G I Jimmy

I am loving this story about getting kids involved in national service training schemes.

Infact, if I was First Minister for a day I think some sort of national service would be one of my top 3 policies. Seriously. Good job Jack McConnell. If that is infact your real name...


Kids leave school in Scotland at the age of 16-18. Girls have had the angst of teenage rebellion, constant worry about boys, best friends, best friends dumping them for other friends etc etc Emotional trauma through and through. Boys just play football all day and occasionally have the odd fight or avoid all of the above by joining the chess, choir and debating society. (Yes, I am talking about myself here!)

They stagger out the front door with their stupid small ties and shirts untucked to their knees. How are such simpletons expected to know what university degree to follow or apprenticeships to take when they can barely tie their own shoelaces.

And keeping in mind the pensions crisis and the fact we are all going to have to work till we're 80 anyway, what's the rush in getting into the rat race or falling asleep at the back of a lecture hall in some college. Pace yourself, know what career you want after a year out and then more effort will be put into studies preventing the 50% drop out rates that were once seen in the late 90s.


A bit of voluntary service and getting to understand how the world works outside of Maths class would be invaluable for kids at a tricky age. I know a guy who drove ambulances for the army in Germany after he left school, says it did him the world of good. He's now 28 and you'll struggle to meet a sharper more world aware person. Of course, he was probably a bit of a genius while at school but we can gloss over that.


Of course, having seen Fahrenheit 9/11 and the unfortunate tactics of the US Army recruiting sargeants targetting malls and job centres in deeply deprived areas, there is a chance this is a similar ploy to boost the army's numbers with "cannon fodder". I sincerely hope not but then, who knows where our overstretched soldiers may have to be sent to next.


But for now, good effort Jack McDonald. I salute you.