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Newspeak International
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Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 1158
Location: South Essex
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 Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Video war games: lure teenagers into armed forces |
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Pupils ’lured’ into Armed Forces
By Hannah Goff
BBC News, at the NUT Conference
Teachers are accusing the Ministry of Defence of using "sophisticated" methods to lure youngsters, often in deprived areas, into the armed forces.
National Union of Teachers delegates in Manchester will debate a motion later calling for an end to "recruitment" in schools in England and Wales.
Teachers say pupils are not made fully aware of what they are signing up to.
The MoD says it is invited into about 1,000 schools a year, but its teams go to raise awareness not recruit.
’Informed choices’
Catherine Brennan, a teacher from Croydon, south London, who is presenting the motion, said recruiters use information which does not allow young people to make informed choices.
"They are too young to vote, too young to drink, too young to drive, but they are considered old enough to sign up for years in the armed forces without being fully aware of what they are signing themselves up for in their lives," she said.
Another teacher, Chris Kelly, from Lambeth, south London, said: "The Ministry of Defence has got a programme for distributing information to every secondary school. They run programmes across the country and send army personnel to talk to young people in schools.
"These are often in areas of high levels of unemployment."
Humanitarian work, such as digging wells in war-ravaged Sierra Leone, is often highlighted alongside the chance to improve interpersonal skills.
Mr Kelly added: "We are talking about a much more sophisticated method of recruitment - putting eligible young people who are good communicators in assembly halls."
’Limited opportunities’
NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott told reporters before the NUT conference that he was concerned youngsters from poorer backgrounds were being targeted.
"Youngsters from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have more limited opportunities in life than youngsters from better off backgrounds.
"It’s simply a fact. I am not saying that youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds cannot get something from a career in the military."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We do not recruit in schools.
"The single-service schools teams visit about 1,000 schools a year between them only at the invitation of the school - with the aim of raising the general awareness of their armed forces in society, not to recruit."
Roger Leighton, head teacher of Sydney Russell School, in Dagenham Essex, said people could have a fantastic life with a career in the armed forces.
"I can’t see any problem with the army coming in and recruiting in schools," he added.
____________________________________________________________
I have sent an email to Mr Leighton asking him to justify his comment:
Dear Mr. Leighton.
As a parent and as a researcher of the events of the current geo-political climate. I am appalled by your quote to the BBC "Pupils ’lured’ into armed forces". "Roger Leighton, head teacher of Sydney Russell School, in Dagenham Essex, said people could have a fantastic life with a career in the armed forces".
With the current figure just published, 4.000 American troops and 175 British troops killed since start of conflict. How do you justify your comment. Young people joining the army at present will be sent into an illegal war and I feel your attitude is irresponsible. If I were a parent with children at your school, I would be very concerned indeed. I wonder what your children’s parents would think?
David WJ Sherlock.
I will update this if and when he replies.
Sydney Russell Secondary School.
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/1-schools/right-secondary-school/rs s-sydney-russell.html
If you would like comment to Mr. Leighton’s remarks in the article
email: office@sydney-r.bardaglea.org.uk
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fish5133
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Joined: 13 Sep 2006
Posts: 2568
Location: One breath from Glory
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:10 am Post subject: |
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Dont think we are too far away from some kind of National Service like they have in Germany. All we need is enough unemployment for school leavers and it will be on the government table as a suggestion.
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TonyGosling
Editor
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 18335
Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
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TonyGosling
Editor
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
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Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
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Mark Gobell
On Gardening Leave
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Posts: 4529
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Brown Shirts ?
Brown 'backs' more school cadets
A government review will recommend more state school pupils be encouraged to sign up for military cadet training, it has been reported.
A civil and military relations review will suggest it could improve attitudes towards armed forces and discipline.
MP Quentin Davies, who headed the review, told the Observer the PM was "very keen" on using the cadets more.
Tory leader David Cameron, who has suggested a "citizen service" for all 16-year-olds said it was a good idea.
Mr Davies, a former Tory MP who defected to Labour last year, told the Observer newspaper: "The prime minister is very, very keen on the opportunities represented by cadet forces."
He added: "We will be making a number of recommendations to increase the use of this superb national asset."
There are only 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.
Last month teachers voted to oppose military recruitment activities in schools if they employ "misleading propaganda".
On Monday the Conservatives will outline some of the policies they would pursue in government, to improve school discipline.
Asked about the cadet force policy later, and whether he thought it was similar to his own calls for a national voluntary six-week programme for all 16-year-olds, party leader David Cameron said: "It's good there is a free market in ideas."
He said he was not calling for a return to compulsory national service but wanted a scheme in which every 16-year-old took part in "community service".
He added: "What the prime minister seems to be talking about, extending the cadet force, I think is a very good idea."
Mr Davies said the review was also looking at encouraging the wearing of military uniform by off-duty troops: "There is a definite move back in that direction and there is overwhelming support within the military for this."
He is also said to be calling for a re-examination of the way that the military is portrayed in the schools curriculum.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said Mr Davies had been asked by Defence Secretary Des Browne to conduct a study "to see how we can encourage the nation to show appropriate recognition for the work of the armed services".
He said he could not comment on the prime minister's position, but the review was continuing and "we are waiting to see the recommendations with interest".
BBC
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paul wright
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Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 2650
Location: Sunny Bradford, Northern Lights
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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I'm quite pleased to have a couple of boys who will surely fight against any attempt at military indoctrination
Funnily enough, I'd quite like them to receive the gun training most of the opposition are catterwauling against
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wepmob2000
Trustworthy Freedom Fighter
Joined: 03 Aug 2006
Posts: 431
Location: North East England
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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The implication is that young people are too stupid to know what line of work is involved in joining the Army. It speaks volumes for NUT members confidence in the job they're doing..........
The shortfall in recruitment to the Army in recent years shows that many young people are fully aware, and don't wish to die in Afghanistan or Iraq. The likely subtext to this is that certain NUT members don't wish their own indoctrination of youngsters to be challenged.
For once I actually agree with Cyclops, the cadet organisations are a good thing, and are often the making of less confident young people. Despite the stereotype, no pressure is ever bought upon cadets to enlist, although many do join with the intention of then going into the armed forces. |
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Caz
Last Chance Saloon
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 836
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| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Recruiters are pushing military service on youngsters and violating the law, says ACLU
Military recruiters target Black youth (FCN, 11-27-2007)
Army recruiters: No Latino left behind (FCN, 11-24-2004)
Military luring black and Latino youth with hip-hop (Spokesman Review, 04-09-2004) |
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4804.shtml
| Quote: | (FinalCall.com) - Children as young as 11-years-old are targets of military recruiters, who dangle video games, drive flashy SUVs, spin tales of adventure, promise money for college and other pipe dreams and trinkets in a campaign to entice youngsters into military service, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The U.S. is violating its own laws in failing to safeguard children under 18 from military recruitment, while high school girls have been raped and groped by recruiters in some instances.
The report, “Soldiers of Misfortune: Abusive U.S. Military Recruitment and Failure to Protect Child Soldiers,” found military recruiting practices violate international protocols for the recruitment of child soldiers—a practice the United States routinely condemns in conflicts in Africa and other nations. The “Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict” was ratified in December 2002. It is supposed to keep children under 18 from being preyed on by recruiters and guarantees basic protections to former child soldiers seeking refugee protection in the United States or who are in U.S. custody for alleged crimes.
Victor Jackson witnessed violations firsthand after being approached by a recruiter while in high school.
“He (the Air Force recruiter) made a lot of promises to me and the only promise they kept was the part about me getting hollered at and bossed around,” said Mr. Jackson, who was discharged after serving 13 months. “He lied about the options I would have once I got in, the opportunities for me were altered and even the dream sheet they have you fill out is a lie.”
Mr. Jackson signed up to make money as he awaited the birth of his daughter, but later regretted it. “They moved me from Texas to Delaware, which wasn’t my place of choice. I was told that I would get at least 6 months to prepare myself to go overseas but within 3 months I was in Saudi Arabia. They made us watch videos to put in us hate for people across seas but I saw that everyone over there is not like that. They are a bunch of liars,” he said.
“Military recruitment tools aimed at youth under 18, including Pentagon-produced video games, military training corps, and databases of students’ personal information, have no place in America’s schools,” said Jennifer Turner of the ACLU Human Rights Project. “The United States military’s procedures for recruiting students plainly violate internationally accepted standards and fail to protect youth from abusive and aggressive recruitment tactics,” she said. The ACLU report was released May 13.
The report notes that recruiters disproportionately target poor and minority students and use public schools as prime recruiting grounds. The ACLU charges exaggerated promises of financial rewards, coercion, deception and sexual abuse by recruiters nullify so-called “voluntariness” of recruitment. A 2007 survey of New York City high school students by the New York Civil Liberties Union and other organizations found more than 1 in 5 students, including students as young as 14, reported the use of class time by military recruiters.
Jeremy Jenkins, a high school senior, was first approached by a Marine recruiter at 16-years-old. “They (military recruiters) are always at school career days and other events with attractive setups to entice young people. I think the national defense is important but recruiters should only impart knowledge to young people and not influence them under the age of 18,” he said.
Mr. Jenkins is on his way to the Naval Academy because of his dream to be a pilot. “It had nothing to do with a recruiter or the Jr. ROTC because I didn’t want to join on. However, the Navy has presented me with an opportunity to achieve my dream but of course they make no guarantees,” he said.
Statistics from the New York survey noted nearly 1 in 5 respondents at selected schools did not believe anyone in their school could properly advise them about the risks and benefits of military enlistment. Additionally, almost 1 in 3 students surveyed were unsure if such a person was available in their school. Nearly half of respondents did not know who should be told about military recruiter misconduct.
“I wanted to join the Marines in the 8th grade because they had brochures at the carnivals we had at school,” said Toni Cervantes, who is now college bound. “But I quickly changed my mind after hearing stories from my friends who joined and discovered that it was nothing like the recruiters promised. The so-called free ride is a long process.”
Are Blacks and Hispanics the primary recruiting targets? According to information from the Department of Defense, from 2000 to 2007, the percentage of Blacks enlisting in the various armed forces decreased by 6 percent while Hispanic enlistment jumped about 30 percent. Defense Department population studies revealed most recruits are from lower income backgrounds and only 8 percent of recruits have a parent who is a professional. With over $1 billion a year spent on recruiting efforts, the Defense Department examines long term trends in the youth population and evaluates how to increase interest in the military.
“It’s no mystery that the armed forces target the urban areas,” said an Army military recruiter in Houston and the country’s southwest region. “We go to a lot of Black and Hispanic schools for career days, programs, and other functions because we have a quota to meet every year as it relates to Blacks and Hispanics. It is true that those students are more adamant to join on with us because of the opportunities that are given to them—although many may disagree. But we do help a lot of people who don’t have any other option coming out of high school.”
School boards and local education departments are being asked by the ACLU to create a transparent, system-wide policy governing recruitment in public schools. The policy should defend students’ and parents’ rights to withhold information from the military, limit military recruiter access to high school campuses, protect student safety, and ensure educational integrity, the ACLU said. It should also clearly inform public high school students about their rights in relation to military recruitment, protect students from coercive military recruiter practices, and consistently enforce such procedures and guidelines across the school district, the civil liberties group said.
Sexual abuse by military recruiters An CBS News investigation in 2006 reported over 100 young women who expressed interest in the military were sexually assaulted by recruiters, raped on recruiting office couches, assaulted in government cars and groped en route to entrance exams. Many of the victims were under 17 years of age. The Army alone had 53 allegations of sexual misconduct that year but a spokesman defended that it “is not indicative of the entire command of 8,000 recruiters.”
An Associated Press investigation revealed most recruiters found guilty of sexual misconduct were only disciplined administratively, facing a reduction in rank or forfeiture of pay. Military and civilian prosecutions remain rare.
The ACLU wants the U.S. to eliminate the military recruitment provision from the No Child Left Behind Act; create accessible grievance procedures for recruiter abuses; apply meaningful punishments to recruiters who engage in abusive, harassing, or deceptive recruitment practices; and create a “Recruit’s Bill of Rights” that must be publicized and posted in recruitment stations to detail opt-out procedures and the right not to enlist.
The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child received the ACLU report because it oversees the relevant international protocol. The committee was to review the report before late May questioning of a U.S. government delegation on its compliance with protocol obligations in Geneva.
The report also criticizes U.S. detention of children at Guantánamo and U.S.-run facilities overseas without recognizing their juvenile status or observing international juvenile justice standards. Details of U.S. denial of asylum to former child soldiers under immigration provisions intended to bar their victimizers and child victims of human rights abuses denied protection in the U.S. are included in the report. |
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A Sharp Major
9/11 Truth critic
Joined: 19 Feb 2006
Posts: 237
Location: In the van with the blacked out windows, parked outside your home.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Children as young as 11-years-old are targets of military recruiters, who dangle video games, drive flashy SUVs, spin tales of adventure, promise money for college and other pipe dreams and trinkets in a campaign to entice youngsters into military service, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. |
Dreadful if true but it could be worse and no Play Station.
http://www.realtruth.org/news/080107-002-africa.html
| Quote: | | According to Save the Children, militia brigades in the Congo frequently kidnap schoolchildren and refugees and compel them to become soldiers, porters, spies and sex slaves. Battered and beaten, many are forced by age 12 to decide whether to kill or be killed—and sometimes forced to shoot brothers or sisters to stay alive. |
Of course the notion of child 'soldiers' in Africa may be an idea planted by those wishing to discredit the delightful continent of Africa.
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TonyGosling
Editor
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 18335
Location: St. Pauls, Bristol, England
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