[Prole]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

Knowing and understanding are not quite the same thing! etc. etc. etc...

I agree with a lot of your points, but I really strongly disagree that young people join without knowing the full implications. There's a very strong military background in my family (including a recruiting sergeant!). Every applicant is vetted, given the all facts and are in no doubt what it means to be a British soldier. They only take intelligent young people in the army, and I'm sure none of them are at all hazy about what could happen.

Also, if the age for joining the army is too young because they do not know their own mind, then the age for marriage, drinking alcohol and voting should also perhaps be raised. At eighteen you're either an adult or you're a child. The law has decided you are an adult.