Is 16 too young to join the Army?
In fact, would-be recruits can apply to join the British army when they are 15 years and seven months old. In the US, the minimum recruitment age is 17.
Although parental consent is required for those under the age of 18, British teenagers can sign up to fight for their country before they are legally allowed to smoke, buy alcohol or drive.
While British soldiers cannot be sent to war zones until they are 18, Child Soldiers International claim 16- and 17-year-old soldiers have a higher incidence of mental health and behavioural problems than older recruits.
The British Army has been criticised for specifically targeting young people from working-class backgrounds via social media on and around GCSE results day.
What are your views? How would you feel if your 16-year-old son, daughter or grandchild wanted to enlist? Would you support this?
