Independent readers share their views on conscription – from ‘necessary evil’ to ‘waste of time’

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YouthIR Alex Younger’s warning that Britain is no longer prepared for war has caused an intense debate on the future of defense and national service in the United Kingdom.

Said the former MI6 chief Independent TV That the UK has largely disassembled its military and industrial base, and urgently need to rebuild its capabilities and culture of national resilience in the light of increasing global threats from Russia and beyond.

When we asked for your views, many people agreed that the British army was hollowed out by decades of under -investment, and some remembered how training areas and barracks were gradually closed, which spoke and left the army down.

Concerns have been raised about the current state of recruitment and a dependence on privatized systems that “do not work.”

Others argued that if the national service should return, it must be voluntary and offer real benefits, including incentives for education, citizenship or healthcare, while some suggested that it extend beyond the military to civil roles.

But skepticism remained, especially about trust in political leadership and whether the British Britain – more diverse, more individualistic – could or should recreate the spirit of past duty.

Here’s what you had to say:

Does not take the army seriously

I am almost 80 and I have not carried the queen (or king) uniform since I went to ATP, but even then it was clear that the United Kingdom simply did not take its army seriously enough.

There were once many camps and barracks across the country with training areas. About my service they were closed, and it became more difficult and more difficult to get accommodation or exercise areas.

As a military historian, I know that the troops were under canvas in World War II because there was no accommodation, and that private estate for training areas had to be taken over. I doubt if today thought of being able to do it.

Equipment, thanks to Bae, does not come up stream, and soldier’s profession needs highly competent technocrats. With the army of about 70,000, we do not have the NCOs to do the necessary training.

Most units are subjected to 25 percent or more, and recruitment is privatized and does not work. It must sort all before you can even think of national service.

Edward Andrews

Must be voluntary and offer benefits

National service would not affect me, so it’s not my place to say. This question must be asked from younger people. There are clear advantages of service in both the construction of character and life experiences.

However, I think it should be voluntary and offer benefits. May offer real career qualifications, or may stimulate the tuition fees for national service.

Small big

No motivation to join

My father served as a RAF national serviceman before I became involved as a regular, and after being employed abroad at service schools, I joined the British army as a private soldier and retired as an officer after 35 years.

Many civilians are unaware that former military staff is transferred to the ordinary reserve after completing the full -time military service. It is liable for recall for compulsory renovation training and/or mobilization. Much of this regular reserve has little or no interest, as opposed to civil voluntary reservists who are generally committed, motivated and reliable, with a few full-time reserve service (FTRs) along with regular.

The generation does not seem to have a special motivation to join the military after World War II and the national service. As such, I suggest that, at least initially, any national service can be voluntary, which includes the armed forces, emergency and medical services, but is encouraged by recruitment benefits for motivation, for example education, voting, citizenship (for immigrants), and perhaps the right to benefits from the state.

A proposed age age can be between 18-21 years to 30 years old. After satisfactory completion of, for example, 2-3 years of service, the action can then be granted voting rights, tertiary education paid by HMG (the taxpayer), to certain limits (based on the deductions of the national service), and even the right to state benefits.

Passports for immigrants can be adapted to ‘British resident’ until the national service is completed, and a National Identity Card (NID) can show satisfactory completion of NS, which provides citizenship with voting rights (and/or the right to benefits). Retire

An essential evil

No one likes the idea of ​​forcing anyone to go to war, but sometimes it’s an essential evil. If we had not yet had a duty, we would never be able to beat Hitler.

The armed forces are desperately short of the manpower, so that may be the only answer – and before anyone asks if I served, I voluntarily worked at the Royal Naval Reserve, but rejected on medical grounds, and I joined the special constabular and served for 17 years.

Bikingboomer

Service must include social service

I think some form of service should be set, not necessarily military service, but social. Servants in the police force, ambulance service, repair schools and hospitals can be set up, fix potholes, and so on. Make them part of our society and our community. Maybe it would break down barriers and take care of a more care, understandable nation.

Charlieparker101

Not everyone needs boot camp

I would serve absolutely, but 1, I’m too old, and 2, I’m epileptic, so they didn’t want me when I was younger.

My 16-year-old would serve if they didn’t have arthritis.

If there is a way that can help us, we will. I am a nurse, I am not useless. Not everyone has to have to go through Boot Camp to put on patches and fly drones.

Nursing steryymumy

Multicultural wedding

Good luck with the reinstatement of service in a country that now has a very large multicultural population and where faithfulness is often to distant lands.

You may argue that NS can achieve social cohesion, but the most important point is that it is there to provide a military force that must be used anywhere that politicians consider necessary. Would the majority of the UK’s new arrivals – indeed even in the past – be so willing?

Andanothther

A complete waste of life and time

Mi6 and Mi5-all the High-Class Ex-Militarian, always want a controlled police state. In the late 1990s, many of this Lord worked and spied for Russia, according to Peter Wright’s novel Spycatcher. So where to now?

After spending two years in Libya fighting for ‘Queen and Country’, I had a knowledge of national life – to guard the oil pits for the big US and British oil companies. A good way to employ the unemployed, but a complete waste of life and time for us with a future, which destroys many married lives and future prospects, because many of us have left out in the wilderness during their service.

Harreflannigan

I just won’t choose a life of violence

Then go on, but only on condition that you make me do it. My conscientious objection stops at that point. I just won’t choose a life of violence, but if you turn me with a knife, then yes.

The standing army, the professional soldier, those who choose a life of violence, is the greatest threat to anything good in the world. On the other hand, servicemen may be good forced by the circumstances.

Theeredsquirrel

Technology is not a magical bullet

The problem of staff in our armed forces was created by previous governments that promote a narrative that the UK does not need a large number of troops and that technology is the ‘magic bullet’.

Unfortunately, high-tech drones and missiles cannot hold onto the ground once it is won. It requires soil forces in power, and it has been proven to be true in Ukraine, where the mere power of Russian numbers has succeeded despite clumsy tactics.

Marcus

Everyone should serve – even the royalty

Yes, as long as we ensure that there were no ‘leg tracks’ and served every person, regardless of their status in society, including William and Kate’s children. As long as we did not have warmthers like Blair in power, we sent soldiers to wars created and started by the US or other “allies”. A defensive power, not one sent to fight other people’s wars.

pound

Waste of time

Service is a bad idea. I served as a soldier with the British army of 15 to 34 years.

The national service was in force. National servicemen were crazy and a waste of time. The prevailing classes consider us a mere cannon feed.

Kimbo

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for concise and clarity. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article here.

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