National Service returning to the UK?

[TheQuirkyMaker]

Due to the threat of Russian aggression and US indifference, Europe is having to re-arm. France is going to re-introduce national service (compulsory conscription of youngsters into the armed forces for 2 years). Am I right in thinking UK young people won't accept this?

DS1 has said he’d leave the army if any sort of National Service was brought in. He has a hard enough job now with the younger ones who joined up voluntarily and apparently want to be there.

Joining the armed forces is a career choice, just like becomIng a nurse or a teacher is, no one should be forced to do it.

Maybe they only have sons and not daughters?

@KimuraTan surely the whole point of National Service is to provide a potential army, should it be needed. The UK government wouldn’t fund a programme of military training just so young lads could learn how to shoot tin cans and navigate through a forest at night time. The whole point is that the lads who’d been through the training would be fit to go to war.

I would’ve loved national service when young.

No one would be forcing anyone to join the armed forces

This would be a temporary requirement to pick up basic training
a little like the reservists

But not forced unless there is compulsory conscription
and
Again
This would be for both sexes not just the lads

True that could be

but a lot of posters seem to be making these sexist assumptions

National Service should definitely be brought back it would teach youngsters some discipline and respect, qualities that seem to be lacking nowadays.

In effect, it is exactly what is being asked of them as otherwise, what would they be doing?

One day, my son will do his national service for his other nationality, the non-military option is still within the military and basic must be completed. I’d expect the same if the UK ever brought in national service. If they aren’t in the army (or military generally), national service is a waste.

Not true at all! DH was in for 20yrs from 1992

No they don’t.

I think it should be mandatory if you’re on benefits because you’re work shy.

Just what we need thousands of trained killers back on the street after their national service.

You can join the army now if you want to, the only difference is in France they are positively suggesting it. We used to do a lot of recruitment advertising but I don't think we can even afford the army we have at the minute.

You've been watching 'Yes Minister' our Humphrey arguing both sides on National Service!

I'm 54 so more like dad's army age
.. Ukraine called up men to the age of 60. My friend moved back from France a few years ago with his younger at the time teens.

Keeping everything crossed it never comes here

The definitive discussion, 'Yes Minister'

France is going to re-introduce national service (compulsory conscription of youngsters into the armed forces for 2 years)

Why did you make that up OP?

There's no compulsory conscription of any kind behind introduced in France. There's a voluntary offer of 10 months' duration. I never understand why people start threads with made up nonsense.

What do they mean?

Should be for the NEETs to do as it will give them a good start to actually get a job.

No one respects this country to risk death fighting for it anymore

I'd rather have an Army and defence system that has people committed to the job at hand. Forcing youngsters to do it, especially with our modern way of thinking, would be 2nd best or worse!

It is not going to happen. It is mentioned every now and then as some response to the failings or perceived failings of young people. It was abolished for military reasons.

It's a bit akin to having the debate about the death penalty, which is not going to return either.

What you are talking about sounds more like conscription - 'compulsory enlistment for state service, typically into the armed forces' than national service. And yes we might have to do it.
Also a reimagined national service might be no bad thing.....

Ludicrous comment. Israel has a completely different mindset.