19 yr old son and fear of being called up to fight in a war

[User287264]

This is not a thread about "will WW3 start tomorrow", there are plenty of those already

Ds is 19 and has been talking about lot about what would happen if the UK did enter a war and if young people his age would be called up to fight.

He's such a gentle soul, I think this would be his worst nightmare. (Not that many people would relish it I know)

I'm not sure what to say to him. It feels to me like a general call-up WW2 style would not happen nowadays but what do I know?

I guess we all have our different worries about world security right now but I guess his is quite a specific worry. I'm 52 with arthritis, I'm not ever likely to be called up to fight.

It's total speculation and I still dont feel it's very likely, but does anyone have any idea how a massive call-up might work nowadays? Or would the current armed forces and reserves be enough? I'd like to reassure him without just dismissing his fears.

He does have a tendency to anxiety which doesn't help, but he's generally good at handling it. We're having a news-free day (apart from me right now) and going out for a big walk in the rain

Modern warfare is not about bodies on the ground with only basic training. It is about highly skill groups using technology. Drones are a huge part of artilllary now. X

Well even in WW2 men could choose not to fight on moral grounds so I doubt they’d force people in this day and age.

I don't know, but if we're relying on 18-25 year olds being called up to defend us, we're fucked, so I seriously doubt it.

where are you that it's raining?

I think they'd be lucky to get anyone to fight now.

Refuse and go to prison if need be. Or riot.

I really don't think that would happen. modern warfare is more drones and cyber attacks than hand to hand combat.

East coast of Scotland. It rained quite heavily yesterday too. No heatwave here

Well the reserves would be called up first, i then suspect those who have recently left the military but have skills. I agree modern wars will be different unless the UK are looking to be invaded.

Totally agree.
Dunno where the OP is but im in Scotland, after a roasting night (that none of my pals or I slept through), it’s now pouring per the weather forecast we hadn’t believed 🤣

I'm not sure about that. Haven't the young men been conscripted in Ukraine?

He could 'go conshi' but expect to sit out the war in a jail.

Conscription is very vanishingly unlikely....like a pp said, modern warfare wouldn't really require that.

There aren't the spaces in prison. He'll be fine

I don't know, but if we're relying on 18-25 year olds being called up to defend us, we're fucked, so I seriously doubt it

This. I would think much more likely that highly skilled technical people will be doing it from a great distance via computer controlling drones and bombs etc. Doubt that any more than currently enrolled defence folk would be needed. I’m no expert though, just my guess as warfare is so different now. But, yes, if anyone was relying on conscripted 19yo’s then they would be beyond fucked.

I have 2 sons in the 18-25 year group and they don’t have skills that would be useful in a modern war like computer hacking, driving/flying vehicles/planes and engineering.

If it did happen (and I don’t think it would) then I’d expect lots of exceptions as people would be needed to keep the country going too. In that hypothetical situation he could do a job that keeps people calm like work in hospitality, retail, health or education.

East coast of Scotland here too, no rain yet but think it’s on its way…

also I have a 20 year old son, I just asked him if he’s worried about being called up if there was a war, he never lifted his head from his phone just made a noise 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t fancy my chances if him or any of his friends were to fight for the country unless they can do it from their iPhones or the golf course!

Is he Nd op?

I would suggest focusing on getting him some support/treatment for his anxiety, rather than worrying about non issues.

Don’t worry 90% will claim ‘my mental health’ and expect to be exempt.
The 10% with true mental health concerns will be ignored in a ‘he who shouts the loudest gets’ as per usual.

Cynical?

This. Everyone needs to refuse. We don’t need a war, nobody wants a war over imaginary weapons.

I'm not sure about that. Haven't the young men been conscripted in Ukraine

That’s if your country is being actively physically invaded. Do you really believe this is a fear for you in the UK? The Ukraine is a ground invasion.

I can’t see this happening, never say never but not anytime to affect my two sons (a bit younger than yours)

what I can potentially see is some kind of compulsory national service but as in some other European countries it would be a choice between military or civil. I think that would be a good idea tbh. Too many school leavers are struggling to find any kind of job.

It won't happen so don't give it another thought and I say this with ds age 20 and 17 myself

Mine has just said he'd be a conscientious objector, he has no anxiety about it currently. He, like many of his generation, would snap like a twig both physically and psychologically, and I don't mean that unkindly. He's just not used to conforming - we've got different brains than people in 1939 I think.