Author: Mark Renney

The Sweepers are always plentiful, inconceivably there isn’t ever a shortfall but always enough recruits coming through on that metaphorical conveyor belt. A surplus filling out the application forms, readily signing on the dotted line, undergoing the intensive training programme from which they emerge ultra-fit and battle ready.
Awaiting deployment, all new recruits return home. They come from both the cities and the countryside but always the edgelands, the poor places. In their dress uniforms they are hailed by their family and friends as returning heroes. For the first time in their lives they have money and are able to help their loved ones and hold their heads up high. The money continues to be paid to their next of kin or trustee for the next six months, even if the recruit doesn’t return. The majority of course do not survive the first tour of duty.
The training is physically challenging but its real objective is to prepare the recruits mentally. They have to be resilient, not simply in order to enter the battlefield but they need to believe they will survive. Most of them will not but at least 5% of every intake will, and those recruits return home to await their second deployment. They still need to be heroes and able to hold their heads high. It is important returning recruits do not share their experience by talking about what they have seen. Everyone knows the score of course but no-one needs to hear it from the horse’s mouth.