Veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones has urged young people to consider the armed forces as a career option, with over one million 16 to 24-year-olds currently not in education, employment or training (NEETs). However, critics argue that the high drop-out rate among under-18 army recruits makes it a poor solution to youth unemployment.
Alexandra Williams, 24, from Lincolnshire, credits her experience in the University Officer Training Corps with helping her start a career in PR. She maintains her connection with the military as a combat medic in the army reserves. But peace groups warn that the military is targeting young people with limited options.
Emma Sangster of Forces Watch describes a growing sense of an 'economic draft' or 'conscription by poverty'. She notes that the Ministry of Defence has pledged £70m to expand the Cadet Force and placed military personnel in jobcentres to recruit for the army.
Jim Wyke from the Child Rights International Network calls the idea that army recruitment could reduce NEET figures 'ludicrous'. He points to a 30% drop-out rate at the Army Foundation College for under-18s, compared to 6-15% in civilian further education, suggesting recruitment actually generates more NEETs.
Will O'Donnell, a final-year student at SOAS, agrees that army recruitment does not address the broader issue of limited job prospects for young people. He says there is a 'real sense of doom and gloom' about career prospects among his generation.
