When has it ever? Unless it's for a significant duration (such as 2 years or so) and they get given the same training as signed up professionals, then what could they possibly actually add of benefit to any military engagement, except to act as cannon fodder that is. (which by the way, I've heard a lot of people - some in the forces - state that is exacty what would happen to the TA should the UK ever get involved in a true full out war).
That's all well and good. But there's literally nothing the armed forces can achieve in that way that a suitable civilian organisation couldn't. Plenty of other ways to give the young discipline etc. I mean when the forces aren't actually fighting what are they doing exactly that couldn't be learned elsewhere (I mean apart from how to shoot weapons of various kinds, drive tanks etc obviously)?
Well from what I see online and around me, many people under 25 are very self absorbed and narcisistic. I'm not saying there aren't politically etc engaged young people, obviously there are, but I feel many are disolusioned and/or self centred.
Well obviously, but the progam was about why we have (had at the time at least) such a large immigrant (migratory even) workforce in the lower paid "starter" jobs. Clearly it's because British youth see it as beneath them despite the fact that some ridiculous percentage come out of mandatory schooling with pretty much no qualifications and then expect to get a better job than stacking shelves at Tesco's.
I am fully aware it's back breaking work. So what? it needs to be done. The point is us Brits think that kind of work is beneath us even when we don't have the smarts or education to do anything better. So we're all too happy to let "desparate" immigrants do it for us. Oh that is, until we think they're taking over the NHS or benefits etc. The hypocrisy and entitlement is just mind boggling. We won't do the shit jobs ourselves, we whinge like hell there aren't enough skilled workers or well paid jobs, happy to let foreigners do the shitty jobs then complain that they're here.
This 100%
Sigh... you have reading comprehension issues? I clearly said: "NB the program was about 15 years ago and I fully accept that things are different now."
"Our" troops? Do I have a say in this? OK, stop sending them off to fight illegal and immoral wars.
To be fair the Russians are known for "meat grinder warfare".
Yes I imagine a load of teenagers with a few months training and knackered gear is going to put the willies right up him.
Did a stint of n/s a while back a waste of time now the cynic in me sees this as the latest attempt to stop the boats and flights to sunny Africa!
I'm a tree hugging peacenik but I think if you're going to ask people to sign up and fight you absolutely have a duty to treat them properly.
