in my views on the TA adverts

[Kinnane]

I feel anger/sorrow/sadness when I see these adverts.

Why?

Why?

Why

Oh me too. I hate that they particularly target towns with high levels of deprivation for their cannon fodder too.

In my opinion the army do a good and valuable job, but I do think if you advertise a job where there is a chance of being injured or killed you should let people know about that.

Why do I feel anger/sorrow/sadness when I see these adverts?
The reason is that these adverts glorify war. In my view they make the army look like an adventure. When I see the slogan on the tv adverts ' live' footage
'Afghanistan' .......I feel they should show the horror that is war!

I agree with the OP, although I'd have to argue against Tiggy's point. Everyone knows that you've got a much higher chance of being injured or killed in the army than in another job. Surely?

Army isn't all about war though is it?
There's a lot of peacekeeping too. Training exercises, experiences, education.

And surely no one needs to be told that if you join there's a possibility with you being killed.

I don't find it sad at all. I think being in the military, whatever your opinions of war, is something to be proud of. Being in the army isn't easy.

My dh used to be in the army and we travelled a lot. There's good bits and bad bits, but its all part of being in the military.

In areas of deprivation the army offers a real way of improving your career chances. I know lots of people who had few options, joined the forces and have had excellent career development and support. I do not think they are picked to be cannon fodder, they do a valuable job and actually now the way war has changed a lot of old fashioned 'green' soldiering is on the way out and you are more likely to be trained up in IT. They are having a big push on cyber and intel at the moment.

I don't think they target places with high levels of deprivation. There are recruiting offices in all sorts of places, and there are TA units all across the country.

They show what is actually happening. They are factual adverts and much better than the original "To be Frank" ads that showed soldiers waterskiing, windsurfing and surrounded by a bevvy of beauties on the beach.

They don't 'Glorify' war and quite frankly the Army is an adventure compared to civvy street. No-one who is 'Anti' Army is suddenly going to change their mind and join up based on a couple of adverts.

Plus it used to be that in AFCOs it used to be serving military personnel who staffed them so they could give you some idea of what it was like.
Not sure how it will work with this new company "Capita" in charge

It's already complete cake and arse Saltire - bloody stupid idea that will lead to unsuitable recruits and even more guys leaving/changing trades in Basic.

Just out of interest, is it the job where you most likely die? I read recently a shocking statistic about fishermen having the most dangerous job. Was that not including the forces?

According to this www.personalinjurysupport.org/5-dangerous-jobs-uk it's not even in the top 5.

Kinnane None of the soldiers I know need your anger, sorrow or sadness, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

My dh left school with no qualifications due to bullying and dyslexia. After a few years of menial job he joined the army. He now has a mulititude of qualifications and more importantly he finally enjoys learning. He is hoping to do a degree at some point.

It is very doubtful that this woud have happened if he hadn't joined the military plus he has the added benefit of enjoying his job.

So we needn't worry!!
OK to recruit 16 year olds - who are little more than children?

They don't go into active service at 16 tho??

And to join TA it's 18

Either the kids round this way are more canny than the rest of the country but a lot of them sign up to the regulars when they leave school knowing they will get training, a trade, get away from home - then they don't enlist at the end of training but are deemed far more employable - and they have matured a great deal. Plus they are getting paid a reasonable wage rather than going to college or apprenticeship money.

You can join at 15 and 3/4.

I think they are a sold a lie!