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AIBU?

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Original poster

Are you worried about conscription… *trigger warning - discusses risks of war**

182 replies

Shushhh · 08/03/2026 22:20

I don’t know why, but I feel like a huge penny has dropped for me today, on the risks we all face in such uncertain times. I have thought about my nephews, who are 17 and 16. If WW3 happens, they would be at risk of conscription I would imagine, as they turn 18. This has petrified me. They are still babies to me (although I know they are older and wiser than I give them credit for). My husband is a soldier, so I am aware of the risks he faces. Of course I am worried for him too. But I’m just worried for us all. I am worried for our children. Where will they go? Will it be like old war times when they were evacuated? Will my brothers be conscripted? Will females also be put on the front lines? And ultimately, will we survive this.

I know this is scary, and I’m hoping my anxiety (previously diagnosed) is getting the better of me here. But it doesn’t feel like anxiety. It feels like real fear and a real threat.

AIBU?

OP posts:
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misssunshine4040 · 09/03/2026 00:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

But what happens if we are invaded? No one would fight for the government, you would fight for your home and family and loved ones.

JustCabbaggeLooking · 09/03/2026 00:26

ThatPearlkitty · 09/03/2026 00:24

yet when the enemie captures them will it be oh dear

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😂

ThatPearlkitty · 09/03/2026 00:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

yet when the enemie captures them will it be oh dear

ChattyCatty25 · 09/03/2026 00:24

Yes, I’m terrified. I despise war, it is always started by governments and inflicted on civilians without any say in the matter. Democracy is a lie.

It’s naive to think WW3 won’t happen; the US military is literally a death cult that believes they have to start WW3 to bring Jesus back and are doing their utmost to bring the Revelations chapter of the Bible to life.

duckduckagogo2026 · 09/03/2026 00:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

JustCabbaggeLooking · 09/03/2026 00:20

Shushhh · 08/03/2026 22:29

My mind keeps going back to Covid. I sensed that things were ramping up, and with a child with underlying health issues, as well as not knowing what we know now about coronavirus, I pulled my kids out of school a week early. At that point, people were still sending out party invitations and acting like nothing was happening. I couldn’t believe it! Then lo and behold, a week later, lockdown! I feel like that again. I feel like things are changing and history is being written right now. All the decisions that are being made now will one day be taught in history lessons. That’s how I feel. I am hoping I’m just being totally dramatic and my senses are way off on this one!

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I'm old. It's always been like this. Stop worrying, it'll all fizzle out.Flowers

misssunshine4040 · 09/03/2026 00:16

But I suppose I would wonder why so
many people would be against conscription if (hypothetical situation ) WW3 did occur and we end up having to implement conscription because we were being attacked on the ground and we required to defend ourselves?

misssunshine4040 · 09/03/2026 00:12

@ThatPearlkitty the op is from a forces family so
should be able to have knowledgeable people nearby to reassure her that conscription is not a necessity and WW3 is not a present threat rather than Mumsnet

ThatPearlkitty · 08/03/2026 23:48

misssunshine4040 · 08/03/2026 23:47

Absolutely all of this with bells on.
Why are people so quick to jump to panic mode with absolutely no indication of WW3 being imminent?

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would the public understand with the tech today what ww3 would even be ?

Nat6999 · 08/03/2026 23:48

I'm thankful for once my son is disabled, my son in law as well.

misssunshine4040 · 08/03/2026 23:47

hypnovic · 08/03/2026 23:30

Currently major powers are not fighting eachother article 4 hasn't been invoked. There has been no global military mobilisation all conflicts remain regional countries with nukes are unlikely targets. We were at higher risk in cold war amd gulf 1991 then there is now. And before conscription can even happen these things happen first parliament have to Propose new legislation then Debate and pass it in Parliament then Set up a registration system Decide age ranges, exemptions, training structures
Build the infrastructure to actually train people so it's not gunna sneak up one morning. Practice breathwork mediation hypnosis and switch the news off

Absolutely all of this with bells on.
Why are people so quick to jump to panic mode with absolutely no indication of WW3 being imminent?

ThatPearlkitty · 08/03/2026 23:47

SuperGinger · 08/03/2026 23:17

Modern warfare is all about hacking, drones and axing utilities - so basically sabotaging critical infrastructure.

basically raul menendez character

ThatPearlkitty · 08/03/2026 23:45

JTRSOP · 08/03/2026 23:41

He’d be incredibly stupid to do that.

Also, OP, wars are not fought like they were in the 1940s.

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these days its data and espionage etc

OneBreezyHelper · 08/03/2026 23:44

MrsStarskie · 08/03/2026 23:42

Perhaps conscripts will be called in to repair our bloody ships that don't work.

if we could start with our potholes first...

JTRSOP · 08/03/2026 23:43

hypnovic · 08/03/2026 23:30

Currently major powers are not fighting eachother article 4 hasn't been invoked. There has been no global military mobilisation all conflicts remain regional countries with nukes are unlikely targets. We were at higher risk in cold war amd gulf 1991 then there is now. And before conscription can even happen these things happen first parliament have to Propose new legislation then Debate and pass it in Parliament then Set up a registration system Decide age ranges, exemptions, training structures
Build the infrastructure to actually train people so it's not gunna sneak up one morning. Practice breathwork mediation hypnosis and switch the news off

Article 5.

MrsStarskie · 08/03/2026 23:42

Perhaps conscripts will be called in to repair our bloody ships that don't work.

JTRSOP · 08/03/2026 23:41

Shushhh · 08/03/2026 22:30

I think what’s going on in Iran will be used as ammunition by Putin for Russia to wage war on NATO.

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He’d be incredibly stupid to do that.

Also, OP, wars are not fought like they were in the 1940s.

Wreckinball · 08/03/2026 23:37

I think about how many people would not accept being conscripted and how overweight we are as a nation and how hard it would be to get people fit and ready to take up arms and be able to move swiftly

IsItBeesThoughLooshkin · 08/03/2026 23:35

pandora206 · 08/03/2026 22:33

The Scandinavian countries all have military conscription (for men and women at 18+)

Yes but it's voluntary.

hypnovic · 08/03/2026 23:30

Currently major powers are not fighting eachother article 4 hasn't been invoked. There has been no global military mobilisation all conflicts remain regional countries with nukes are unlikely targets. We were at higher risk in cold war amd gulf 1991 then there is now. And before conscription can even happen these things happen first parliament have to Propose new legislation then Debate and pass it in Parliament then Set up a registration system Decide age ranges, exemptions, training structures
Build the infrastructure to actually train people so it's not gunna sneak up one morning. Practice breathwork mediation hypnosis and switch the news off

shuffleofftobuffalo · 08/03/2026 23:26

My dyslexic brain read that as are you worried about constipation, then I saw war, then I thought oh no I’ll be trapped under my kitchen table after a nuclear bomb eating dog food unable to crap (Children of the Dust anyone?)

I think wars are so remote and hi tech these days it’s not like thousands of people are needed on the ground and there aren’t tens of spare jets waiting for pilots. So no, I’m not worried about conscription. “Everyone” is generally only useful in war when you need extra cannon fodder.

Theroadt · 08/03/2026 23:26

NotAnotherScarf · 08/03/2026 22:49

The Ukrainian war has completely changed warfare. We envisioned fighting the USSR on the wide planes of east europe with tanks and millions of men.

Ukraine was trench warfare at the start. Tanks are just mobile artillery and army's are divided into small groups by drones.

Shotguns will be key in knocking out drones. Most war will be machine against machine ie missiles taking out missiles/drones.

Iran doesn't have the ability to invade anyone but their neighbours which they know will lead to us boots on the ground (dragging in other countries against them) they will continue to retaliate until either the us stops or they lose. However, their neighbours are trying to move away from oil production into tourism and attracting wealthy people, they will not stand much more from Iran...who made an error in bombing them. It will be a limited conflict and we will not be involved

Shotguns only work on small drones closer-range. ME is using expensive US anti-drone missiles and it’ll be a case of who runs out first

ThatPearlkitty · 08/03/2026 23:19

personally if i was at hq then id be willing to help conduct the war efforts

SuperGinger · 08/03/2026 23:17

Modern warfare is all about hacking, drones and axing utilities - so basically sabotaging critical infrastructure.

OneBreezyHelper · 08/03/2026 23:14

YABU for using the "trigger warning"

Completely unnecessary and pompous.