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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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?

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ShakeNCake · 08/03/2026 22:27

Octavia64 · 08/03/2026 22:21

No.

America is fighting this bloody war and they don’t have conscription.

even Russia which is fighting a land war in Europe doesn’t have conscription.

Russia does have conscription: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Russia

Conscription in Russia - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_Russia

tutugogo · 08/03/2026 22:27

Not ex, my dc! And 1/4 are women in their role

InterestedDad37 · 08/03/2026 22:26

Pretty likely to apply to men AND women, the idea having (according to the interwebs 😉) 76% public support.

tutugogo · 08/03/2026 22:25

My ex is in the armed forces now, they are not worried so why are you worrying about theoretical conscription?

todays armed forces are incredibly highly trained specialists, it’s not 1940, my dc’s training has been over 4 years and still is being supervised and taking exams. There’s so many genuine worries but this isn’t one of them

ShakeNCake · 08/03/2026 22:24

Ukraine does have conscription though, and Germany has just passed legislation to bring in voluntary military service, voluntary 'for now' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg9drg8pg1o

I know its hard to judge when you have anxiety whether you are over-reacting, but it is a scary time and you are not unreasonable to be worried.

Young men in military uniform with white caps in Berlin

Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

The shift in its approach to its military follows a push to create Europe's strongest conventional army.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg9drg8pg1o

Cyberjammies · 08/03/2026 22:22

I’ve got 2 sons, 13 and 17 and it regularly worries me

Octavia64 · 08/03/2026 22:21

No.

America is fighting this bloody war and they don’t have conscription.

even Russia which is fighting a land war in Europe doesn’t have conscription.