Countries around the world have their own militaries; the way one is chosen for military service differs from one country to another. Some countries have voluntary military service, in which the citizens choose joining the military as a career. In other countries, military service is a mandatory conscription system. Many governments in history used mandatory military service as their strategy to large and powerful army that is ready to protect and fight in times of war. Military service exists since ancient civilizations known as “Military conscription” or “The draft”, but the first known modern model of the conscription was acknowledged at the time of the French Revolution in the 1790s. Furthermore, the Babylonian kingdoms also established a conscription system under the ancient code of Hammurabi called “ilkum” before the warrior class or military elites were known. Also during the Civil War the military conscription was introduced in the United States. Similar conscription systems around the world were then established with different required periods of military service. The public opinion on whether military service should be mandatory or voluntary is split. According to ProCon (2019), “49% of people favor one year of required service for young Americans, while the others are opposing.” Moreover, another report conducted by the BBC demonstrated that 60% of the people are in favor of this issue. There are many ongoing debates regarding military service, so the question is, should military service be compulsory or not? Although many argue that military service should be voluntary as people should be free to choose if they want to join or not, mandatory military service promotes national unity, provides useful skills, and helps young people mature.
One of the main aspects that support mandatory military conscription is its promotions to the national unity. By making the military service compulsory, a sense of unity is created in the society among the citizens, as everyone is required to serve regardless of the social class making them share the same experience. “Mandatory military service promotes national unity in many ways. First, it allows citizens to learn and train together, creating that shared experience of having served in the military.” (Connectus, 2018). Therefore, when the citizens of different classes train, work, sleep, and eat together, it creates a sense of belonging as it brings them all together, especially in times of cultural or political threats from other countries.
Acquiring useful and practical skills is yet another factor that contributes in making mandatory military service influential for the society. Military personnel and Veterans gain a lot of experience and skills through the intensive trainings they receive in the army. According to Veterans Employment Toolkit Handout (2012), numerous positive outcomes result from military service such as leadership skills like taking responsibility for self and actions, being disciplined, having the abilities to meet a variety of challenges, technical skills, interpersonal skills, and improved positive skills. Furthermore, individuals acquire skills beyond these skills like “teamwork, responsibility, initiative, stress management, diversity, and global awareness” (Connectus, 2018). Therefore, the military service provides the individuals with both technical and life skills.
Opponents of having an obligatory military service claim that compulsory conscription interferes with other forms of education and future careers of young adults as the mandatory military service usually recruit young men aged 18-29 who are at the peak of their learning abilities. Further, they assert that such delay holds up their future pursuit for higher education and careers affecting their human capital investments. However, this claim is proven inefficient as it has been highlighted that performing military service helps young people mature, serves as a bridge to their adulthood, and promotes their personal growth. Paula S. Fass, PhD, history Professor Emerita at UC Berkeley advocates that young people should be obligated to complete two years of military service by saying “We, as a society, need these services. I would argue that young Americans would be given a sense of maturity and competence by providing them.” Furthermore, Isabel V. Sawhill, PhD, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution also added that “Participants would gain real world skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.” Finally, “Military service can be seen as an interruption of life, but also as an opportunity for experiencing new social settings and for acquiring skills” (Dar & Kimhi, 2001). Therefore, many countries are making their military service to be compulsory.
A compulsory military conscription is a more convenient option to countries as it helps in uniting the society, providing useful skills to individuals and helping young people mature. Whether nations should have a compulsory military service or a volunteering service will always remain a controversial matter; however, nations should be aware of the numerous advantages of compulsory military service such as eliminating the sense of classism and enhancing interpersonal skills which will improve societies.
Marina Ayman – 182253
Should Military Conscription Be Compulsory or Not? 