I am writing in reply to the article “Tanks (but no tanks)”, ( TES Friday magazine March 26). It was rather sad to read such an unbalanced, ill-informed, immature argument from a deputy head teacher.

The armednbsp;forces are as entitled to recruit in schools as any other organisation. After all, we do not have conscription in this democracy, so no one is forced to serve. The armed forces do provide an excellent career path with outstanding vocational training; of that there can be little doubt.

The fact that the anonymous writer chose to focus on blood and death shows hownbsp;little he knows about the subject he so detests. The vast majority of armed forces personnel are involved in non-combat roles such as logistics, medical services, engineering, communication and other jobs. Only the infantry, which is a small fraction of our armed forces, is directlynbsp;tasked with combat roles, where required.

Everyone knows this and what it entails, it needs no reiteration.nbsp;Your contributor focused on a bizarre range of images such as “baldnbsp;men in big boots”, “road pizzas” and other unreal descriptions which say a good deal about his level of understanding of the subject matter.

He thinks recruiters should focus on bloody stories and tales of military folly. He chose the disasters of the First World War as his references, yet he forgot to take account of the armies which defeated the mass murdering Nazis or those which protect his freedom to write such poor articles criticising them.

Surely even he can see that without the armed forces he would not have the freedoms he enjoys today? Since they have such a valid role, surely they are entitled to recruit from all places?

G. Brough
‘C’ Company, Royal Regiment of Walesnbsp;and a teacher in a school in Wales
Cardiff