National Service.

[Mikey09]

Bring it back says Prince Harry.... :rolleyes:

Maybe we could insist immigrants do it.
And if someone misses an appointment at the job centre.
Yams? They've already won a world war all by themselves.
Anyone with a mental health issue?

Just trying to list groups of people who are a drain on Cameron's perfect United Kingdom.

any suggestions?! :greengrin

[lord bunberry]

Bring it back says Prince Harry.... :rolleyes:

Maybe we could insist immigrants do it.
And if someone misses an appointment at the job centre.
Yams? They've already won a world war all by themselves.
Anyone with a mental health issue?

Just trying to list groups of people who are a drain on Cameron's perfect United Kingdom.

any suggestions?! :greengrin
David Cameron

[Beefster]

To be fair, I was expecting someone to moan about what the royal said but to extrapolate that to mental health, the unemployed, Hearts and David Cameron is beyond any normal foaming at the mouth that I could have hoped for.

[Mikey09]

To be fair, I was expecting someone to moan about what the royal said but to extrapolate that to mental health, the unemployed, Hearts and David Cameron is beyond any normal foaming at the mouth that I could have hoped for.


It was just a laugh mate... Lighten up.

[Keith_M]

I would have been happy to do National Service, as long as I then had all the benefits in life that Harry has afterwards.

[Stranraer]

He has the right to that opinion but not to influence policy. He can GTF, joke of a "royal" anyway.

[Sylar]

I think a lot of people are dismissing the idea outright because of who's saying it in all honesty.

The armed services are a great option for many young men and women because they offer extensive training in a number of fields that can give practical skills to take over into life.

If young kids aren't going to college/university or don't have a job or apprenticeship lined up, a form of national service would be a great way to stop them signing on to claim JSA, whilst learning practical skills that can help them find something more permanent.

[lucky]

Surely not the British army, maybe in an independent Scotland.

[Big Ed]

I think a lot of people are dismissing the idea outright because of who's saying it in all honesty.

The armed services are a great option for many young men and women because they offer extensive training in a number of fields that can give practical skills to take over into life.

If young kids aren't going to college/university or don't have a job or apprenticeship lined up, a form of national service would be a great way to stop them signing on to claim JSA, whilst learning practical skills that can help them find something more permanent.

Would these young men and women do it for free, in these austere times, or would we be forced to pay them the whole minimum wage?

[judas]

I think a lot of people are dismissing the idea outright because of who's saying it in all honesty.

The armed services are a great option for many young men and women because they offer extensive training in a number of fields that can give practical skills to take over into life.

If young kids aren't going to college/university or don't have a job or apprenticeship lined up, a form of national service would be a great way to stop them signing on to claim JSA, whilst learning practical skills that can help them find something more permanent.

Yeh. I've heard that series of lines before.

Do you have any kids?

[steakbake]

If young kids aren't going to college/university or don't have a job or apprenticeship lined up, a form of national service would be a great way to stop them signing on to claim JSA, whilst learning practical skills that can help them find something more permanent.

Minor repairs - and killing.

[marinello59]

I think a lot of people are dismissing the idea outright because of who's saying it in all honesty.

The armed services are a great option for many young men and women because they offer extensive training in a number of fields that can give practical skills to take over into life.

If young kids aren't going to college/university or don't have a job or apprenticeship lined up, a form of national service would be a great way to stop them signing on to claim JSA, whilst learning practical skills that can help them find something more permanent.

The military don't want National Service with good reason. Some form of voluntary non-military service has merit though.

[Sylar]

Would these young men and women do it for free, in these austere times, or would we be forced to pay them the whole minimum wage?

They would be entitled to some form of recompense irrespective, be it minimum wage, a supporting bursary or ability to claim benefits.


Yeh. I've heard that series of lines before.

Do you have any kids?

I don't Judas, no, so I appreciate I'm somewhat detached from the emotional side of the argument. Perhaps the militarised notion of national service isn't a progressive solution but some form of national training scheme (as per Marinello above) would be better than watching your (collective) children having no opportunities and succumb to a life of benefits/menial work or crime? I advocated the use of some form of national service because aside from the combat element, the armed forces provide exceptional training opportunities to their members (as I'm sure any ex/servicemen/BFPOs would attest to).


Minor repairs - and killing.

Nonsense. I've known several people who have gone into the services in some form or other - they've received excellent training regimes and many of them are now ex-service medical professionals, engineers, radar operators, technicians, IT specialists, national services (police, fire). Several of them weren't particularly gifted academically but they were given the right environment and training.


The military don't want National Service with good reason. Some form of voluntary non-military service has merit though.

Financially, I understand their concerns - it would mean they would have to find accommodation, clothing, training expertise, equipment, food...perhaps you're correct that a non-militarised idea is the better option - I simply support the idea of some agency taking on board young men/women with no discernible qualifications and training them toward a workplace-compatible qualification - the armed forces have the ability but perhaps not the resources. I did read a few ex-chiefs support the idea in principle but raising the economical/environmental concerns you allude to.

[The_Todd]

Minor repairs - and killing.

And watching three men burning in a tank, going 'uuurghhh'?

http://www.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/180x200/i/im_alan_partridge_michael.jpg

[liamh2202]

They would be entitled to some form of recompense irrespective, be it minimum wage, a supporting bursary or ability to claim benefits.



I don't Judas, no, so I appreciate I'm somewhat detached from the emotional side of the argument. Perhaps the militarised notion of national service isn't a progressive solution but some form of national training scheme (as per Marinello above) would be better than watching your (collective) children having no opportunities and succumb to a life of benefits/menial work or crime? I advocated the use of some form of national service because aside from the combat element, the armed forces provide exceptional training opportunities to their members (as I'm sure any ex/servicemen/BFPOs would attest to).



Nonsense. I've known several people who have gone into the services in some form or other - they've received excellent training regimes and many of them are now ex-service medical professionals, engineers, radar operators, technicians, IT specialists, national services (police, fire). Several of them weren't particularly gifted academically but they were given the right environment and training.



Financially, I understand their concerns - it would mean they would have to find accommodation, clothing, training expertise, equipment, food...perhaps you're correct that a non-militarised idea is the better option - I simply support the idea of some agency taking on board young men/women with no discernible qualifications and training them toward a workplace-compatible qualification - the armed forces have the ability but perhaps not the resources. I did read a few ex-chiefs support the idea in principle but raising the economical/environmental concerns you allude to.


Well said mate.. I have numerous civvy qualifications including nuclear qualifications. and I have never had to kill anyone

[steakbake]

And watching three men burning in a tank, going 'uuurghhh'?

http://www.comedy.co.uk/images/library/people/180x200/i/im_alan_partridge_michael.jpg

Exactly!

[Geo_1875]

Well said mate.. I have numerous civvy qualifications including nuclear qualifications. and I have never had to kill anyone

Not that you know about :)

[Wilson]

There are enough avenues into military service for those whom it might suit. Enough of a recruitment presence at jobcentres and colleges. There are benefits to service in terms of training and life skills. It is up to the services to make these attractive to people who might be a fit for them. It isn't for everyone though so using national service as a catch all for those that don't immediately find their way in the world would be a mistake.

For me it is an outdated model. Much like royalty.

[steakbake]

There are enough avenues into military service for those whom it might suit. Enough of a recruitment presence at jobcentres and colleges. There are benefits to service in terms of training and life skills. It is up to the services to make these attractive to people who might be a fit for them. It isn't for everyone though so using national service as a catch all for those that don't immediately find their way in the world would be a mistake.

For me it is an outdated model. Much like royalty.

My earlier post (minor repairs and killing) was just a wee joke based on the Alan Partridge character, Michael.

On this issue, I agree with this. I think all too often people just immediately think of the army as if it is the 4th or 5th emergency service.

In the C21, I think the army is struggling for validity and a role apart from being the wing of foreign policy that it has been used for in the past. It's not about defence in our case, or at least it hasn't been recently.

The army is not the answer to everything.

[liamh2202]

Not that you know about :)

Bit of a whoosh moment but I think I would know if we had ;) my qualifications are reactor based not weapons based anyhow :p

[Hibrandenburg]

The army have enough on their hands without lumbering them with a bunch of people who don't want to be there. The military has an important role to fill and that isn't providing some form of correction institution.

[snooky]

Bring it back says Prince Harry.... :rolleyes:

Maybe we could insist immigrants do it.
And if someone misses an appointment at the job centre.
Yams? They've already won a world war all by themselves.
Anyone with a mental health issue?

Just trying to list groups of people who are a drain on Cameron's perfect United Kingdom.

any suggestions?! :greengrin

"National Service will be resumed as soon as possible"
Didn't the BBC use that slogan when the telly broke down way back when? :wink:

I bailed out the Cubs because it was far too disciplined so hell knows what I'd be like if forced into National Service.

[Colr]

"National Service will be resumed as soon as possible"
Didn't the BBC use that slogan when the telly broke down way back when? :wink:

I bailed out the Cubs because it was far too disciplined so hell knows what I'd be like if forced into National Service.

Boys Brigade taught me to polish my shoes properly!!

[NAE NOOKIE]

I will be eternally grateful that national service ended the year I was born ... I would have made a rubbish soldier .:greengrin

[heretoday]

The army have enough on their hands without lumbering them with a bunch of people who don't want to be there. The military has an important role to fill and that isn't providing some form of correction institution.

You are right. I do think some form of Nat Service would be a good idea but without the military aspect. What I'm talking about is vocational training which we should be doing anyway.

[Colr]

You are right. I do think some form of Nat Service would be a good idea but without the military aspect. What I'm talking about is vocational training which we should be doing anyway.

I think its the military style discipline and order that advocates are proposing. Independent schools have cadets - I suppose this may prepare those who might go into the military as a career.

[heretoday]

The forces are often advertised as a channel through which young people can obtain a trade for later life, the price being square-bashing and going to war. National Service would have to include an element of the former but none of the latter. We are talking about encouraging teamwork and respect for others. I don't see it happening myself.

[Speedy]

There are enough avenues into military service for those whom it might suit. Enough of a recruitment presence at jobcentres and colleges. There are benefits to service in terms of training and life skills. It is up to the services to make these attractive to people who might be a fit for them. It isn't for everyone though so using national service as a catch all for those that don't immediately find their way in the world would be a mistake.

For me it is an outdated model. Much like royalty.

Agree completely. It's a terrible idea.

[liamh2202]

I see every day how the forces are struggling to keep people who actually signed up never mind people who would have no choice.. Terrible idea .

[Bristolhibby]

Yesterday's news, when britain ruled the waves and had an empire.

Even the Americans don't do it.

We couldn't afford it as we would have to house, pay, feed and train kids who would rather be doing something productive or studying at Uni.

I have problems with these work fare type solutions, for me it's just a cheap way of getting cheap labour, massaging the unemployment figures and transferring the work of kids into the share price of businesses big and small.

If there is work for the kids, pay them a decent wage to do it.
If they can work helping the elderly, then pay them for the work. Don't make them work for a pittance so some care company dosent have to employ somone and pay them the full market rate for their labour.

J