Militarisation of our society

Some pacifists do believe that defence is justified.
I would also object to the pacifists can kill..Perhaps more that they allow the killing of others to continue?

Kipling isn't an advisable poet to quote in support of war. He also wrote
If any question why we died
Tell them, because our fathers lied

Talking about his only son there, as well, wasn't he, trisher?

Yes- John, sometimes called Jack. He volunteered, urged on by Kipling, and died aged 19.

Wasn't he turned down a few times, because of poor eyesight?

I think Kipling actually pulled a few well-connected strings to get his son into a regiment when he was turned down because of his poor eyesight . No wonder he felt so bereft and remorseful when he was killed (battle of Loos?). He was only just 18.

Rudyard Kipling 'felt bereft and remorseful'..... apologies for the bad grammar

We would all like to see a world without weapons, no more wars or "conflicts" but that is not going to happen. If we are quoting people how about Edmund Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".

If we abandoned our weapons do you think ISIS (or whatever they are calling themselves these days) would stop killing those who disagreed with them, would stop their suicide attacks? I was once told by a Iranian friend that in his culture any show of kindness or restraint is seen as a sign of weakness to be taken advantage of.

Another quote Theodore Roosevelt "Speak softly and carry a big stick"

Pacifists make the choice as much as others and therefore cannot not slide out of the accusation of being complicit in the death of those who die by their decision.

There are things that can be done without resorting to war if the will is there. Did anyone see the last Poliakoff drama when Alfred Molina played he part of a foreign office official who had rejected the Germany army's offer to oust Hitler before the war? I did wonder if this had some truth in it and if the whole concept that there was no other alternative to WW2 was untrue.
I think we are led into wars because it suits the leaders not because it is essential

So,......there is no evidence in fact, for thinking that the UK is becoming Militarised, at all.

Pacifists can't be held responsible for others using weapons and wanting to fight wars.
Everyone has a choice, as you say.

Evidence that we are being militarised.

"These measures, along with continued Armed Forces visits to classrooms – around 11,000 a year – constitute, according to campaigners, a worrying militarisation of our schools and an indirect means of recruiting under-18s. “What we know from MoD documents is that recruitment is an aim of the Armed Forces going into schools,” says Sangster. “Schools provide a kind of captive audience of young people of recruitment age.” "

11,000 visits a year to classrooms. The UK is the only European country that enlists under 18 year olds.

That was from a report in the Independent, by the way.
We complain about other countries using child soldiers, but we train them here when they are 16. They go to fight at 18.

The UK is the only European country that enlists under 18 year olds

"Military Service (Section 10 of the National Defense Act): All male Austrian citizens between the ages of 17 and 51 are subject to compulsory military service. All males under the age of 35 must complete a basic military service program of six months' duration." Source: www.Austria. org - military service.

Cyprus: "In accordance with the provisions of the Law relating to National Guard, there is compulsory military service for all male citizens of the Cyprus Republic including persons of Cypriot descent on the male side, who are resident of the Republic. The obligation commences in the year the person becomes 18 and continues to the year of his 50th birthday. Voluntary enlistment from the age of 17 years"

France: "17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service); no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat military posts"

Source: www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats

Ireland: "17-25 years of age for male or female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; maximum obligation 12 years; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces; EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required"

Source: www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats

Luxembourg: "17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions; no conscription; Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg"

Source: www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats

www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/consulate-general-new-york/practical-advice/consular-information/military-service.html

They do not do any military service under the age of 18. They have to sign up when they are 17, but are not called until after they are 18.
It's a bit like in this country where you have to tell them you are 17 in order to register to vote, but you are not able to vote until you are 18.

Were your links supposed to be all the same, chewbacca?

There have always been visits to school by the armed forces, ditto from the police.

Lets be careful about this, what we consider military service is not at all what happens in France. The young people are often used to provide what might best be described as social services. For example a friend's son spent his time teaching English to immigrant children- nothing military about that.

So not a new thing at all.