How do you feel about this for National Service/Conscription?

[monrymeadows73]

A lot of European countries, most notably Germany are moving towards the reintroduction of conscription. Right now, Germany has introduced a volunteer system, whereby all men born in 2008, who will turn 18 in 2026, have to undergo an assessment to test for their fitness for military service with the intention of incentivising German men to join the German military. However, if there are not enough recruits, then Germany may mandate conscription. But, this is just for men; not women.

In some other European countries, conscription is mandatory for only men; while in others like the Scandinavian countries, women are also obligated to take part in military service.

I know that some may oppose conscription/military service in the UK outright; but if, for whatever reason, it was re-introduced, how would you feel about the following points:

1. Should British women aged 18 and above be forcibly conscripted along with British men; or just British men?
2. Should women have to undergo the same processes in the military like have to have their heads shaved like men do?

I wonder how this fits into feminists' views of equality. Again, before some people start suggesting that they are opposed to conscription for everyone, what I'm asking about is if somehow it was implemented, regardless of how you feel about it, how do you think it should be promoted i.e. for both sexes and both having to undergo the same processes or just for men?

😂prisons are already too full now. Where they gonna park the millions of young people who won’t go?

Not conscripting women isn't about the weaker sex or anything similar, it's about protecting the breeding stock.

Unless the military can solve its problem with sexual harassment and rape, conscription of women should not happen.

the disgrace that was constipation in ww2

sometimes you've got to love autocorrect / typos.

I grew up in a country where national service was standard for young men aged 18+, and more recently became an option for women of the same age (no head-shaving). It is conditional on a thorough medical and psychological evaluation, and roles in service -combative or logistical- allocated according to individuals' strengths and interests. Conscientious objectors can elect to serve a term in prison or to serve in an area of national service which does not bear arms.

I have often reflected on the impact of the clear expectation to participate in national service on the populace over many generations. Some of the very clear benefits which occur to me off the top of my head include (in no particular order):

•young people enter adulthood after a period of highly structured training during national service, learning valuable skills sets related to the area of service into which they have been streamed. Whether they will ever work in logistics or communications or catering or uniformed services again is almost immaterial, the transferable skills are the real take-home which set the young people up for the world of work.

•those who have completed national service, whether 20 or 60 years old, have a common ground of shared understanding and experience which includes an awareness of how to maintain civility, respecting difference and valuing commonality.

•it is of undeniable benefit when a majority of a nation's population actually know how they would make themselves useful in a state of national emergency, have a working understanding of the operational requirements of a nation under threat and an awareness of where they fit into the structures which will serve to maintain services and order.

•without sounding like a massive advocate for DofE, the considerable portion of national service which includes fieldwork and learning how to operate in the natural environment is a real leveller and provides otherwise unattainable opportunities for experiencing staying safe in nature and developing survival skills in difficult conditions. This really shifts perceptions of our place in the natural order of things.

•it is conducive to inducing a sense of national and civic pride; to experience a prolonged period of being in service to something collective, something greater than our own individual concerns and priorities. I am convinced it creates a buy-in at a societal level*; young people mixing with others whose paths they'd never normally cross, learning practical skills, working constructively, expected to get on. The "Ask not what your country..." is real: I really believe that national service gives rise to an appreciation of what a nation state is, and that the security of said nation state is all of our responsibility, as opposed to consigned to some non-descript group of 'soldiers'. For this reason, it was an effortless and obvious thing for me to transfer my feelings of patriotism previously reserved for the country of my birth to the UK as my adopted country following immigration -I understand that a country is a precious entity, the security of which is worth safeguarding.

(*Granted, societal buy-in could also be attributed to an electoral system based on Proportional Representation, and a general consensus that taxation is a very good thing contributing to an overall decent standard of living.)

a) Have you never been to a hospital?
b) War creates patients.

There is only one nation waving their willy in the SCS, and it ain't us.

The RN took the cruise to take part in Exercise Talisman in Ozz and PNG. It's pretty essential training given that the UK can't field a carrier battle group, so it was a multinational fleet of ships. Got to make sure it all works, and that the logistics flow.

And we found we had problems, the F35 being stuck in Idia for example. We need to do stuff when it's not urgent, to make sure things work together when it might be urgent.

We also done exercises with the Philippines, and went to Japan.

Additionally, as we are talking about conscription, these long cruises help with recruitment. " Join the Navy and see the world" sort of thing.

The military don't want a bunch of kids who don't want to be there being a part of anything.

I work in HE, in a creative industry, they don't even want to come to lessons. They aren't going to sign up for war.

Ahhh these comments that act like there would be the luxury of choice!

I noticed this last last night and though it was hilarious 🤣

I teach Gen Z and I really cannot imagine many of them signing up for this. They’d be eaten alive in the military. I don’t think forcing it is the way to go. I do think it’s good and grounding for certain kids, particularly the ones who have struggled academically and perhaps been in trouble at school/with the law.

Those silly men putting up flags should be conscripted. They clearly need a hobby, and they claim to love our country. Beyond that no, no one should be forced.

(Yep, tongue in cheek before anyone goes off)

Do you really think our pathetic county could make anyone do anything they didn’t want to?

Seems to be a lot of ppl who have to pay tax when they don't want to .

Loads of threads about it on here :-)

Well prison or firing squad is usually a good incentive, even for the very anxious.

I think it would be easy to get people into either. British people aren’t revolutionary; we barely pause to protest anything. We comply and are very adept at cowing to the elites.

if they can do it in so many other countries you’d be foolish to think the GB is a special exception. I suspect there would be serious issues in NI though.

Sorry, you're fantasising about reluctant young adults being shot? Jesus, have a look at yourself.

France has introduced similar and think it’s possibly a good idea though I would only make it compulsory if young people are applying for unemployment benefits, in the September following turning 18, if not in education, training or employment basically - if not fit to serve in the military they should be doing other compulsory work experience/training too (severe disability aside but most people should be provided with an opportunity.) I stress that it won’t be full military training, just a taster of potential benefits of joining.

it’s a good career, especially as an officer, good training opportunities too for life afterwards

Insanity that this is even being considered in 2025 but that’s another thread altogether. I do think both men and women should be included if there is to be any mandatory military service considered.

If it’s happening then it would only be fair that being able to opt out on religious grounds or for mental health/ ADHD diagnosis is eliminated.

Everyone must do it unless physically or officially diagnosed unable.

They can’t even keep the number of prisoners inside as it is. Prisons are oversubscribed and they are releasing offenders by mistake. Get real.

What planet are you on?

There isn’t going to be conscription. Gen Z are just not going to do it even if there was. Why the fuck would they fight for a country that gives them nothing? And the Millennials would feel the same. They won’t be fighting to protect hearth and home, they can’t afford a home and get paid shite.

Haven’t you heard of mass civil disobedience? I remember the poll tax riots. They can’t imprison anyone, there’s no fucking prisons.

Firing squad😂😂😂😂we don’t have enough young people to support the country now. What’s killing them off going to do?! Cannot see a Labour government ever introducing a firing squad😁

You are unhinged. You have no understanding of demographics or social
issues.

And you still haven’t said how Russia would invade the UK. So not much understanding of Geography either.

Are you suggesting that Russia is a credible threat for rolling through Poland, Germany and France so they can gain control of the Channel ports? The same Russia that has so far struggled every inch of its way into Ukraine?

Nice bit of disablism.

My dd has severe adhd. Couldn’t go to school for 18 months. She’s not going anywhere.DS also has it. Anxiety would overwhelm him.

The two scenarios are very different.

If military leaders are concerned then I’m sure they’ve factored that it.

It's unlikely the Russians would be in position to physically invade the UK but they could well be in a position to inflict at least some casualties on the UK civilian population if so minded.

I think some type of national service involving some training in some form of civil defence role might not be the worse idea in the world (but don't think there's the political will to even introduce that).