Actually I do suspect most people in those camps probably aren't refugees, and are debris left over from people who are illegal, probably looking to get in under the wire, work illegally etc. I suspect many are looking to get out of France, as they're known there. Some might very well be genuine, but I'd imagine most aren't. That doesn't mean we should assume the worst about them, or treat them like feral animals (much in the way the French authorities have). The problem is that they haven't been properly dealt with, left to their own devices and that problem has escalated and escalated.

That said, the perception of people who are British, about things that are British, is usually rather bias.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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That my learned friend is the biggest load of bollicks I have ever had the misfortune to read. Let me put you straight.

Maybe once upon a time if you'd f***ed up in life the Army may have been your last resort at eking out a fairly decent existence.

That is not the case now, and hasn’t been for over a decade. Due to recent terror threats, the back ground checks alone on individuals are very in depth, plus every single soldier in the British army has to be at Grade C or above in Maths and English. If you want a trade you need to have in most cases 5 GCSE’s Grade D or above with a C in maths English and a Science. Not to mention the absolutely NO DRUGS rule, the youngsters who join the army these days are probably the only kids in Britain that don’t smoke or haven’t smoked weed, or shove Charlie up their nose like its the last gram on Earth, ( a quick in the bogs in the Holmesdale will back up that claim)

The level of technology involved in weapon systems these days means they can’t be operated by any idiot who fancies a tear up, or can lob a brick as you claim. Even the vehicles are crammed full of tech that would give most civvies a headache. And that’s just the bullet catchers (infantry)

As for subversion and infiltration I think you need to stop watching Spooks.

As for prison, the Army operates strictly within the rules of the rehabilitation of offenders act, as a general rule of thumb any time spent in prison is normally a bar to service before you even fill out the application form.

You also have to hold a British passport, if you hold a common wealth one, you have to have a visa that enables you to work, and have at least 6 months left on it.

It really grips my s*** that people think any old idiot can get in the Army, it simply isn’t the case, I worked in Army recruiting for two years, and the drop out rate was phenomenal, I sh1t you not probably about 1 out of every 15 that came through the door passed all the tests and made it through basic to become qualified soldiers, that’s before they even start learning their chosen trade at Phase two, which dependant on trade could be anything from 14 Weeks to 3 Years !!!

I honestly resent your assumption that an illegal immigrant would make a good soldier, it's offensive to those that have, or do serve and the sacrifices they make.

Frankly I expected better.

"It's not the bullet that's got my name on it that concerns me; it's all them other ones flyin' around marked 'To Whom It May Concern.'"

I fully agree. I was in the infantry and there's the mental toughness, the will to succeed, your application and discipline to keep fit and push your body beyond it's usual limits, weapons-taking them apart and maintaining them in the field-doing that with numb hands from the cold up on the Catterick moores, or having to cope with the extreme desert conditions. Then there's tactics, being alert and being a team player as your colleagues lives depend on that.
People who assume just anyone can join the army have obviously never done it themselves.

How very grown up.

How very patronising.

Who cares? I certainly don't.