Title:

The Armed Forces

Publish Date:

September 2011

ISBN:

978 1 86168 593 3

Covering Ages:

16 to 18 years

Issue Description

British service personnel are currently stationed in locations all over the world. The Armed Forces looks at issues affecting members of our armed forces: the army, naval service and Royal Air Force. It covers topics such as service-related mental ill health; the aftermath of physical injury; the future of the armed services in the wake of government cuts and redundancies; the role of women and young people in armed combat, and at problems which confront veterans on leaving the armed services.

The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

Price:

£7.95

Quantity:

Key Facts

• If you’re under 18 when you join the Army, you can leave by giving 14 days’ notice at any time after you’ve been in the Army for 28 days – provided this is within six months from the day you join. (page 1)
  
  
• In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, it is normal for people to experience some of the typical symptoms of PTSD. However, if symptoms are prolonged for more than one month, a clinical diagnosis of PTSD might be made. (page 4)
  
  
• In 2010, a total of 187 deaths occurred among the UK regular Armed Forces, of which 30 were serving in the Naval Service, 136 in the Army and 21 in the RAF. (page 9)
  
  
• The MoD has completed a review into the policy that excludes female members of the Armed Forces from carrying out ground close-combat roles and decided that it should remain unchanged. (page 12)
  
  
• The UK is one of a handful of states – fewer than 20 – which still recruit 16-year-olds into their Armed Forces. (page 15)
  
  
• The Strategic Defence and Security Review will lead to reductions in manpower over the next five years across all three services and the civilians in defence. The Royal Navy will reduce by around 5,000 personnel, the Army by 7,000, the RAF by 5,000 and civilians by 25,000. (page 17)
  
  
• The Military Covenant was conceived as an expression of the mutual obligations which exist between the nation, the Army and each individual soldier. It made clear that those who serve should expect to be treated fairly, to be valued and to be respected, in recognition of the extraordinary commitment and sacrifices which they were called upon to make. (page 25)
  
  
• Territorial soldiers and officers train in their spare time to provide support to full-time regular units when they’re needed. From doctors and nurses in field hospitals to infantry soldiers working on the front line, most Army jobs are open to Territorials. (page 30)
  
  
• The incidence of mental health issues arising from military service is a major issue; since 2005, for example, the charity Combat Stress has reported an increase of 72 per cent in the number of former military personnel seeking help. Their current workload includes over 4,400 veterans. (page 33)
  
  
• Official estimates suggest that English and Welsh prisons hold around 3,000 ex-servicemen. (page 36)

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Military Matters

Frequently asked questions about the British Army, Service-related mental ill health, Servicemen in Iraq less stressed than emergency services in Britain, The UK Armed Forces – past, present and future, UK charities struggle to cope with wounded soldiers, ‘Surgery saved my hand after bomb blast’, Deaths in the UK regular Armed Forces, ‘I lost my leg in Iraq’, MoD completes review into women in close combat, Bearing babies and bearing arms is always incompatible, Catch 16–22, Under 18s’ right of discharge, Strategic Defence and Security Review published, The Strategic Defence and Security Review: a criticism, It’s time for Britain to merge its Army, Navy and Air Force, Armed Forces Covenant ‘an historic breakthrough', The Armed Forces Covenant, Some observations on the Armed Forces Covenant, Yes, we owe our Armed Forces – but Cameron’s leaky law is not enough, What is the Territorial Army (TA)?.

Chapter 2 Life After Service

Leaving the Armed Forces, Ex-military to be inspiring role models for young people, Veterans’ mental health, MoD offers PTSD therapy, Veterans and homelessness, Ex-servicemen in prison, From hero to zero.

Key Facts
Glossary
Index
Acknowledgements
Assignments

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