Army recruitment & funding

[PeridotSparkle]

Lots of people arguing that our army is underfunded. And too small. As threats to the UK increase.

I am totally anti war of any kind. As I presume most people are.

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this view...?

I am totally anti war of any kind. As I presume most people are.

So you’re a pacifist?

Maybe you think we should get rid of our armed forces and remove all possibility of defending ourselves. Good thing my parents’ generation didn’t take your view.

I'm wondering what people's views are of the discussion being had by our politicians, that our army should be bigger. What are your thoughts on that?

I'm incidentally saying I think war is a bad thing. I don't think people shouldn't kill other people. Perhaps that's controversial. But it wasn't my question.

Whips sorry for typo.. "Should" not "shouldn't".

so no war in any circumstances? Do the Ukrainians have a right to defend themselves?

I don't think OP said anything wrong being anti- war . Aren't most people ? My husband was in armed forces and certainly was anti-war .War is not a good thing I'm anti-war I certainly didn't enjoy my husband going to Rwanda ,Bosnia or Iraq . But sometimes we have to fight for peace .
The numbers left in the armed forces are a joke .

Do you think we need a bigger army? Right now?

The size of the Armed Forces (not just the Army) needs to be decided based roughly on what sorts of conflicts we think we might become involved in in the next 20 or so years (you have to look in to the future, because it takes time to commission and produce kit, and to recruit and train the personnel you need to conduct the operations).

The stance was basically that UK was unlikely to do anything without involvement of close Allies (except continued defence of Falkland Islands, and maybe evacuations of civilians from non-permissive environments)

What has changed is the risk of NATO fighting a revanchist Russia.

Plus of course whether we want to defend major international shipping routes

Only the dead have seen the end of war.

We need a bigger Armed Forces, not just Army

Thank you for answering the question and to your husband for his service.

I don't know anyone who has been in the armed forces and wants to go to war.

I just have no idea how we assess what size our armed forces need to be. Do we take everything Putin says seriously?

That makes sense. Thank you for explaining.

TLDR: We live in a sad world where people use violence and having no good quality defence deterrent would be very dangerous for UK.

I come from both military & fervent peacenik people. I wish humans weren't so innately aggressive.

Completely agree.

Best way to secure peace is have an army strong enough to win the war

I think we’ve got complacent with our reliance and alliance with America and I agree the size of our armed forces now is not adequate, after years of budget cut and layoffs.

On the recruitment side. My husband is in the military, I’ve noticed that a lot of his friends, like him, joined because they want to get out of where they’re from. Armed forces provided opportunities, training, structure and a career for them. None of them actually want to actively fight but accept if someone was to fight us, they’re signed up to protect their country.

One of my son's lovely friends wants to join up. He wants to do the training to be fit and strong and protect his family - Dad's not around and Mum's disabled. He's the eldest of 3. Breaks my heart to hear a 14 yr old talking like this tbh.