Military conscription

Sisu!

Warfare today is very different. It will be mostly sitting in bunkers flying armed drones attacking civilians, remote controlling robot dogs with machine guns or exploding tanks. Or flying fighter jets or bombers. Or pounding cities from ships ten miles out at sea. More civilians have been killed in the wars in Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria than have military personnel.

That should tell you something about the future of warfare. The rule book has been tossed in the garbage. Being a civilian is no protection.

Joining up is probably the safest thing any person can do. It’s just too bad I’m too old, or I’d sign up if there were a WWIII.

This is very relevant.

There is a difference between training conscription and war mobilization.

Training conscription like in Scandinavian countries is about making sure that everyone/relevant proportion of the population is trained and ready for potential future threats - not only combat, but emergencies in general. It makes sense to focus on youngest adults to minimise disruption to their personal life and over the time build resilient nation.

Mobilisation for active war is focusing on an immediate threat and doesn't have to target 18yos. Ukraine started their mobilisation with 27-60 age group.

So maybe we, as a nation, say no to the conscription of under 30s. Say take us instead. We know the population is in decline, so there must be more of us than of our kids. The kids stay here to keep the home fires burning, agriculture and manufacturing, and we fight.

I'm 52, childless by choice. I'd gladly do my service so all.your children can have a future.

I would rather I was sent to a front line than a disabled person.

Its what our ancestors did and why we're here now. We have lost sight of the sacrifice they made.

I didn't expect that that we might be in a position where it happened again but we're here - facing USA as the nutters is a surprise. Weakened by Brexit at a time we need to be united with Europe to fight collectively rather than floating around as a little island all on our own.

Yep this is it for me too

It's a fact British military leaders discussed bombing the tracks into the main concentration camps but said it wasn't a priority.

..and given where those rail tracks were in terms of distance from the UK, the inaccuracy in allied bombing especially early in the war, especially at range, bombing would probably have been highly ineffective and have resulted in massive losses to very little effect....hence it wasn't a priority.

Britain didn't make Germany do what it did (and no one said that) but it could have stopped it with the allies but instead, for the reasons mentioned by pp, a policy of appeasement was adopted. Fascists don't stop when you give a little they want it all. He wrote a book on what he wanted.

It's very easy to dismiss this discussion as dreamy academics but it's more than that assesment and reflection on military tactics is how wars "improve", hence why ww2 wasn't fought in the trenches. It's a fact British military leaders discussed bombing the tracks into the main concentration camps but said it wasn't a priority. This is all in the imperial war museum if you wish to factory check. This issue is British kids aren't taught the real gritty truth of the war rather simplistic Germany EVIL and Britain the uncomplicated heros which creates a black and white narrative.

My father fought in WW2, torpedoed by German U boats (twice), injured, friends killed. He was the most gentle man you could meet. Never spoke of it. He went when he was called up, he was 21. You can enjoy the freedoms you have today because of men like my father. I don't think conscription is likely - they kill people remotely these days, but if it comes I am sure many young men and women will step up.

Who was fighting a world war already?

It only became a world war when Britain, France and their respective worldwide empires/commonwealths declared war on Germany.

Right. Maybe that veteran could read some books. Not worth it in what way? Do they support fascism and the persecution of minorities?.

Do you think it would be easy working with an influx of people who don’t want to be there?

For some of us, that is a daily routine ...

Thank you for your service. I am well aware that it's because of you, I don't have to do it.

E2A: The first step to any conscription would be calling up people on reserve. My friend in the RAF was caught by that when she left in 1989 ....

With drones it’s different anyway. Depressingly so. Maybe what you list isn’t needed.

I consider myself left leaning generally. I regularly butt heads with people who i feel are being anti-immigration, pro-Trump, GB News watchers etc. I received a disciplinary a few years ago because I called a racist a racist.

This is an excellent post imo that articulates perfectly how I feel about conscription.

Like fuck will my DC be forced to fight for this (now) general shit show of a country or the giant wanker in charge of it.

Great response and thank you 🌻

Britain joined WW2 in 1939. It wasn't all about us, you know.

I'm agnostic as to whether it could be Japan invading China or the invasion of Czechoslovakia. I would be fascinated to know what someone from those countries or former countries believe.

It's a little like bands, really. I mean you could argue that Deep Purple Mk II were "Deep Purple". However that rather forgets that there was a Deep Purple Mk I in 1967.

If Deep Purple doesn't work, try Fleetwood Mac

It's almost as if I don't take the notion of conscription in the UK seriously ....

That WW2 started in September 1939.

Your point being ?

So, how much of the world was fighting before 1939?

China and Japan. Germany and Czechoslovakia.

Op you mentioned WW3 and conscription, I think if we got to WW3

I am mildly amused by the assumption we aren't already there.

Believe it or not, it's not universally recognised that WW2 "began" in 1939. Yes, it did for Britain. But as a world war, we were johnny come latelys (and the US more so).

I think everyone is missing the point, with quite a large percentage of youngsters these days not identifying as male or female who do you think is going to be man enough to fight.

Suggestions on a postcard please.

Im sure there could be some jobs you could do. Rather than risking the life of someone who has their whole life ahead of them

Gender,age and any other reason should not be an excuse? I'm 62 with quite bad mobility and health issues and I know that there is no way that I would be capable of being in the military! I'd be more of a liability than an asset!