Armed forces for gap year

No one contributing here wants war. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world run by pacifists and I’m sure that won’t happen in our lifetimes.
We need to defend ourselves. Putin and Trump are contributing to a less stable, secure Europe.
We need our military. A military career isn’t for everyone but no one is suggesting it should be.
I find the references to trained killers rather offensive. My father was a Royal Marine in ww2. He ran up the beaches in Sicily in July 1943, as a 19 year old who had been trained to kill. He was a good man, gentle, calm, reliable, loving, kind and more. Thank goodness so many volunteered to fight that war which we hoped would end wars.
I watched Nuremberg recently. The comparison with the 1930’s was striking

We are an army family, still have an AC serving.

There is far more to modern day UK Forces than being taught how to kill and destroy the enemy.

Most service personnel come out with a Trade and/or skills which are transferable into civilian life.

I find the references to trained killers rather offensive

I agree.

And cannon fodder. WW1 terminology.

GrannyGravy13

We are an army family, still have an AC serving.

There is far more to modern day UK Forces than being taught how to kill and destroy the enemy.

Most service personnel come out with a Trade and/or skills which are transferable into civilian life.

I agree, I hate this stereotype people have of soldiers merely being paid killers and thugs and being able to do anything after they leave the army. The army isn't just infanty, tanks and the SAS, you can quite easily go in and learn a trade that will be useful in later life. Most ec soldiers I know have transitioned quite well to civilian life.

Allira

^I find the references to trained killers rather offensive^

I agree.

And cannon fodder. WW1 terminology.

Yes .... I hear that. But some of these lads had no idea what they were getting into.
I absolutely recognise the bravery of those caught up in war and the commitment of those who join up.
But I cannot help but feel uncomfortable about young people being drawn in on the promise of an education. I would rather they got a properly funded education and then joined up on the basis of a more mature decision.
We can all only speak from our own experiences and mine trouble me. I recognise that many will have family members who have made a commitment to the armed forces and how proud they are of them. I respect that.

GrannyGravy13

We are an army family, still have an AC serving.

There is far more to modern day UK Forces than being taught how to kill and destroy the enemy.

Most service personnel come out with a Trade and/or skills which are transferable into civilian life.

Apologies GG, if my post implied the modern UK forces don’t learn about much more than fighting enemies.
Service personnel learn trades and in my experience are welcomed by emp,overs because of practical and life skills, plus flexibility and reliabikity

Yes, and those with IT skills are often Head Hunted when they are near the end of their careers in the forces, along with Project Management, Engineers and even catering along with the obvious Security based jobs.

Many years ago my DF, an army oficcer, was head hunted for his organisational and management skills and left the army to have a successful career with a large bank - and a comfortable retirement with both a bank and an army pension.

This scheme is not the alternative to other education routes it is aimed as I understood it, at those taking gap years, such as my DGD is currently taking. She is working at a Teaching assistant and also teaching dancing. Both excellent experience for someone who is considering teaching as a career. This coure will be aimed at yougsters who may be considering a military career and its aim will be to give them experience of what is involved so that after their further education, whatever that may be they might consider an army career.

Given the dangerous state of the world today it seems an excellent idea. I for one do not wish to be classed among the helpless lemmings who would rather jump off a cliff than make any attempt to save themselves their families and their country from dictators and tyrants.

Spot on M0nica

GrannyGravy13

Yes, and those with IT skills are often Head Hunted when they are near the end of their careers in the forces, along with Project Management, Engineers and even catering along with the obvious Security based jobs.

We know a lot of veterans of all the Forces and every one has had an excellent second career, using the skills and education gained during their time in the Forces. Many tend to give their spare time to charities helping other veterans, too.

We do hear about homeless veterans and help is there for them, both through the Forces and voluntary organisations run by ex-service personnel.

I think I'd be more concerned if one of my DGC said they wanted to be a politician.

Nothing to do with conscription that will still be an available power if there is a major crisis directly affecting the UK.

This gap year scheme will have appeal to a few, if the limit is 150 that should fill up quickly. My niece joined up at 18 still serving 20 yrs on loves it, visited many countries on exercises and active service.

The armed forces, not just the Army, offer a huge variety of trades and careers. My cousin joined the Royal Navy in 1978, as the number of apprenticeships in the shipyards was drying up and rhere was no guarantee of a job at the end. He trained to be an engine room artificer, one of the best trades in the Navy, and left after 12 years to work in very well paid engineering roles in the North Sea.