Army recruitment at 16 should stop

Summary:

Two human rights group wrote a report in which they stated that the Ministry of Defence pays twice as much to train a 16-year-old as it costs to train an adult. These higher costs are due to longer training of twice or almost four times as long, and a higher drop-out rate. Furthermore, some are still too young to join the army after finishing their training. On the other hand however, the under-18s who complete their training, are likely to serve one fourth longer in general than the over-18s. Besides that joining the army as a teenager will give you self-confidence, self-discipline and self-determination.

Words: 104

Own opinion:

Teaching at a military school myself, I do recognize the high drop-out rate of 16-year-olds, but I cannot say whether this percentage is higher than at any other school. I believe that for any under-18-year-old it is hard to make a decision about what you want to do with the rest of your life, because they are young. I also see, on the other hand, that this training does indeed give them self-confidence, -determination and especially self-discipline, which I think a lot of boys and girls their age, lack these days.

Words: 91

Source: 

(23 April 2013), Army recruitment at 16 'should stop'. BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22259982