Army brass slammed for faking quotes from recruits to encourage young Scots to sign up
BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk ARMY chiefs have been accused of exploiting young Scots soldiers by making up quotes praising military life.
Child Soldiers International spotted that comments said to have been made by dozens of different graduates of the Army Foundation College were almost identical.
The quotes appeared in regional newspapers in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK.
In March last year, teen Aaron Kechida appeared in the Dunfermline Press celebrating the end of his training to be a junior soldier at a passing out parade in Harrogate.
The 17-year-old, from Dunfermline, said: “Graduating from AFC Harrogate in front of my friends and family is something that I am very proud of doing. They are all really proud and happy for me.
He added: “I’ve been paid really well for someone of my age and I’ve got some really useful qualifications. I’m now really looking forward to the next stage of my Army career.”
A few months later, in the Irvine Herald, teen Andrew McMahon also spoke of his pride after completing his British Army junior entry training at Uniacke Barracks in Harrogate – using exactly the same words.
Rachel Taylor, director of programmes at Child Soldiers International – who campaign against the recruitment of under-18s to the Armed Forces – said defence chiefs were manipulating the facts.
She said: “By scripting fake quotes from young soldiers, the MoD are using regional newspapers as free advertising and presenting a carefully manipulated vision of Armed Forces life as if it were unvarnished truth.
“This denies young recruits and their parents the opportunity to hear what Army life is really like in soldiers’ own words before making a decision about enlisting.’”
The row comes just days after a major event to celebrate Army, Navy and Air Force cadets in Glasgow’s George Square. Cadets are a youth movement for young people aged between 12 and 18 years old, who forces chiefs say teaches them life skills, citizenship, self-discipline and confidence.
Glasgow North East MP and shadow Scotland Minister Paul Sweeney joined the Army reserves at the age of 17.
He said: “I am fully supportive of the career opportunities and apprenticeships that are available to young soldiers joining the Army Foundation College from the age of 16.
“It is important to note that no one under the age of 18 is actively deployed on operational duties in our Armed Forces.
“This question of using stock quotes is not necessarily an attempt to censor the real views of young soldiers – usually personnel will fill out standard forms that are sent to their local newspapers who may wish to run a story of someone local achieving success in their chosen career.
“But the Army should clarify the process they use to provide direct quotes from noncommissioned personnel to the press and ensure that these are absolutely original.”
Liz Saville Roberts MP has spoken out about young soldiers in the past. She said: “The Armed Forces have a duty, like all public organisations, to be transparent.
“The UK Government must urgently review their policy on enlisting children.”
An Army spokesman said: “Junior soldier graduates volunteer to participate in these articles and are right to be extremely proud of their achievements.
“Everyone featured in these articles receives appropriate guidance and support from an Army press officer.”