Why does the forces-hating Gordon brown suddenly want to be their new best friend? During his tenure as Chancellor, he treated them with contempt and kept them seriously underfunded - indeed, it was his decision to cut back 2,000 frontline troops 2 years ago that has led to the serious undermanning problems that the Army is facing today.

Gordon is an opportunist who will clutch at any straw if he thinks that it will either improve his popularity or get him votes, whether that means wrapping himself up in the Union Flag and proclaiming himself British or cosying up to the increasingly more popular Armed Forces.

mnairb, Hove, U.K.

More fodder for the guns in Iraq and Afghanistan eh Gordon? Recruitment for the forces is falling and experienced soldiers are getting out, so he is looking to the youngsters to fill the ranks. Wonder if these cadets will be drafted into the planned EU Army? Will they end up fighting their own people on English streets when we pull out of the EU? Or is it just that Brown wants to brainwash youngsters into a life of obediance?

Patricia Kenny, Bradford, Uk

When I started reading the article I thought the idea was encourage children to join boy/girl scout groups. A way to learn skills outside the normal school domain and life outside of the city. What Britain needs are more educated, resourceful people with diplomatic skills, not more gun obsessed underage hooligans.

Richard, Luxembourg,

Cadets don't generally appeal to yobs but to boys who are well-behaved, a bit dreamy, and not good enough at sports or academic work to channel their ambitions in those directions. However that's the type of boy who can really lose out at a poor comprehensive.That there are only 60 cadet forces for them in the state system is a disgrace.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

I see nothing wrong as such for cadet training in schools but I fear that Labour and Gordon Brown are just after more cannon fodder since recruitment is at an all time low and attrition at an all time high. With New Labour, you always have to look behind the facade as nothing is as it seems and they cant be trusted.

Mike, Alicante, Spain

i went to a comprehensive school and joined up to the sea cadet corps for 5 years .During school it opened my eyes to the world also gave me self discipline taught me to iron and cook and look after myself also taught me about how important team work and self discipline is in the real world i also learn to respect my elders and people in authority i don't think its done me any harm about time that the gov gave the cadet corps some backing as they are way underfunded and units all across the uk are in a very poor state of repair.
it also let me partake in outward bound events that the school did not partake in and other events associated with the cadet forces.
Ii dont think people realise what cadet forces actually do and more needs to be done to show what they do actually do

Paul Sloper, gillingham, dorset

Benefits of military training far outweigh the cons. Fitness, discipline and confidence are but a few of these, especially considering what the kids of today seem to be able to get away with at schools. Teaching them to use weapons? this is unlikely to increase gun crime - weapons are easy to use anyway, its the disciplined, safe use that will set aside military training from gang warfare. It definately important that the army's image is improved - as it is the army that everyone will look to help them when we are thrown into a time of international crisis. Just remember, it wasnt the army that decided to go to Iraq - it was the government, so dont blame the army. A very small minority of people in the army have misbehaved, allowing the media to milk these opportunities and tarnish the reputation (think about the small minority of civilians who misbehave and end up in prison - you wouldnt say 'all humans are bad' because of this, would you?).

Alex, Southampton, England

My mate Godwin has it on good authority that these new troops will be nicknamed 'Brownshirts'

Avana Beach, London, UK