An economic draft? Drive to get young Neets in the military divides opinion

Y oung people looking for employment should “really seriously take a look at the armed forces”, according to the veterans minister, Louise Sandher-Jones, and with more than 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets), everyone that age is aware of how bleak the job market is at present. But not all agree about whether the military is the answer. Alexandra Williams is from rural Lincolnshire and studied law at a university in Manchester. She went in with the intention of becoming a lawyer, but early on was led to believe that would be impossible. “One of my lecturers was like: you’ve got no contacts, you’re not going to get anywhere,” she says. Looking for opportunities, she joined the local University Officer Training Corps, an army reserve unit that exclusively recruits university students. There she was given extra responsibilities alongside regular combat training such as running their social media accounts, helping with recruitment and doing press work with Soldier Magazine. “Most people leave uni and they’re struggling to get jobs,” says Williams. Now, at 24, she is starting a career in PR and says she wouldn’t have succeeded without her experience in the army. She keeps up her connection with the military as a combat medic in the army reserves. For Williams, the options were always open to maintain a civilian life while developing her interest in the armed forces. …