A powerful new television documentary series has captured the emotional reality of military preparation, focusing on one of the British Army's youngest recruits and his mother's heartfelt reaction to his potential deployment to conflict zones.
Unflinching Look at Modern Military Training
Platoon 24/7: Preparing for War premieres on Channel 5 this evening at 9pm, offering viewers an intimate portrayal of infantry training during a period of global tension. The series follows a newly assembled platoon from The Rifles regiment through what producers describe as six brutal months of preparation for possible frontline action.
The Youngest Recruit's Journey
Among those featured is 18-year-old Rifleman Owen Morris, who enlisted immediately after being expelled from school. The documentary captures Owen's transition from civilian life to military service, showing him preparing for his first day at Bulford Barracks in Wiltshire while 18th birthday cards still decorate his family home.
Owen will undergo an intensive six-month training programme designed to prepare recruits for potential deployment to active conflict zones, including Ukraine or wherever British military needs dictate. Remarkably, within just ten days, Owen completed his basic training, passed his driving test, and celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
A Mother's Emotional Struggle
The documentary's most poignant moments feature Owen's mother watching her son depart for training. She becomes visibly emotional while reflecting on his journey from being a "3lb 11 baby" to a potential soldier facing combat.
"The minute he joined the army, completely different," she observes. "He just changed into this respectful, lovely young man. Whether or not he's ready to go to war - I think mentally and physically he is. I'm not sure emotionally."
Her voice breaks as she adds: "I think the full impact of going to war maybe, I'm not sure that's really hit home. He's so young. There are worries but there's also immense pride."
Documentary's Broader Context
The series arrives as the British Army prepares infantry platoons for potential action amid ongoing conflicts. Channel 5 describes the programme as an honest chronicle of how thirty-strong units - the backbone of the army - transform into cohesive fighting forces where soldiers develop such strong bonds they would "lay down their lives for each other."
Viewers can watch the series through traditional broadcast or via Channel 5's streaming service, making this intimate look at military preparation accessible across multiple platforms.
Owen himself reflects on his unexpected career path, confessing to documentary cameras: "When I was a kid I wanted to work at McDonald's and have a pet pig. That's it really." His mother notes his previous school struggles, explaining that behavioral issues led to frequent detentions before his military transformation.
The documentary series promises to show not just the physical demands of military training, but the emotional weight carried by both recruits and their families as young soldiers prepare for the ultimate test of combat readiness.
