THE armed forces must raise the enlistment age to 18 and stop running “exploitative” recruitment campaigns that target vulnerable young people, says a report published today.

Campaign group ForcesWatch and healthcare charity MedAct are releasing a joint dossier of evidence accusing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of “glossing over” the “reality of an armed forces career” and falsely portraying it as “superior” to a civilian lifestyle.

Their scathing report found that the latest MoD advertising campaigns have an “emphasis on camaraderie that exploits adolescent vulnerability and masks experience of isolation within the armed force community.”

They warned that this isolation can result in lifelong problems when troops leave the military, citing the suicide crisis among veterans as one consequence.

The groups heard testimony from one veteran who said: “After 25 years of indoctrination, I will never truly be a civilian.”

The report comes as all branches of the armed forces step up their recruitment efforts, with the army specifically targeting what it called the “snowflake generation.”

Reem Abu-Hayyeh from Medact, who contributed to the report, said: “Vulnerable adolescents are being specifically targeted for recruitment to the military, and it is precisely this same group who are at greater risk of worse health outcomes.

“The health and well-being of young people should be prioritised over recruitment figures, and the best way to do this would be by ending the practice of recruiting under-18s once and for all.”

Emma Sangster from ForcesWatch, who co-authored the report, said: “We know that young people can be vulnerable to sophisticated marketing strategies and that armed forces marketing plays upon this. For many, the dream they sell is not in line with lived experience.

“Given the unique risks and rigours involved in an armed forces career, it is vital that awareness of the health risks and moral complexity associated with serving in the armed forces is developed so that young people make an informed choice, rather than one driven by persuasive advertising.”

Joe Glenton, a British army veteran who also works at ForcesWatch, commented: “The army is misleading kids into thinking that war is the route to self-fulfilment.”

An army spokesperson said: “Joining the army gives young people the opportunity for a great career, with the benefit of gaining skills and qualifications through world-leading training, as well as finding a sense of belonging.
 
“Our recruitment campaigns are targeted at anyone who meets our high standards, regardless of their background or where they live, and seek to illustrate the opportunities we are proud to offer.”