Soldiers Who Sign Up at 16 More Likely To Die In Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it disputed the figures and claimed it was "wrong and misleading" to suggest that the Army channels minors into the most dangerous roles.The study looked at the deaths of 209 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan between October 2001 and March 31, 2013.
It found the risk of fatality in Afghanistan to soldiers who enlisted aged 16 between 1999-00 and 2008-09 was 1.92 per 1,000, compared with 1.32 per 1,000 for those who enlisted at 17 and 1.33 per 1,000 for those who enlisted aged 18 or above.
When comparing age groups, the report found soldiers who enlisted at 16 and completed training were approximately twice as likely to die in Afghanistan as those enlisting at 18 or above. MORE