Parents of under-18 recruits speak out about abuse at army training centre
Three parents have today spoken out about the treatment their children experienced as recruits at the Army Foundation College. CRIN has written an open letter to Ofsted, challenging the College’s ‘Outstanding’ grade in the face of abuse allegations.
The College is the British army’s dedicated training institution for recruits aged under 18. Between 2014 and 2020, recruits at the College and their parents made 60 complaints of violent behaviour by staff, including assault and battery.
CRIN has written an open letter to Ofsted today, asking why it has graded the College ‘Outstanding’ again last month despite being made aware of concerns for the welfare of children there, including longstanding allegations of abuse of recruits by staff.
Alison, the mother of a recruit who joined the Army Foundation College in 2016, says:
‘[My son…] told me he was hit, slapped, pushed, kicked and verbally abused by staff. He said he felt humiliated by this treatment and he never expected to be treated this way. He knew the training would be tough but this was abuse and the staff were power crazy… He told me all staff knew what was going on but turned a blind eye. He had family photos on display in this dorm as all the lads did. He got fed up with his corporals making vulgar comments regarding me and my daughter. He said this happened to everyone but what started out as banter became so crude he had no option other than to put the photos away… [My son] started drinking heavily and was very withdrawn… he rang me to tell me he was handing in his letter to leave. He told me his request was ripped up in his face. He was only 17 years old and devastated at not being able to leave… My son died last year while still serving in the army.’
~ Alison
Charlotte, the mother of another recruit who joined in 2016, says:
‘My son… came home for a week or two, and it was during this time that I realised all was not well at Harrogate. I overheard several conversations with his fellow recruits discussing “bathroom beatings” and “things going too far”. [He] also let slip he had been in several pubs, bars and clubs in Leeds, and was actively encouraged to attend strip clubs by the staff members in charge of his group. [My son] struggles to talk about what happened…but we know that staff bullied and abused the young recruits, as well as encouraging fighting amongst peers… He is a completely different person since his time at Harrogate. He has attempted suicide and his mental health is permanently damaged. He also sustained injuries while in army training which may turn out to be life-changing.’
~ Charlotte
Kevin, whose son joined the College in 2015, says:
‘[My son] had been bullied… he and the other recruits were talked down to, called [the c-word and the f-word] constantly, which seems at odds with AFC’s good Ofsted rating for health and well-being… In our conversations [to have our son released], we had to constantly remind officers that he was only sixteen, and in our care, even though he had sworn an oath to the British Army. The Major conceded in the end, but then another officer indicated that our son would be charged with AWOL, and said that he would never get a job or go to another college or university… As I waited for him to sign the release papers, I was able to see first hand how the young soldiers were marched and drilled, brought into line. I saw lads who were limping, some with crutches, also being drilled and marched, trying in vain to keep up with the rest of the platoon. My son said that some keeled over and fainted as they marched and stood to attention.’
~ Kevin
In the open letter to Ofsted, CRIN’s Director writes:
‘The “Outstanding” grade leads potential recruits and their parents to assume that the college offers the highest standard of care. With this open letter, we wish to repeat our concern that the college is unsafe, as evidenced by multiple formal complaints of abuse by staff, the routine use of stressors in training, and the imposition on recruits of legal obligations that deny them the right to leave at will. We believe that a civilian college with a similar record would be closed. ‘
~ Veronica Yates
Read the parents’ testimonies in full below.
Read the Guardian’s coverage of this story here.
You can find more information about CRIN’s work on military enlistment, including resources on this issue, here.
Alison’s story
“Nathan started his military career at the Army Foundation College Harrogate in 2016. Nathan was a confident, resilient lad who wanted nothing more than to be a soldier. He did a lot of research into joining the military and was more than prepared for the discipline and everything that was expected of him during training. In fact he welcomed the routine and way of life the military offered.
During the first phase of his training Nathan reported serious incidents to me; he told me he was hit, slapped, pushed, kicked and verbally abused by staff. He said he felt humiliated by this treatment and he never expected to be treated this way. He knew the training would be tough but this was abuse and the staff were power crazy.
During one exercise, Nathan and his platoon were doing a swim in full combat gear and equipment. One of his closest friends suffered from a phobia of water. The staff were aware of this and held his head under the water. Nathan was extremely angry about this and told me about it in a phone call. When home on leave he told me about it again and I could see how angry and distressed he was. I have heard reports from other lads on that exercise that this kind of treatment happened to a lot of them, Nathan included.
Nathan felt uncomfortable talking about what was happening to him but I often pushed him to open up and talk to me. He did tell me about witnessing abuse of his peers and commented on his dislike and distrust for some of the staff. He did however point out not all staff were abusive but said that none of them could be trusted. He told me all staff knew what was going on but turned a blind eye.
He had family photos on display in this dorm as all the lads did. He got fed up with his corporals making vulgar comments regarding me and my daughter. He said this happened to everyone but what started out as banter became so crude he had no option other than to put the photos away.
After the initial six weeks of training we travelled to Harrogate for Nathan’s first passing out parade and brought him home on leave. He was not the same happy confident lad who started six weeks previously. He started drinking heavily and was very withdrawn. It was very difficult getting him to return to Harrogate and he told me he wanted to leave the army.
When he returned to Harrogate he rang me to tell me he was handing in his letter to leave. He told me his request was ripped up in his face. He was only 17 years old and devastated at not being able to leave. He repeatedly told me he wanted to be a soldier and expected training to be tough but couldn't cope with the way they were mistreated. He was clearly very frightened for his safety and I shared his fears.
Whenever he was on leave it became increasingly difficult to get him to return to Harrogate. I would take him to the train station and by the time I arrived home Nathan wouldn't be far behind me. He was genuinely very fearful of being at Harrogate and things just got worse. There were so many occasions I would put Nathan on the train and believe he had gone back to Harrogate only to receive a phone call from staff days later asking if I knew of his whereabouts. They would inform me I had 24 hours to get him back or he would be posted AWOL. I would then have to locate him and persuade him to return but he was always so afraid of the repercussions. He didn't mind the legitimate punishments, it was the abuse he was scared of.
I spoke to his commanding officers after every occasion and expressed my concerns. Each member of staff basically said the same thing: if Nathan didn't return he would be posted AWOL. They all assured me that although Nathan would be in trouble they were there to help him and would speak to him. I always told them I had concerns over his mental wellbeing and that he wanted to leave. I was repeatedly told that once he had completed the first six weeks he had no way of leaving. They said no matter how he felt he had to complete the four years.
I would always reassure Nathan and encourage him to talk to the staff and get help. Nathan told me every time they were lying to me and were just telling me what I wanted to hear. He said I had absolutely no idea what he was being sent back to. The officers told me that if Nathan didn't return then the seriousness of the situation would escalate and the punishments would be more severe. I expressed again and again how he felt in danger but was repeatedly told this was not the case and that if he felt there was a serious threat to him he should raise his concerns. Nathan of course did not do this as nobody could be trusted. He also told me that by speaking up I had made things a whole lot worse for him.
Nathan was a strong willed and resilient lad who wanted nothing more than to be a soldier. He said he didn't expect to be faced with the disgusting way they were mistreated at Harrogate. He described the staff as animals that got off on hurting and humiliating people and that Harrogate should be shut down.
Nathan died last year while still serving in the army. There is an ongoing Service Inquiry and in due course an inquest is expected to be held. I have asked the Service Inquiry to look into these matters.”
Charlotte’s story
“My son, Marc, was never a very academic child, but he had lots of hobbies and loved sport. He never really knew what he wanted to do as an adult but he was always a happy child with a positive outlook on life.
Just before he turned 16 Marc had a recruiting day at school for the army. He came home that evening elated and full of enthusiasm to sign up. My husband and I tried to convince Marc to get a trade or to join the army later in a skilled role, but he wanted to join up as soon as possible. He was full of thoughts of seeing the world, of travel, independence and high wages.
Marc trained very hard, and went running twice a day carrying bottles full of water on his back. After he passed his physical assessment, we took him to an open day at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. All the staff were charming and made Marc feel like all his dreams could come true, so at the time there appeared to be no better career for him.
Regrettably I signed Marc up on that day and the following month, in 2016, with an ironing board in the boot, we dropped him off at Harrogate. During the first few months we didn’t hear much from him, but when he did call home all appeared positive.
After Marc turned 17 he came home for a week or two, and it was during this time that I realised all was not well at Harrogate. I overheard several conversations with his fellow recruits discussing “bathroom beatings” and “things going too far”. Marc also let slip he had been in several pubs, bars and clubs in Leeds, and was actively encouraged to attend strip clubs by the staff members in charge of his group.
Marc struggles to talk about what happened at Harrogate, and will not go into detail with me and his father about a lot of the things we witnessed, but we know that staff bullied and abused the young recruits, as well as encouraging fighting amongst peers. Marc and his fellow recruits were also made to spend many hours alone on guard duty, which affected their mental health. He and his fellow soldiers often reported feeling very low, but this was ignored by the staff.
Marc is a completely different person since his time at Harrogate. He has attempted suicide and his mental health is permanently damaged. He also sustained injuries while in army training which may turn out to be life-changing. Marc had to go AWOL [Absent Without Leave] from the army, and was only discharged on mental health grounds after a long fight, just over one year ago.
I strongly believe that the Army Foundation College does not look after children’s mental health or well being. It is an outdated institution where bullies thrive and adults seek pleasure in seeing children broken. Knowing what institutions have done to children and to vulnerable adults in the past, I am amazed the place is still allowed to ruin children’s lives. They govern themselves and the children are far too scared to speak up.
The adverts and the so-called ‘reality TV’ program which was aired on Harrogate are completely fake and promise a life which few young people can resist. I would like to see an independent investigation into the College, and would love to see an undercover expose of Harrogate to prove that institutionalised bullying and abuse of children is very much happening today.
I would plead with any parent not to sign your child over. I wish I hadn’t, and I have spoken with mothers who have lost their sons to suicide and believe that signing that document allowing them to join up was like signing a death warrant. I hope and long for this to change.”
Kevin’s story
“Growing up, my son was a bright, sensitive lad, with a penchant for drama and drawing, and a great sense of humour. When he hit adolescence he became interested in wrestling, bodybuilding and his diet. One of his friends became interested in joining the army, and meanwhile my son began to express dissatisfaction with school. He was doing next to no revision and he joined no extra-curricular activities, preferring to get home to play Call of Duty. His teacher called us, pleading with us to encourage him, but to no avail.
He began to say he wanted to join the army. We tried to sit down with him and encourage him to consider alternatives, but he just stormed out, slamming doors and shouting that he didn’t want to stay on at school. We sought counsel from friends and family, some of whom suggested that if he stuck it out in the army for two years it might give him a trade of some kind. So we began to accept it and I took him to the recruitment centre in town, where he picked up the literature and signed a form for the next stage.
At school, we were encouraged by reports suggesting that he was in the running for 5 GCSEs, including maths and English, and we hoped that he might have been put off the army at this stage. But he did a week’s work experience with the army, where he got to handle a rifle and try out some of the training that he was going to get at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, and the experience made him want to join up more.
The day of his enlistment will forever be etched in our minds. We drove up to Harrogate on a beautiful day in 2015, my son smartly dressed in his new suit. On arrival we were ushered into a large hall to complete further paperwork. As our son was asked to sign papers, it became evident that what was written and said to us required longer to read and to take in than we were given, but it was hurriedly signed off.
We had various presentations from staff. One officer said homesickness was a common experience, stating that if recruits said they missed home then he would tell them to ‘f**k off’. All that day, I had an instinct that something was awry with my son’s behavior; he was unusually quiet, and when we left him, tears welled up in his eyes, even as he tried to put on a brave face.
We had no contact with him for two days. When eventually he phoned us the line was broken and it was difficult to talk. He sent a text message, which simply said; ‘I’ll text you tomorrow night so ring on Thursday and don’t say to them that I want to leave.’ A second text message followed asking us to ‘ring up during the day saying that you want me to come home due to family matters, try to make something up because I want to come home. I miss you all too much x’. I replied ‘OK son, are you sure about this?’ I could sense his heartbreak and sorrow.
My wife had to speak to four staff members before getting through to a Major. They prevaricated and kept asking why he should have to come home, but eventually the Major conceded and told my wife that our son would be put on a train on the Friday of the first week. We waited on Friday, but there was no contact from him until 7pm, when he said that no one had delivered the message to him to return home. We were naturally incensed and after more remonstration, one of the instructors drove him to the station and paid for his fare back home. My son said later the instructor was one of the ‘better’ ones. I waited up for him. He arrived home broken, exhausted and you could tell that he had been crying. He was also frightened, saying that it was ‘AWOL’ and that he didn’t want to be in the army anymore.
It transpired that on the second day of his training it dawned on our son that he wouldn’t see his family for a long time. He had also been bullied verbally; he and the other recruits were talked down to, called c**ts and f****ers constantly, which seems at odds with AFC’s good Ofsted rating for health and well-being. The short films that we had been shown on enlistment day gave the impression that AFC Harrogate was a ‘college’ with many opportunities and extra-curricular activities, but my son found that there was very little ‘education’ – an hour a week, so he was informed.
My wife phoned the Major the next morning, and told him that my son had changed his mind and didn’t want to be in the army. In our conversations, we had to constantly remind officers that he was only sixteen, and in our care, even though he had sworn an oath to the British Army. The Major conceded in the end, but then another officer indicated that our son would be charged with AWOL, and said that he would never get a job or go to another college or university. Again, we were incensed – more phone calls.
We wanted the paperwork to be sent to us but the army insisted our son had to return to Harrogate to go through with the discharge, and we conceded. After the fraught and stressful negotiation to get our son out, all sorts of worries were still going through my mind. I was afraid that they could still detain my son, citing rules and regulations laid down in paperwork that we may not have read or had passed us by.
As I waited for him to sign the release papers, I was able to see first hand how the young soldiers were marched and drilled, brought into line. I saw lads who were limping, some with crutches, also being drilled and marched, trying in vain to keep up with the rest of the platoon. My son said that some keeled over and fainted as they marched and stood to attention. I wondered how many of those fresh faces were feeling the same as my son. What a relief it was to get back on the A59 and head for home with him.
I’m sure many parents would recognise this story. I would fully support any campaign that stopped the recruitment of 16-year-olds into the armed forces, on the grounds that they are still children and unable to make realistic decisions about their futures. The issues are not fully explained at school career events and army recruitment offices. There seems to be a glorification of army life that is at odds with the realities of on-the-ground training and education of young recruits.”
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