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Military recruitment

Military recruitment refers to the activity of attracting people to, and selecting them for, military training and employment.

For compulsory military service, see Conscription.

Outreach and marketing[edit]

Early years[edit]

The process of attracting children and young people to military employment begins in their early years. In Germany, Israel, Poland, the UK, the US, and elsewhere, the armed forces visit schools frequently, including primary schools, to encourage children to enlist once they become old enough to do so.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35] For example, a poster used by the German armed forces in schools reads: "After school you have the world at your feet, make it safer." ["Nach der Schule liegt dir die Welt zu Füßen, mach sie sicherer."][29] In the US, recruiters have right of access to all schools and to the contact details of students,[35] and are encouraged to embed themselves into the school community.[34] A former head of recruitment for the British Army, Colonel (latterly Brigadier) David Allfrey, explained the British approach in 2007:

Traditionally masculine associations. Historically and today, recruitment materials frequently associate military life with that of a traditionally warrior, which is officially encouraged as a martial ideal.[50][51][52] For example, Cold War US Army slogans included "Join the army, Be a man" and "The army will make a man out of you";[53] in 2007 a new slogan was introduced: "There's strong. Then there's army strong".[54] Similarly, recruiters describe the Israeli infantryman as "discovering all your strengths";[55] and the British is "harder, faster, fitter, stronger".[56]

masculine

Teamwork and belonging. Some armed forces appeal to potential recruits with the promise of teamwork and camaraderie. An example is the , which introduced the slogan "This is belonging" in 2017.[57]

British Army

Patriotic service. Some armed forces present military life as a patriotic service. For example, the slogan for the German is "We. Serve. Germany." ["Wir. Dienen. Deutschland."], and an advertisement for the Israeli Defense Forces encourages potential recruits to "Above all, fight [kravi] for your country, because there is no place better than Israel."[55]

Bundeswehr

Challenge and adventure. Military life is promised to be exciting, including world travel and adventurous training. In 2015, the presentation to schools included prominent images of scuba diving and snowboarding, for example.[58]

British Army

Education and skills. The armed forces are often presented as a means to learn new skills.[57][60] For example, the Swedish armed forces encourage potential recruits with the promise of "education that leads to a job where you can make a difference".[59]

[59]

Recruitment marketing seeks to appeal to potential recruits in the following ways:

Application process[edit]

Typically, candidates for military employment apply online or at a recruitment centre.


Many eligibility criteria normally apply, which may be related to age, nationality, height and weight (body mass index), medical history, psychiatric history, illicit drug use, criminal record, academic results, proof of identity, satisfactory references, and whether any tattoos are visible. A minimum standard of academic attainment may be required for entry, for certain technical roles, or for entry to train for a leadership position as a commissioned officer. Candidates who meet the criteria will normally also undergo aptitude test, medical examination, psychological interview, job interview and fitness assessment.


Depending on whether the application criteria are met, and depending also on which military units have vacancies for new recruits, candidates may or may not be offered a job in a certain role or roles. Candidates who accept a job offer then wait for their recruit training to begin. Either at or before the start of their training, candidates swear or affirm an oath of allegiance and/or sign their joining papers.


The period between the initial application to swearing the oath may be several weeks or months. During this time many candidates drop out. For example, in 2017 about 1 in 20 applicants to the British Army were eventually enlisted.[61]


Most state armed forces that enlist minors (persons under the age of 18) are required by law to obtain the informed consent of one or both parents or legal guardians before their child's enlistment can take place.[62] In practice, consent is indicated on a form, which parents/guardians sign.


Once enlistment has taken place, recruits are subject to military terms of service and begin their initial training.

The view that war is immoral - see .

pacifism

The view that some military organizations are a tool of - see anti-imperialism.

imperialism

Evidence from Australia, Canada, France, the UK, and the US that abusive behaviour such as , racism, sexism and sexual violence, and homophobia are common in military organizations.[67] See, for example, Women in the military and Sexual orientation and gender identity in military service.

bullying

Evidence from the UK and US that and employment lead to higher rates of mental health and behavioural problems than are usually found in civilian life, particularly after personnel have left the armed forces.[68]

military training

Evidence from Germany, Israel, the UK, and the US that sanitise war, glorify the role of military personnel, and obscure the risks and obligations of military employment, thereby misleading potential recruits, particularly adolescents from socio-economically deprived backgrounds.[69]

recruiting practices

Evidence from Germany, the UK, and elsewhere that recruiters target, and capitalise on the precarious position of socio-economically deprived young people as potential recruits.

[70]

The fact that some armed forces rely on children aged 16 or 17 to fill their ranks, and evidence from Australia, Israel, the UK and from the Vietnam era in the US that these youngest recruits are most likely to be adversely affected by the demands and risks of military life.

[71]

Counter-recruitment refers to activity opposing military recruitment, or aspects of it. Among its forms are political advocacy, consciousness-raising, and direct action. The rationale for counter-recruitment activity may be based on any of the following reasons:


Armed forces spokespeople have defended the status quo by recourse to the following:

Recruitment slogans and images[edit]

Slogans[edit]

Armed forces have made effective use of short slogans to inspire young people to enlist, with themes ranging from personal development (particularly personal power), societal service, and patriotic duty. For example, as of 2017 current slogans included:

Military service

Women in the military

Children in the military

LGBT people and military service

Transgender people and military service

Conscription

Impressment

Counter-recruitment

Recruit training

Military science

http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/31/4/559

Manigart, Philippe. "Risks and Recruitment in Postmodern Armed Forces: The Case of Belgium." Armed Forces & Society, Jul 2005; vol. 31: pp. 559–582.


Dandeker, Christopher and Alan Strachan. "Soldier Recruitment to the British Army: a Spatial and Social Methodology for Analysis and Monitoring." Armed Forces & Society, Jan 1993; vol. 19: pp. 279–290.


Snyder, William P. "Officer Recruitment for the All-Volunteer Force: Trends and Prospects." Armed Forces & Society, Apr 1984; vol. 10: pp. 401–425.


Griffith, James. "Institutional Motives for Serving in the U.S. Army National Guard: Implications for Recruitment, Retention, and Readiness." Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2008; vol. 34: pp. 230–258.


Fitzgerald, John A. "Changing Patterns of Officer Recruitment at the U.S. Naval Academy." Armed Forces & Society, Oct 1981; vol. 8: pp. 111–128.


Eighmey, John. "Why Do Youth Enlist?: Identification of Underlying Themes." Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2006; vol. 32: pp. 307–328.