B2 – Upper Intermediate
In almost every country in the world, an armed forces is a crucial part of its system. Nations maintain an armed forces to secure exclusive rights and ownership of its territory. Recently, most European countries are scrambling to strengthen its military forces especially when the Ukraine war broke out. Unfortunately, the process of recruitment proved to be much harder than it used to be.
Let’s read the article and know more about the army recruitment crisis in European countries.
https://www.euronews.com/2024/02/16/why-are-european-armies-struggling-to-recruit-soldiers
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to be spared from something” mean? “The problem is one that all European countries share – including France, Italy, Spain,” Vincenzo Bove, professor of political science at Warwick University in UK, told Euronews. “I don’t think there’s one country that’s spared from it.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to be spared from something’ in your own sentence.
- What is the meaning of “society at large” in this context? “According to Bove, the ideological distance between society at large and military forces has gotten wider in recent years.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘society at large’ in your own sentence.
- Define the word “conscription“. “While there’s no clear explanation for why this gap is getting wider, Bove said this might be related to the end of conscription…” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the reasons for European countries military recruitment crisis?
- Is a military career an appealing option for young civilians in your country? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, how can these countries boost recruitment?
- Do you agree or disagree that, “Immigration could be the answer.”? Elaborate on your stance.
- Share your thoughts on this statement, “Young civilians are overwhelmingly against wars, against increasing spending on the military and against military operations abroad; they are also more individualistic and less patriotic than those serving in the military forces.”
- Share your views on this, “What a smaller pool of applicants might mean for European armies now is that the quality of recruits accepted might not be up to the same strict standards armed forces have imposed for decades – which could in turn allow for dodgy individuals like neo-Nazi sympathisers to slip in.“.
4 replies on “European Armies Struggling to Recruit Soldiers”
1. The article analyzes several reasons why young people do not want to join the armed forces. Some are that they have a new way of seeing the life, the work is poorly paid compared with the involved risk, they have lost their patriotism, there is not geographical stability.
2. In Spain, military career is not an appealing option at all. Some years ago, the armed forces did some advertising on TV and in magazines and even did some exhibitions to try to convince people to join, due to the lack of recruitment.
3. It is very difficult to make the youth want to enter in this job. The new generations look for enjoy the life, earn money without effort; they are not accustomed to sacrifice and such a rigid military system.
4. I agree that one solution could be to hire immigrants. In fact, In Spain many new recruits are immigrants. They come to our country and if they can not find a job, the military career is an alternative to solve their problems.
5. Youth are being educated in other different standards such as it is better to live in peace, military investment is not necessary, and this money could be destined for other social needs. Besides, as for patriotism we have an additional problem in my country since many people feel ashamed of being Spanish and there is confrontation among different communities.
6. I do not know if this statement will be true or not. What I have realized is that the strict standards to accept new people have softened and now it can be seen recruits that some decades ago were unthinkable. My concern is if in case of a danger, will these people be able to defend us against the enemy?
Well done doing your writing practice consistently!
Take a look at better expressions you can use in this sentence:
Keep up the very good job!
Discussion Questions:
• What are the reasons for European countries military recruitment crisis?
There are some of them, for example:
• New generations have a different mindset and are far from patriot motivation
• The salary is not good enough.
• The conscription has ended long time ago.
• The young people are unfit and a lot of them would have problems to pass the military tests.
• The birth rates are decreasing every year and so the young people available.
• In your opinion, how can these countries boost recruitment?
From my own perspective is very important to modernize the Armed Forces, to invest more in them, so they can have offer better training, better salaries, more perks and so forth. Also it could be an option to immigrants to serve in the Army and get faster the nationality and so forth. For sure a Marketing campaign can help significantly to make more attractive the Army.
• Share your thoughts on this statement, “Young civilians are overwhelmingly against wars, against increasing spending on the military and against military operations abroad; they are also more individualistic and less patriotic than those serving in the military forces.”
100% agree with that, to serve in the Army is a big deal, it is not a simple and ordinary job and require a lot of sacrifice and pain and even you likely can die if they send you to a conflict zone, etc…
• Is a military career an appealing option in your country? Why or why not?
Not at all, as the article say, there is not a good salary, the Army has not now appealing like years ago, the mentality have changed a lot and people are against war, etc.
Job well done answering your lesson’s discussion questions.
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