Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Back at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some of you may have noticed the sudden appearance of armed forces recruitment adverts. These were as a result of military risk assessments, that assessed the likelihood of British armed forces directly engaging with a foreign military power were increasing.

Well, it appears that the target age group are just not interested in joining up. The navy is even having to consider scraping some of its vessels, as it cannot recruit enough people to operate them.

Now, today, we have articles like this one appearing, with military chiefs hinting at conscription (although the MOD then denying it) and saying the public need to get ready to fight and be put on a war footing - www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/24 ... ght-russia

And Tobias Ellwood has been doing the media rounds this morning, also pushing the message.



Depending on your circumstances, and the age of your children/grandchildren, I think it's time to start considering your possible exit options. Also, if defence budgets are to increase, you'd better get used to a lack of public services.

How about we enlist all the young men making their way over in the small boats? Do 5 years in the Army, get refugee status? Win/win.

Not a bad shout.

Perhaps we could offer prizes for whoever gets to 10+ enemy kills first. And, just to keep everyone else's motivation up, a prize for who is in second place too.

Amazing, I think PJ may have finally solved the small boat crisis too, all in a one line post.

Are women allowed to be conscripted? Checking in case I need to recalibrate some of my opinions sharpish

Dunners wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:58 pm Well, it appears that the target age group are just not interested in joining up. The navy is even having to consider scraping some of its vessels, as it cannot recruit enough people to operate them.

For some time now Armed forces in the UK (and other places like the US) have been much more interested in meeting diversity quotas and targets than recruiting those who are willing and able to serve their country. No surprise to see shortfalls in many areas.

faldO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:33 pm

Dunners wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:58 pm Well, it appears that the target age group are just not interested in joining up. The navy is even having to consider scraping some of its vessels, as it cannot recruit enough people to operate them.

For some time now Armed forces in the UK (and other places like the US) have been much more interested in meeting diversity quotas and targets than recruiting those who are willing and able to serve their country. No surprise to see shortfalls in many areas.

So does that mean that the armed forces have been turning away potential recruits who are fit, able and willing - because they're not dark, female or in some other way "diverse" enough? Sounds a bit far fetched, to be honest.

I'd have thought they'd snap anyone up - even if they were too white/male etc.

StillSpike wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:47 pm

faldO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:33 pm

Dunners wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:58 pm Well, it appears that the target age group are just not interested in joining up. The navy is even having to consider scraping some of its vessels, as it cannot recruit enough people to operate them.

For some time now Armed forces in the UK (and other places like the US) have been much more interested in meeting diversity quotas and targets than recruiting those who are willing and able to serve their country. No surprise to see shortfalls in many areas.

So does that mean that the armed forces have been turning away potential recruits who are fit, able and willing - because they're not dark, female or in some other way "diverse" enough? Sounds a bit far fetched, to be honest.

I'd have thought they'd snap anyone up - even if they were too white/male etc.

I'd have thought so too. But this article from June 2023 suggests that the RAF disagreed:

https://news.sky.com/story/raf-recruite ... s-12893684

StillSpike wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:47 pm

faldO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:33 pm

Dunners wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:58 pm Well, it appears that the target age group are just not interested in joining up. The navy is even having to consider scraping some of its vessels, as it cannot recruit enough people to operate them.

For some time now Armed forces in the UK (and other places like the US) have been much more interested in meeting diversity quotas and targets than recruiting those who are willing and able to serve their country. No surprise to see shortfalls in many areas.

So does that mean that the armed forces have been turning away potential recruits who are fit, able and willing - because they're not dark, female or in some other way "diverse" enough? Sounds a bit far fetched, to be honest.

https://news.sky.com/story/raf-pauses-j ... s-12674409

If the RAF set certain targets for numbers of recruits of women and ethnic minorities amongst their intake, and those targets are not met (for whatever reason), but the shortfall is then not made up from "white blokes" because of hiring freezes despite them wanting to do the jobs, then it is no surprises there are shortages of personnel.

No. 1 daughter is getting oodles of extra hours as a Reservist, but they only pay the minimum wage. She's hoping for a 6-month full-time mobilisation to get the full pay.

All the services are short of numbers, some sectors in each service are worse than others.

Anyone with a Union Flag / George Cross and or the word Patriot in their bio. Money where your mouth is time.

We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

faldO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:13 pm

StillSpike wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:47 pm

faldO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:33 pm

For some time now Armed forces in the UK (and other places like the US) have been much more interested in meeting diversity quotas and targets than recruiting those who are willing and able to serve their country. No surprise to see shortfalls in many areas.

So does that mean that the armed forces have been turning away potential recruits who are fit, able and willing - because they're not dark, female or in some other way "diverse" enough? Sounds a bit far fetched, to be honest.

https://news.sky.com/story/raf-pauses-j ... s-12674409

If the RAF set certain targets for numbers of recruits of women and ethnic minorities amongst their intake, and those targets are not met (for whatever reason), but the shortfall is then not made up from "white blokes" because of hiring freezes despite them wanting to do the jobs, then it is no surprises there are shortages of personnel.

The strange thing is that most Air, Army and Sea Cadet Corps have a higher disproportionate membership from ethnic minorities, this I am told is because many decent schools especially private ones have a Cadet Corp detachment. This runs in parallel to schemes like Duke of Edinburgh.

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm
Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country.

Seeing as he’s half Greek isn’t the King himself an “ethic” man?

Or is it only specific types of “ethnic men” you’re referring to here?

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

Trying too hard now. Sad.

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

Congratulations - your dumbest ever post. If we were to have a war it would be a war declared by the current administration - not King or Country - not sure how a Country can decide to go to war tbh. Personally, I wouldn't trust the current administration/government to tell me what day of the week it was. I certainly wouldn't want to go and risk my life based on some bullshit reason a Tory government had come up with. Risk my life for lies, lies and more lies - I don't think so. Mind you, I'm of Volksturm age but I'd gladly hide my son in the cupboard under the stairs rather than let him become cannon fodder for the whim of a corrupt government. If you disagree then you can go f**k yourself to be frank.

Proposition Joe wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:25 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

Trying too hard now. Sad.

You're right of course but I still felt the need to point out what crap this was. Maybe I won't have another beer...

BoniO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:27 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

Congratulations - your dumbest ever post. If we were to have a war it would be a war declared by the current administration - not King or Country - not sure how a Country can decide to go to war tbh. Personally, I wouldn't trust the current administration/government to tell me what day of the week it was. I certainly wouldn't want to go and risk my life based on some bullshit reason a Tory government had come up with. Risk my life for lies, lies and more lies - I don't think so. Mind you, I'm of Volksturm age but I'd gladly hide my son in the cupboard under the stairs rather than let him become cannon fodder for the whim of a corrupt government. If you disagree then you can go f**k yourself to be frank.

Your blustering unpatriotic rant has simply proved my point. Thank you.

The Reverend wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:15 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm
Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country.

Seeing as he’s half Greek isn’t the King himself an “ethic” man?

Or is it only specific types of “ethnic men” you’re referring to here?

I am not saying every ethnic would fail to fight but from what I have heard over the past few years and as evidenced in numerous protests , many are very unpatriotic. ‘Not in my name’ ‘Not my King’ ‘Not my Queen’. ‘Not my War’ ‘Not my PM’ etc. the King is not half Greek his father was so he has some ethnicity but he is the King , most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist. I think the Government know this. Perhaps this is why the high ranking officer raised the subject to prove a point with the backlash which will no doubt follow in the media .

BoniO wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:29 pm

Proposition Joe wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:25 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm We are a weak nation mentally. Z generation cannot work out what sex they want to be and could get upset if a Sgt Major did not get their pronouns right. Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country. (I have heard young callers phoning up radio stations saying precisely this). We would be fcuked if war broke out. I do not think the Government are that daft not to realise this and that is why they have built our defences on wars than can be controlled from a room and no reliance on weak willed mummy’s boys who cannot iron a shirt, get their own dinner , get upset if a spot pops on their face or have a panic attack if their phone signal goes. That will be one of the biggest setbacks , mobile phone loss anxiety Asni way would they be allowed these in combat. It is truly alarming how pathetic some of our youth have become.

Trying too hard now. Sad.

You're right of course but I still felt the need to point out what crap this was. Maybe I won't have another beer...

Go on , have another, get it off your chest.

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:52 pm

The Reverend wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:15 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:02 pm
Many young ethnic men have no allegiance to the King and Country.

Seeing as he’s half Greek isn’t the King himself an “ethic” man?

Or is it only specific types of “ethnic men” you’re referring to here?

I am not saying every ethnic would fail to fight but from what I have heard over the past few years and as evidenced in numerous protests , many are very unpatriotic. ‘Not in my name’ ‘Not my King’ ‘Not my Queen’. ‘Not my War’ ‘Not my PM’ etc. the King is not half Greek his father was so he has some ethnicity but he is the King , most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist. I think the Government know this. Perhaps this is why the high ranking officer raised the subject to prove a point with the backlash which will no doubt follow in the media .

you’ve said that “ethnic” young people are not willing to fight in this imaginary war of yours. Then within the same post you’ve claimed that “ most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist”


If it’s “most youngsters” why did you initially single out “ethnic” youngsters?

The Reverend wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:55 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:52 pm

The Reverend wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:15 pm

Seeing as he’s half Greek isn’t the King himself an “ethic” man?

Or is it only specific types of “ethnic men” you’re referring to here?

I am not saying every ethnic would fail to fight but from what I have heard over the past few years and as evidenced in numerous protests , many are very unpatriotic. ‘Not in my name’ ‘Not my King’ ‘Not my Queen’. ‘Not my War’ ‘Not my PM’ etc. the King is not half Greek his father was so he has some ethnicity but he is the King , most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist. I think the Government know this. Perhaps this is why the high ranking officer raised the subject to prove a point with the backlash which will no doubt follow in the media .

you’ve said that “ethnic” young people are not willing to fight in this imaginary war of yours. Then within the same post you’ve claimed that “ most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist”


If it’s “most youngsters” why did you initially single out “ethnic” youngsters?

Because I listen to what many ethnic youngsters say on the radio TV and in various publications saying they feel more allegiance to the countries where their parents originated from primarily , which to a certain extent is understandable. The important point is the average youngster these days does not have the courage and spirit of the First World War generation, not that it was right to enlist and defend our freedom today.

Yep, it really is a bot

Hoover Attack wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:12 pm Yep, it really is a bot

I wish it was but think it’s just another alias for one of the multiple wummers. He really needs to get a life.

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:03 pm

The Reverend wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:55 pm

Daily Express bot wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:52 pm

I am not saying every ethnic would fail to fight but from what I have heard over the past few years and as evidenced in numerous protests , many are very unpatriotic. ‘Not in my name’ ‘Not my King’ ‘Not my Queen’. ‘Not my War’ ‘Not my PM’ etc. the King is not half Greek his father was so he has some ethnicity but he is the King , most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist. I think the Government know this. Perhaps this is why the high ranking officer raised the subject to prove a point with the backlash which will no doubt follow in the media .

you’ve said that “ethnic” young people are not willing to fight in this imaginary war of yours. Then within the same post you’ve claimed that “ most youngsters of ‘fighting age ‘ would run away rather than enlist”


If it’s “most youngsters” why did you initially single out “ethnic” youngsters?

Because I listen to what many ethnic youngsters say on the radio TV and in various publications saying they feel more allegiance to the countries where their parents originated from primarily , which to a certain extent is understandable. The important point is the average youngster these days does not have the courage and spirit of the First World War generation, not that it was right to enlist and defend our freedom today.

I can't speak for anyone else, but my kids were born in australia and at 9 and 12 see themselves as australian.

As for courage of the first world war generation, how would you know, it's not until you're thrust into the situation that you really find out how brave you are.