Page 2 | Army recruitment of unemployed youth

MistressoftheDarkSide · 2025-03-19T19:43:42+00:00

Here pigeons, have a cat. According to the Express and Mail, Liz Kendall thinks that going into the forces would be a good idea for unemployed youngsters. Surprised this has apparently flown under the MN radar. I wonder where this is all going, she mused, with wide eyed faux naivety.

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:22

I mean, young unskilled people entering the army isn’t a new or novel concept. This has been the norm for decades. And it’s a great idea to do so.

Hotflushesandchilblains · 19/03/2025 20:22

There have always been more recruiting offices in poor areas. None of this is new.

BigDecisionWorthIt · 19/03/2025 20:22

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:13

They are losing more than they are recruiting because of people like my son. Who chose his gcses and trained physically to join the army, passed the aptitude and physical testing then had his application declined because he had hayfever in childhood. Hayfever. They declared him medically unfit and he can't reapply ever again. He really wanted to make the military a career but it wasn't to be.
So if they want more unemployed people to join, they better unclench on the vast list of medical conditions applicants are currently rejected for.

When did he attempt to go through?

From Nov, some outdated medical issues have been scrapped.

https://www.forcesnews.com/services/army/medical-rule-changes-could-give-hundreds-applicants-second-chance-serving

That's strange though as I've suffered hay-fever and got in fine.
Was it a specific trade/job in the army he tried for? Some specific ones have stricter restrictions eg like pilot etc

Hundreds of military applications reconsidered after 'outdated' medical checks scrapped

Defence Secretary John Healey announced potential recruits with conditions like acne or asthma will no longer be barred from serving.

https://www.forcesnews.com/services/army/medical-rule-changes-could-give-hundreds-applicants-second-chance-serving

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:23

Eyerollexpert · 19/03/2025 19:59

The ppl that think sticking young men in the armed forces will solve societies problems are in my opinion idiots. Yes if a young person is fit and WANTS to do it great. But if not why would the armed forces want young ppl who aren't committed , what will it achieve if they get kicked out after a couple of weeks, waste to tax payers money.
Same old record played again and again.

There’s always been people who couldn’t get through the six weeks basic training though. It’s par for the course

Original poster

MistressoftheDarkSide · 19/03/2025 20:23

MsNevermore · 19/03/2025 20:19

I have served.
I went in at 16, straight out of secondary school. I completed my GCSE’s in the June and started basic training the following January.
I’ll openly admit, I had pissed away my education (even though I was a more than capable student) and didn’t have many prospects outside of a minimum wage job in my hometown.
A pre-requisite at that time of joining up at 16 was that you would be expected to complete adult equivalents of maths, English and ICT GCSE’s, which I did. The army paid for me to get my Cat B and Cat C driving licenses. I took loads of voluntary courses that have continued to benefit me - personal finance, basic mechanics, medical training that’s provided me with everything just shy of becoming a paramedic. I saw some incredible places….and some really awful places around the world.
Also had a really solid salary for someone of that age.
BUT
I can also agree that recruitments tactics are quite predatory. I come from a family with a lot of ex-servicemen, and I feel like I had a pretty good understanding of what I was getting myself into. A lot of my colleagues in the early days really had no idea and dropped out like flies.
As for the people who love to bleat on about national service being a great idea? Ask anyone who’s actually served in the last 15ish years. The vast majority will tell you it’s a horrible idea.
When the shit hits the fan, I want the bloke next to me to be doing his job to the best of his ability because he wants to be there. Not because the government told him he has to be there so he’s not engaged with the job.
I’ll also argue that if the government want to increase the quantity and quality of their recruitment pool, then they need to get a grip of their “resettlement” packages when people get out. Because right now? They simply chew you up and shit you out. Depending on your time served, you might get a little golden handshake, but other than that? You’re on your own now. Figure it out.

Thank you for the kind of well reasoned and nuanced post, based in experience that the discussion needs. I appreciate your honesty.

OP posts:

nfkl · 19/03/2025 20:24

Young men in particular need physical activity to drain their energy, they need to face dangers to understand risk and the value of life, they need communal living and rules to understand how to not be selfish, they need to see a bigger picture of community and country to grow a sense of duty and loyalty, they need male role models.

Bring conscription back or something similar. Women tend to mature naturally, many young men rather real life, strong experiences to get the grow up memo. Modern life took that from them, hence the oversupply of manchilds and selfish cowards.

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:25

EmailFocus · 19/03/2025 20:09

Ds's boyfriend is a soldier, he joined when he was 16. They recruited from his school - didn't recruit at ds's (leafy suburb) school, which is telling. Ds's boyfriend is of mixed opinion (unsurprisingly), they have really helped quite a few kids gain some stability but he reckons he's one of the few who didn't grow up in a dysfunctional environment but they don't encourage you to apply for promotions or seeks them out because they have you by the short and curlies but he's ambitious so has pursued opportunities on his own. I think any job is better than no job - have experience of family members spending a year in their bedroom - that is the pits. And when he stays with us - ds's bedroom is absolutely spotless!

That’s good to hear as some people go totally army barmy and I don’t think that’s especially healthy

Longsummerdays25 · 19/03/2025 20:25

Brilliant idea!
They can learn discipline, order, hard work and new skills. I support this idea wholeheartedly.

Labour are really surprising me in a good way 💪🏻

LlynTegid · 19/03/2025 20:25

Thank you @MsNevermore for your insight.

Whilst I think that people should be able to leave school at 16 and go into work and begin a career, the forces are not for everyone. I would not wish national service to resume.

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:26

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:13

They are losing more than they are recruiting because of people like my son. Who chose his gcses and trained physically to join the army, passed the aptitude and physical testing then had his application declined because he had hayfever in childhood. Hayfever. They declared him medically unfit and he can't reapply ever again. He really wanted to make the military a career but it wasn't to be.
So if they want more unemployed people to join, they better unclench on the vast list of medical conditions applicants are currently rejected for.

Very strange! My DH served for many years on the front line and had horrendous hayfever all through his life.

Shinyandnew1 · 19/03/2025 20:27

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:13

They are losing more than they are recruiting because of people like my son. Who chose his gcses and trained physically to join the army, passed the aptitude and physical testing then had his application declined because he had hayfever in childhood. Hayfever. They declared him medically unfit and he can't reapply ever again. He really wanted to make the military a career but it wasn't to be.
So if they want more unemployed people to join, they better unclench on the vast list of medical conditions applicants are currently rejected for.

We had a friend whose son was desperate to join but because he'd been given an inhaler after a chest infection years ago, they decided he had asthma and wouldn't let him join. He wasn't ever given an inhaler after this and didn't get wheezy!

SwordOfOmens · 19/03/2025 20:30

LMFAO You know rhe army is funded by US, the tax payers right?

They might as well stay on benefits! Being trained up as a soldier costs way, way more! And you have to pay soldiers a wage.

Whammyyammy · 19/03/2025 20:30

My husband spent 30 years in the RAF, great security, seen the world and provided for our family, pay was pretty good too.
He loved every minute of it, and would do it all again.
On a more plus side he is also in receipt of a very good immediate pension.
Our son is also an officer in the RAF, loving it too.

MsNevermore · 19/03/2025 20:30

@MistressoftheDarkSide
I wish it was a simple, black and white thing, but it’s really not.
I served with people from so many different backgrounds - including a lot from really piss poor families, from deprived areas with a shit education. For some of them, myself included, the Army was the making of them. I don’t regret my choices. They’ve made me the person I am, and forever altered my view of the world and all the complexities of the people in it.
But others? Some of them really struggled. Mostly because of the rigid structure they’ve never experienced before. Sounds silly, but being told to do something you don’t want to do and having no choice but to do it really was an alien concept to so many of those kids!
Also when the actual reality of what the job entails hits, it’s a really hard pill for many to swallow. I don’t think it truly hit me until I was in a medical tent at bastion, cuddling a 2 year old while she had rpg shrapnel picked out of her back by one of my colleagues 😔 That broke me. Like really broke me.

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:32

BigDecisionWorthIt · 19/03/2025 20:22

When did he attempt to go through?

From Nov, some outdated medical issues have been scrapped.

https://www.forcesnews.com/services/army/medical-rule-changes-could-give-hundreds-applicants-second-chance-serving

That's strange though as I've suffered hay-fever and got in fine.
Was it a specific trade/job in the army he tried for? Some specific ones have stricter restrictions eg like pilot etc

Show quote history

It was 2023, he was a school leaver and he wanted to be in the royal engineers, he had no preference on role, just knew he wanted engineering/mechanics.
He's a very physically fit young man but had been prescribed antihistamine for hayfever aged 8/9. They weren't happy with it so it was a no.

He's gone into engineering anyway but at the time it broke his heart. We tried to appeal but were unsuccessful.

PaintDecisions · 19/03/2025 20:36

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:13

They are losing more than they are recruiting because of people like my son. Who chose his gcses and trained physically to join the army, passed the aptitude and physical testing then had his application declined because he had hayfever in childhood. Hayfever. They declared him medically unfit and he can't reapply ever again. He really wanted to make the military a career but it wasn't to be.
So if they want more unemployed people to join, they better unclench on the vast list of medical conditions applicants are currently rejected for.

Can I assume he was prescribed inhalers for his hayfever? It must have been much more than the basic hayfever to be an issue.

DH has just retired after 25 years in the Royal Navy. He was at serious risk of prison as a teenager given the way he was heading, but had always wanted to join up. He worked his socks off to get his maths up to scratch (flunked school, no GCSEs) and got in. He's left with 6 GCSEs, several higher qualifications and an immediate pension in his early 40s. He didn't get his LSGC medal though 😂 Knobber.

xanthomelana · 19/03/2025 20:36

What could possibly go wrong with forcing people who don’t want to be in the military to stand next to the ones that do? I feel for the people who signed up off their own backs.

JustCrackingThanks · 19/03/2025 20:37

MsNevermore · 19/03/2025 20:19

I have served.
I went in at 16, straight out of secondary school. I completed my GCSE’s in the June and started basic training the following January.
I’ll openly admit, I had pissed away my education (even though I was a more than capable student) and didn’t have many prospects outside of a minimum wage job in my hometown.
A pre-requisite at that time of joining up at 16 was that you would be expected to complete adult equivalents of maths, English and ICT GCSE’s, which I did. The army paid for me to get my Cat B and Cat C driving licenses. I took loads of voluntary courses that have continued to benefit me - personal finance, basic mechanics, medical training that’s provided me with everything just shy of becoming a paramedic. I saw some incredible places….and some really awful places around the world.
Also had a really solid salary for someone of that age.
BUT
I can also agree that recruitments tactics are quite predatory. I come from a family with a lot of ex-servicemen, and I feel like I had a pretty good understanding of what I was getting myself into. A lot of my colleagues in the early days really had no idea and dropped out like flies.
As for the people who love to bleat on about national service being a great idea? Ask anyone who’s actually served in the last 15ish years. The vast majority will tell you it’s a horrible idea.
When the shit hits the fan, I want the bloke next to me to be doing his job to the best of his ability because he wants to be there. Not because the government told him he has to be there so he’s not engaged with the job.
I’ll also argue that if the government want to increase the quantity and quality of their recruitment pool, then they need to get a grip of their “resettlement” packages when people get out. Because right now? They simply chew you up and shit you out. Depending on your time served, you might get a little golden handshake, but other than that? You’re on your own now. Figure it out.

My dad served for 18 years and im very proud of him and wanted to join up myself but my dad said no. It had nothing to with me being female but everything to do with how things had changed and he didn't want that life for me. He discouraged a few family members from signing up and those that ignored and did openly say they wished they hadn't.
My dad's marriage fell apart after leaving, he struggled to hold down a job and ended up working as a driver for the UN for a few years which meant he was away for long periods.
I think he has PTSD if I'm honest but support at that time didn't exist and now he'd never get help. Growing up life seemed exciting but now I understand why my parents are the way they are.
Yes he left with skills and has a good paying job but it's come at a much higher cost.

Original poster

MistressoftheDarkSide · 19/03/2025 20:37

MsNevermore · 19/03/2025 20:30

@MistressoftheDarkSide
I wish it was a simple, black and white thing, but it’s really not.
I served with people from so many different backgrounds - including a lot from really piss poor families, from deprived areas with a shit education. For some of them, myself included, the Army was the making of them. I don’t regret my choices. They’ve made me the person I am, and forever altered my view of the world and all the complexities of the people in it.
But others? Some of them really struggled. Mostly because of the rigid structure they’ve never experienced before. Sounds silly, but being told to do something you don’t want to do and having no choice but to do it really was an alien concept to so many of those kids!
Also when the actual reality of what the job entails hits, it’s a really hard pill for many to swallow. I don’t think it truly hit me until I was in a medical tent at bastion, cuddling a 2 year old while she had rpg shrapnel picked out of her back by one of my colleagues 😔 That broke me. Like really broke me.

Thank you for another insightful post - and I can't imagine how hard some of your experiences will have been. And at the risk of cliche, thank you for your service. Sincerely.

And I agree, it's not a simple subject. Which is why I raised it. Some people think it would be a quick fix to help balance the benefit books, and that's my issue with it in the current climate.

OP posts:

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:38

xanthomelana · 19/03/2025 20:36

What could possibly go wrong with forcing people who don’t want to be in the military to stand next to the ones that do? I feel for the people who signed up off their own backs.

Who’s talking about force? This is about recruitment. It’s like saying putting a job advert on LinkedIn is forcing people.

Iknowaboutpopular · 19/03/2025 20:38

PaintDecisions · 19/03/2025 20:36

Can I assume he was prescribed inhalers for his hayfever? It must have been much more than the basic hayfever to be an issue.

DH has just retired after 25 years in the Royal Navy. He was at serious risk of prison as a teenager given the way he was heading, but had always wanted to join up. He worked his socks off to get his maths up to scratch (flunked school, no GCSEs) and got in. He's left with 6 GCSEs, several higher qualifications and an immediate pension in his early 40s. He didn't get his LSGC medal though 😂 Knobber.

Show quote history

No, he was never given an inhaler.

minnienono · 19/03/2025 20:39

For some young people it’s an excellent idea, they have the opportunity to learn skills, a trade and get some work under their belt from which they can then leapfrog into the wider world of work. Many are in the armed forces for a few years before moving on.

it’s not right for all but it’s certainly something that those struggling to get a job can consider

0ohLarLar · 19/03/2025 20:40

I think this is ok if there are peacekeeping/logistics roles for pacifists who are not comfortable with anything combat related.

APATEKPHILLIPEWATCH · 19/03/2025 20:40

Also the nail biting over “forcing” re conscription doesn’t work like that in reality. I know people in Israel, where conscription is mandatory for all young people until at least 18 - 20. They WANT to join the Army, they look forward to it, and it’s not all frontline roles, some people are yoga teachers in the Army. The thought of it being “forced” is laughable to Israelis - and they have one of the strongest most efficient armies in the world as a result, high resilience in young people and have very low unemployment rates

reversegear · 19/03/2025 20:41

My elderly 80+ mum said all of today’s issues are due to a lack of national service. She also thinks women should do it too. I laughed, but I’m beginning to think she’s got a point.