The British Army is targeting teenagers in Wales - it must stop

It was ever thus, and traditionally the British Army has focused it's recruitment on poorer areas. This same situation existed in the 1980s and earlier. Brainstorming a little, and with the shocking statistics for youth unemployment and underemployment, as well as thinking about the future needs of the Welsh economy, (and jumping the gun somewhat to a situation where we have more control over our country) what about considering a non-compulsory, non-militaristic system of national service for those aged between 16 and 18 which acts as a kind of coming of age rite? Most modern nations don't have such a ceremony, apart from the religious forms such as confirmation, but Germany does have the Jugendfeier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugendweihe). Of course, if our politicians were more prepared to pull their fingers out and actually offer viable alternatives to joining the British Army in areas where there is virtually no alternative, then just maybe the British Army would look less attractive an option. I wouldn't expect Welsh Labour to do anything, as they are part of the problem, but Plaid Cymru could, if it got itself together enough, produce propaganda that shows the less attractive sides to military service, showing the reality. Pressure could also be put on local authorities who allow the militarising of our youth in the schools under their control.

Read only this morning of Sweden putting its country on a war alert. A protection strategy of its key survival practices of food and water and key institutions. The threats of a colonial power grab is all too familiar. These are not ordinary times. The election of politicians who are anti war becomes evermore crucial. Life in peace is more unstable than at any time since 1945. Governments must do all it can to neutralise potential conflicts. Encouraging young recruits from less prosperous areas of Wales and by association less able or the more easily persuaded into the armed forces is duplicitous and morally bankrupt. The article from Liz suggests its potentially into front line war zone activity. Haven't we had enough of this war fodder mentality. It's well known that if you equip yourself with lethal power there's always a tendency that it will be used. Either well equipped forces or nuclear. Look at the disaster of the Iraq war and the impact on relations in the middle east. Plaid Cymru stood firm, with the liberals against the war. Our Welsh youth need and deserve better than this recruitment practice of bomb fodder. I'm still reading the history of the Welsh contribution in World War 1. An excellent book "Cymru A'r Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf " by Gwyn Jenkins and Gareth William Jones, let alone the poetry of Hedd Wyn. Can't we have a Welsh Government that is pacifist, non nuclear, and neutral in outlook. I see the reality of this as a wish list. But I do see the suggestion that investment in our youth, post school has never been more important. There should never be one lost soul from neglect of opportunity. It's our duty to protect our young people. Everyone of them. There is never a more important moment to be responsible for their futures. It makes economic as well as socially beneficial. It's what our politics need and should provide.

This is nothing new. Even at Waterloo the majority of foot soldiers were either mercenaries or personnel from poor areas who would be considered to be dispensable or cannon fodder. Not much changes.

Sadly nothing changes even from medieval times. The exploitation of our youth for purposes of defence, and attrition is still alive and well. The renown skills and history of Welsh archers fighting as mercenaries is testimony of the excellence of the Welsh bowmen. But the exploitation of young people by coercion, in these so called modern times, is testimony to the societal disadvantage that is growing wider and more pronounced by each passing Govt. Prof. Stephen Hawkins is quoted as saying " I fear evolution has an in built greed and aggression to the human genome". I wonder if he was referring to the male genome. I have cross referenced this since he was then talking about climate change and the dire consequences for human kind if we continue on the same path. But it must apply to the stupidity of humans to destroy itself. I am fully against any kind of war. It's always over greed and political manipulation for power and influence. I'm fully committed to a sovereign Wales. A fully independent and prosperous Nation within Europe, focussed first on the enhancement and development of its youth. The absolute causes of war is supported by the opportunity for aggression by well armed forces. Every one has a duty to enhance peace and goodwill. The balance of political representatives in any parliament must be of equal sexes. With a youth section attached of those of more tender ages. The time for change in our political structures is upon us. Change is slow. The same kind of politics is not an option. For now we must remain in a Union that persists with its colonial genome. But those who continue supporting it should recognise the damage its doing to those most at risk, and that's our youth, older age, disabled, unemployed and unskilled. Not least Wales.

The Army is good training, a chance to see what the English State is really like. It has produced nationalists such as Saunders Lewis and Cayo Evans amongst others.

a soldier under 18 and three month can not go on active service, boy solders often learn a trade and do education and basic training I joined merchant navy at age 16 and traveld the world then joined army at 17 and a half but could not go to kenya inn 1961 because I was not yet 18 and three month

As a former boy soldier from the fifties, I have to say I have never in all my life read such garbage, what does the author of this bullshit think the British Army does with these poor fellows ? they are given a purpose in life and taught self discipline and self respect not to mention respect for those in charge of them, that doesn't happen in Civvie street to often in their age group , for heavens sake leave them alone and let H.M. Forces get on with what they do best.