Sunak promises to bring back national service for 18-year-olds

maddyone I am in absolute agreement. I knew someone who was a young, 18, territorial army member, who was sent to do six months service in Bosnia, saw terrible things and later had a breakdown.

Interestingly, he later joined the police force. He was like many young soldiers attracted to army life as an excape from chaotic family conditions, and/or because they somehow recognised their need to operate in a structured environment.

It’s a good idea in principle but as ever the details will make it a disaster. It’s also not the sort of thing that should be pulled out of a hat with five weeks to go to a GE. We need a national debate about it first.

This government haven't got a clue
One or two might have as they are ex-service people but I think Sunak might have made this up on the spur of the moment.

The services do offer a lot of help, maddyone and, of course, there are many charities which offer a great deal of help too, supporting ex-servicemen and women for years after they leave the Forces. The RBL, SSAFA, Benevlent Funds, Help for Heroes etc.

These charities are reliant on willing volunteers, so many of whom are ex-servicemen and women and their families. Many of them are quite elderly themselves now and always hoping for new volunteers to come along and take over!

Monica I agree with your post at 18.10.

M0nica

Except they are disproportionately represented among the prison population and homeless. Many find it very difficult to adjust to the chaos of ordinary life after the structure and discipline of forces life.

Maybe we’re forgetting that many of the armed service personnel who cannot adapt to civilian life at this time, have served in Iraq, and/or Afghanistan. Many are therefore suffering from PTSD as a result of what they experienced. Maybe also the government has been unsupportive of these people who are needing a great deal of support. The armed services offer some help I think, GG will put me right if I’m wrong, but they can only do so much because they are constantly training new recruits and making sure they are in a state of readiness should there be a war, or situation where they are required to attend.

My mother told me that my father suffered from terrible nightmares for years after he served on the front line during WW2. He used to wake up screaming apparently. Mum told me it took years before these nightmares stopped.

But there should be no need to join the armed forces to get these educational benefits.

I have a good idea. Lets move all these youngsters into the health service. They could look after patients, put them on drips and administer blood transfusions, perhaps even take on minor operations.

This is no dafter than saying they could be drafted into the army and be sent to some knife edge place to help keep the peace between warring factions or they could help with emergency work after natural disasters. Put them in excavators to carefully clear buildings after an earthquake - but not suash any survivors.

All our soldiers are highly trained about how to deal with these kinds of critical situations, where one wrong word, phrase or action could cause violence and endanger other soldiers lives.

This government haven't got a clue.

Rishi Sunak has said young people who serve with the military as part of his national service scheme will receive a "stipend" to help with living expenses.

What does this mean? Does it mean they won't get paid?
Just being paid expenses which will then be taken off them in accommodation and food costs?

vegansrock

I’m from a military family and the military are not in favour of this plan. I did not state all young people are feral, but this is obviously aimed at those that are involved in anti social behaviour. It’s another straw clutching policy not aimed at young people themselves but the older demographic.

I don't think many are in favour of it - including the Heads of the Armed Forces!

vegansrock

I’m from a military family and the military are not in favour of this plan. I did not state all young people are feral, but this is obviously aimed at those that are involved in anti social behaviour. It’s another straw clutching policy not aimed at young people themselves but the older demographic.

I have not said I am in favour of this plan.

I have tried to point out that the 21st century military is far more than learning how to fire guns and fight.

I’m from a military family and the military are not in favour of this plan. I did not state all young people are feral, but this is obviously aimed at those that are involved in anti social behaviour. It’s another straw clutching policy not aimed at young people themselves but the older demographic.

As of 2022, an estimated 3.6% of the prison population in England and Wales were ex-service personnel.

Of that 3.6%, 77% had served in the Army.

A comparison of offences and length of sentence would make the statistics more relevant.

Think about it , it would empty the prisons , a year teaching youngsters respect , discipline , how to respect weapons , sounds a good idea to me , defer university , 🥴what’s not to like

M0nica

Except they are disproportionately represented among the prison population and homeless. Many find it very difficult to adjust to the chaos of ordinary life after the structure and discipline of forces life.

I would question had it not been for their time in the forces would they have been in prison sooner?

There are many schemes in place to help veterans when leaving the services, it’s important to remember that not everyone wants to be helped, some have to reach rock bottom before accepting assistance.

GrannyGravy13

Luckygirl3

Better to spend those billions on education so that young people come out the pother end of the system with career prospects.

Are you aware that people who join the armed forces (any branch) are able to study for degrees whilst training in their chosen field?

Many of the qualifications and skills gained whilst serving are transferable into civvy street

There is so much more to the armed forces than learning how to use a gun…

Not a lot of people know that GrannyGravy 🙂

There used to be excellent five-year apprenticeships which were call Artificer Training, sadly, I don't think they are quite what they were and are not offered now by the Royal Navy.

Except they are disproportionately represented among the prison population and homeless. Many find it very difficult to adjust to the chaos of ordinary life after the structure and discipline of forces life.

Ex armed service personnel learn so many skills that they can transfer to civilian life GG. They are very valuable members of society, even after they leave the services.

Luckygirl3

Better to spend those billions on education so that young people come out the pother end of the system with career prospects.

Are you aware that people who join the armed forces (any branch) are able to study for degrees whilst training in their chosen field?

Many of the qualifications and skills gained whilst serving are transferable into civvy street

There is so much more to the armed forces than learning how to use a gun…

Better to spend those billions on education so that young people come out the pother end of the system with career prospects.

Our armed services have been depleted by this government and I feel sure they don’t have the personnel to waste their time in such a venture as this.

I agree Callistemon.

I am far from thinking it's a good idea because one year of service for uncommitted 18 year olds would be a burden on the Armed Services. Service chiefs are in the main against this as the Services are underfunded anyway.
It's passing the buck by a Government which has failed to address the problems presented by some (not most) young adults when they were younger.

"Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man"
Aristotle

vegansrock

Let’s teach all those feral youths to shoot guns and fight- will be great for their future lives. I wonder if Sunak will be encouraging his kids to join up.

I’m another who thinks that is a ridiculous comment.
My father was on the front line at eighteen. Sometimes needs must, but clearly giving a feral youth a gun is not a solution.
What is your solution to the problem of some young people who actually are feral?

Vegsnsrock calling young people feral is insulting.