in my views on the TA adverts

[Kinnane]

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

Why are you asking yourself questions? 'Tis very strange.

The current strength of the Britsh Armed Forces is approx 200,000. The 400 dead amount to less than .5% of its strength. Good odds.

Thanks to H4H and CombatStress the British Public is well aware of those injured. Unless you live in a bubble and never watch the news how could you miss it?

We are reducing the British Military (not just the Army) due to Government cut backs, a drop in defence spending and a reduction in requirement (drawdown of Afghanistan). Forces Personnel who are trained and experienced cost more, recruits cost less. Simple economics.

Oh and the advertising campaign is nothing new. the military have advertised for years, its just a new approach that is more realistic.

DS also mentioned that they receive a lot of information about injuries/death rates, see horrific photos and videos, and receive talks about mental health issues and where they can find help, on a very regular basis.

No one goes into this with their eyes shut.

Would I show pictures of the 400 dead(our Army only).

Sorry I know I keep saying this on threads like this, but it is not just the Army that have had fatalities. The RAF and Royal Marines have had personnel killed too.

Rant over

Saltire: I usually agree with you on that, but this thread is specifically about the TA. The number if wrong for TA. I can only find figures from last year, but the number of TA fatalities was then 28.

Unfortunately many people seem to the lack the understanding that "Army" does not cover all the Services.

My DH (RAF) gets very offended at being lumped in with the others

Thank you everyone!

I'm still not happy with the advert but understand that others might see it in a different light.

I particularly do not like the 'live' from a war zone. So many other things about the advert too ..... but it is clever and will no doubt reach its target group.

Right, I've just watched it through.

1. It's not an advert. It's a news report.
2. People had the chance to speak to TA soldiers and ask questions. Not sure how much more realism they could get?
3. Why don't you like 'live from a war zone'? Surely that shows exactly what it's like even if the soldiers on the stand were spinning the corporate line?
4. I have absolutely no idea where you're coming from. There are far more dangerous jobs out there. Should recruitment advertisements be focused purely on the fatalities in their line of work?

In an ideal world we wouldn't need an army. But it's not an ideal world, is it? Surely it's better than conscprition?

"1. It's not an advert. It's a news report.

This is not true.

------

The territorial army provided a live link to a base in Afghanistan during ITV's daytime adverts on Saturday afternoon. The advert, the first in the 'TA Live' series, features a real soldier at the base giving a tour of army vehicles. The series is aimed to encourage more people to join up to the army's voluntary wing..........................

So, on the advert bit which you object to and which is live from Afghanistan, how do you propose they show the 400 bodies?

Should they be asking the Forces Personel on the ground why they're looking to increase the TA by the number they're decreasing the regulars by?

Or are you saying that in order to get a better idea of what being in the TA involves they should get rid of the live bit altogether ( i.e. the bit where it shows what being in the TA involves)?

They don't just get to sign on the dotted line after watching a 30 sec video clip - as someone has said previously they get a lot more info before joining.

I really can't see how anyone is being misled??

The reason I get passionate about this is because a relative of mine is in the Army and has done many tours in multiple war zones.

I resent the implication that he was basically too thick to understand what he was getting into and joined up because someone said 'ooh look, you get to play with big guns'

Anyway apologies if I'm coming across a bit terrier like about this, but that is why.

You are, of course, perfectly entitled to be saddened by the advert/news report/whatever

Personally, I'm sad we live in a world where we're in Iraq/Afghan at all.

Surely anyone thinking of joining the Armed Forces are aware of the dangers, there are plenty reported through the media etc, so they will already have that information. Any advert promoting recruitment would be lacking if it did not show the other side of the coin and the positive things that can be achieved by signing up.

As for them glorifying war, sorry that is a fact of life untill someone somewhere can wave a magic wand and bring peace worldwide. So I for one am thankfull to all our service men and women for the protection they provide. Can't say the same for the Government who are making 5000 redundant..... shamefull!

There are many more adverts to come. I believe that they are brilliant adverts well thought out and produce and most likely will achieve their aim.

Brilliant ....yes......but I do not like them.