Metropol

Basically, after the Government decided to launch a trial scheme for 16 year olds in a Boot Camp style over the summer, some man for Bad Lad's Army has said it should be compulsory, and so what do you think about the entire thing?

Although I can understand it's good education for real life, and it keeps them off the streets, I personally don't agree, and think it shouldn't be compulsory.

Surely, if that happened, the freedom we are supposed to have in a Democracy would evaporate even mire? And some would feel uneasy in a situation like this. So, in my opnion if they want to do it on a non-compulsory basis, it would be fine. However, if they tried compulsory, I think it'd be a step too far.

Thought/opinions?

If it keeps them from signing up for TVF the moment school breaks up every summer, then I'm all for it.

To be honest, this has been going on for years, with the Army Cadets Force two-week annual camp in summer.

It isn't anything new, just Cameron repackaging something and passing it off as the next big thing.

As for the question of whether it should be compulsory, I think that it would be a good idea, however it should be trialled.

It really bugs me when these ex army, or 'Bad Lads Army' people insist on kids being forced into this kind of thing. It also seems like a very clumsy approach from the government. Why not fund individual projects that suit kid's needs like various art or sports activities that are already crying out for support. There are already enough of these army type camps for people inclined that way.

In my opinion, 'Summer boot camp' would have been my idea of hell. It seems like there's an attitude of punishing kids about this whole thing. So after being locked into a pretty poor education system for God knows how many months, the few weeks you have to actually explore life for yourself are possibly in danger of being taken away? Sounds crazy to me.

I also don't understand the way of thinking, that by kids attending a planned & controlled 'camp', where thousands of other kids are going to be doing the same thing, is going to give them a unique & useful experience.