In recent years the Army has been stepping up its recruitment drive mainly due to the fact they have been fighting in two bloody wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  However more shockingly the Army has been using slogans and setting up enlisting centres in socially deprived areas to specifically attract poorer, unemployed working class people.  In addition to this we have seen public transport, mainly buses, become a centre of their advertising campaign.  Why would they do this?  Well buses are on the whole used by poorer people who are more likely to either be in a low paid job or not in employment.  When people are on the dole, can’t find a job and depressed are promised a job, fun, travelling and prospects they are obviously attracted to army life and the apparent positivty it entails.

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What the glossy posters fail to mention is that you are going to be fighting another persons war in a strange foreign land and have a high probability of being torn to shreds by an I.E.D (Improvised Explosive Device).  You may find employment and a living wage but is that wage really worth it when you will cease to live?

When you examine the motives behind these recruitment drives into working class areas it is sickening.  They are quite literally exploiting young people to die for them based around tall tales of fun, sun and sand in Helmand.  This Gary Tank Commander like portrayal of Army  life is being fed over and over to each new recruit that walks through the recruitment office.   Historically the working class for centuries have been the backbone or to put it bluntly the cannon fodder of the Army and it looks like the Army wish for it to remain the same in the 21st Century.

It’s a depressing scenario now being played out throughout housing schemes in the country.  ‘Nae job nae money fuck it I’ll join the army.’  What can be done to try and stop people becoming tomorrows statistic?

I would like to see the development of picketing of these recruitment centres to try and educate people on the truth of why they are being targeted and what’s in store for them when they touch down in Helmand.  Hopefully this is something the SSY can instigate in the coming months.  With the numbers unemployed set to soar it’s an issue which will get worse.  We need to put the message out there that it is not worth your life to die for another persons war or for a war you don’t believe in.   I have no doubt in my mind the Army will step up in the summer months their attempts to enlist young working class people.

It’s no coincidence that they will be seen on a high street near you this summer.  With those in school enjoying their summer holidays they will be seeking out young people to fill their brains with tales of wonderful times being shot at, blown to bits and suffering from mental illnesses for the rest of their adult lives if they are lucky enough to survive.

Let’s put out a positive message to our fellow working class youths that they are worth more than being mere cannon fodder to generals of the army.