this may be a slight post drift but i was reading this morning about army recruits being at least 18. seems obvious enough but why not think radically - army recruits should be at least 60 year old and paid a proper wage instead of having to rely on a pension. generally, young people are more inclined to get on with many people from abroad and like the opportunities that a more integrated europe (and the world) offers - it seems cruel to be encouraging them to fight their friends. this would also solve the problem of old folk feeling lonely and lacking purpose - so many these days have nowt better to do than bicker and insult each other online.