BBC3 to screen two army documentaries

BBC3 has unveiled two new documentaries about the army and war in Afghanistan.

Would You Join The Army? and Our War – 10 Years in Afghanistan have been commissioned by BBC1 and BBC3 controller Danny Cohen. He is still running BBC3 until his replacement is announced – which is due to happen within the next fortnight.

Would You Join The Army? is a five-part series following the experiences of new army recruits, from training to frontline combat. During each hour-long episode, the recruits discover if the dangers of army life are really for them and the show explores the impact on their families.

Our War – 10 Years in Afghanistan marks a decade of UK involvement in the conflict. It looks at the history of the war through footage of young soldiers in three hour-long episodes.

Cohen said: "We believe that these two projects will be a powerful way to engage young people with the bravery and sacrifice of British soldiers – many of whom are in their teens and 20s themselves."

The BBC Vision director, Jana Bennett, added: "BBC3 has proven that serious factual content is in demand and as a channel it is not afraid of asking important questions, shining a light on serious issues through challenging factual programming."

Would You Join The Army? is being made by Lion Television, while Our War is being made in-house by BBC Vision.

BBC3, along with other BBC TV, radio and online services, is facing a budget cut next year as the corporation launches a new round of belt-tightening in the wake of October's licence fee settlement, which will see licence fee income frozen for six years – a 16% reduction in real terms.

The BBC Trust chairman, Sir Michael Lyons, yesterday said he could not rule out the closure of some services as part of the cost savings.

"Let's not be under any misapprehension, the notion that we can look for a 16% reduction in budget and sail on as you are is inconceivable so basically you can't rule out service changes and indeed service reductions," he added.

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