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UK denies glamourising war
07/01/2008 18:04 - (SA)
London - Britain's Ministry of Defence hit back at a report published on Monday that said army recruitment campaigns were misleading youngsters, portraying warfare as glamorous, "game-like" fun.
Children as young as seven were being targeted in such drives, said the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, which is committed to "the creation of a peaceful world, political equality and social justice".
Britain's armed forces, currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, are professional, with 187 830 employees across the army, navy and air force. There is no conscription or national service.
"Recruitment literature for army careers emphasises potential benefits: career interest and challenge, comradeship, the active lifestyle, travel and training opportunities," the 160-page report said.
"It omits to mention or obscures the radical change from a civilian to a military lifestyle, ethical issues involved in killing, risks to physical and mental health... and the right of conscientious objection.
"Key messages are tailored to children's interests and values: military roles are promoted as glamorous and exciting, warfare is portrayed as game-like and enjoyable and outreach to the young is described as serving their personal growth and education."
In a statement, an MoD spokesperson said some of the trust's assertions were selective, "incorrect and ill-informed".
"Our recruitment practices avoid 'glamourising war' and we refute any allegation that they depict warfare as 'game-like'," she said.
"Anyone considering a career in the armed forces is presented with clear information and all aspects of service life are discussed in detail, following a sensitive recruitment process.
"The services do not target people under the age of 16," she said, adding it was right that they could recruit school leavers just like other employers.
School visits were on request and aimed at raising awareness, "not to recruit".
- AFP
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