career

[Purplestarssparkle]

They don't make them join the cadets however if a young person wants to they learn lots and get to go away for a few weeks in summer as well as weekends ( I was a instructor in the army cadets as well as being having served in the army )

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

osolea said what I was going to.

It's a positive move and gives the kids something to do. Military and police cadets have been around for donkeys years

[crumblybiscuits]

Then they either get blown to pieces, die, or come home horrifically injured or psychologically shattered
None of these are a given. Also you are aware that there are more roles in the army than on the front line, right? If taken advantage of correctly the army can provide people with life choices and opportunities they wouldn't be able to get into otherwise.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I drive through Repton on my way home from work and saw army cadets at the public school there. My DD is an army cadet and the people who run it are volunteers. She loves it, has no plans to join the army but it has given her opportunities that I would not have been able to give her otherwise. I think yabu.

[MintChocAddict]

Yes, but the cadets in private schools are more likely to produce prospective army officers than infantry soldiers so not really like for like.

I think a number of years ago the Scottish Parliament looked into the army trying to access schools in more deprived areas and there was concern raised about it. Not sure of the outcome though.

[Shutthatdoor]

It's nothing to do with 'plebs' or deprived areas whatever you seem to think it is. There have been cadet groups in private schools, grammar schools and available out of school in affluent areas for decades.

About to say the same thig

[tangerino]

I see CCF as primarily a private school thing which is being encouraged in state schools as it teaches resilience, team work etc. It's nothing to do with army recruitment, is it? (I know it's playing at being soldiers, but have yet to hear of anyone signing up as a result of CCF, unless they were the sort of person who always wanted to join the army anyway.)

[Nottodaythankyouorever]

Yes, but the cadets in private schools are more likely to produce prospective army officers than infantry soldiers so not really like for like.

Theye are in all sorts of schools tbf.

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

Most cadets forces at the bare minimum teach first aid and encourage participation in the d of e scheme.

If the military isn't for you may I suggest the St John's Ambulance service who also have a cadet force

[RubbleBubble00]

In the past its only been the private schools that have cadet groups. It's good kids can have access to same type of group esp if homes not great so they can't access groups outside of school.

I'm from north east and bloody loved air cadets. I went flying, learn how to pilot a glider, rocking climbing, map reading, canoeing, camps over the hols at bases. It was amazing for my confidence as a lass who had been badly bullied. I made life long friends, learned how to take pride in myself.

Some kids did go into the forces but most didn't but all became well rounded young adults

[blueemerald]

Being in the cadets and having an army recruiter come to your school are two vastly different things. I say that as an ex pupil of a sister school to Dulwich College with a very healthy CCF program (I was not a member but several friends were and there was never a mention of a recruiter visiting, plus these students go to University and join at a higher rank) and a current teacher at a school that was, until very recently, targeted by army recruiters.

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

Surely, though, in an area of high unemployment, anything that gives your child the edge is a positive? Even if it means they go into the military, so what, it's a bloody good career

[MintChocAddict]

Maybe so, but I'd be interested to know how many privately educated school leavers join the army as infantry soldiers who let's face it are the frontline force. Not many I'd bet.

[RubbleBubble00]

Ds is eyeing up sea cadets buts he's a bit young at the moment

[MintChocAddict]

That was to notodaythankyou

[crumblybiscuits]

You do get to choose what you go into you know.

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

mintchoc you are aware officers operate on the front line too aren't you?

[ontherightpath]

My son goes to a top independent school, they have a army, navy & RAF cadets. Lots of boys sign up and a military career is not seen as a bad thing at all. still don't want my son to sign up though

[CaughtUpNearTimbuktu]

If joining a cadet force gives the child the confidence and drive to knuckle down at school then what's stopping them becoming an officer too?

It's called aspiration