Is bringing back conscription a good idea?

[Pebble]

Observing drivers this cold frosty morning I have come to the conclusion we should be OK for Tank Commanders, some incredible skills on show navigating such large vehicles along busy roads with just that tiny little porthole to stare out of

[ANTONISH]

The Duke of Wellington felt that the French system of conscription brought together a fair sample of society whereas; " Ours is composed of the scum of the earth - the mere scum of the earth. It is only wonderful that we should be able to make so much of them afterwards.
The English soldiers are all fellows who have enlisted for drink."

I feel he may have been in favour of national service.

[Nearholmer]

Lots of things being mixed up together here now, I think

Indeed, and something that I’m not sure has survived in the mix is “national service”, with or without some military element.

Part of the issue must be that if there is a prospect of needing to conscript to face a military threat, then the lead-times could be incredibly short, ditto any other form of national emergency that required mobilisation of lots of people in an organised fashion, which suggests to me that some level of basic preparedness, trained preparedness, might be no bad idea.

Either that, or a registration system so that people who already possess key skills could be called-up, or could volunteer in short order. Logistics personnel are an obvious one, but there are a stack of other “back of house” skills that could be useful to releasing already trained troops (I’m assuming that army logistics personnel have at least basic infantry training) for “further forward” roles. Or, if the issue is that things like logistics have been demilitarised already, so that the personnel have no infantry training, then re-militarise them now, and enact the above thereafter.

It’s surely about creating a reserve of capability which can be “stood up” very quickly, by whatever the most effective means might be.

[ossie]

Lots of things being mixed up together here now, I think

Indeed, and something that I’m not sure has survived in the mix is “national service”, with or without some military element.

Part of the issue must be that if there is a prospect of needing to conscript to face a military threat, then the lead-times could be incredibly short, ditto any other form of national emergency that required mobilisation of lots of people in an organised fashion, which suggests to me that some level of basic preparedness, trained preparedness, might be no bad idea.

Either that, or a registration system so that people who already possess key skills could be called-up, or could volunteer in short order. Logistics personnel are an obvious one, but there are a stack of other “back of house” skills that could be useful to releasing already trained troops (I’m assuming that army logistics personnel have at least basic infantry training) for “further forward” roles. Or, if the issue is that things like logistics have been demilitarised already, so that the personnel have no infantry training, then re-militarise them now, and enact the above thereafter.

It’s surely about creating a reserve of capability which can be “stood up” very quickly, by whatever the most effective means might be.

If you leave the army you are automatically enrolled as a reservist for six years and can be called up for 16 days a year. The Army currently have 27,000 reservists who can be called up very quickly so the current headline figures about our capability are probably a little skewed.

My father was in the army for 24 years as was my sisters husband and they very much enjoyed their service. My son is a Major in the Army reserves and was full time at one point, he's a doctor and works with numerous colleagues who are in the reserves, they claim to have the best of both worlds many are ex full time service personnel who've chosen to continue as a reservist beyond their term.

His best friend has just left the army after a decade simply because he now has a family, my nephew has just left and become a full time reserve doing exactly the same job with the same pay which surprised me but appears to be the way forward. He now has more flexibility in his hours etc.

So yes I agree about the reserve capability being maintained and even expanded but it's about attracting people. My view is that it's all gone a little out of fashion for young people. I've no idea if the Army / Navy / RAF careers people still visit schools, obviously we see the ads on TV for full time and reservists and they've gone very 'tech minded' as if that might appeal, who knows.

[mjr]

"Don't knock it, until you've tried it" is a good mantra.

Strange how people who say that rarely apply it to things they think bad ideas and haven't tried. Or self harm. Or lots of things. How about fleeing to another country in a small boat? Don't knock it, until you've tried it!

[Jdsk]

It certainly isn't a good idea to propose it as part of a general election campaign. It's possible that some details will emerge but I don't expect many. And everything depends on those details, including popular opinion.

Jonathan

[briansnail]

A good idea.............................. to ensure a Labour victory.

The army points out the other 85 countries that have National Service.Also have the infra structure in place eg housing .Practical issues is now you have both Boys and Girls.They have to be kitted out fed and SAFEGUARDED.

Money could be better used by the army to build British Tanks and arms and drones using 3D Technology.
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I ride Brompton,Hetchins 531

[reohn2]

I'm convinced the Tories are deliberately trying to loose the GE they know they're a dead duck and going to loose therebye making life as hard as possible for the incoming government to get the country back on it's feet.

[Nearholmer]

As I’ve said before, I think that if done well, it might be a good idea, but doing it well would require serious, serious, serious thought and effort.

Right now, I read it more as a gimmick to appeal to part of the swing vote, rather than a practical proposal. The part of the swing vote in question would be people far too old to be conscripted, who believe all they read in the newspapers about the young being a bunch of feckless idlers and yobs.

[reohn2]

As I’ve said before, I think that if done well, it might be a good idea, but doing it well would require serious, serious, serious thought and effort.

Right now, I read it more as a gimmick to appeal to part of the swing vote, rather than a practical proposal. The part of the swing vote in question would be people far too old to be conscripted, who believe all they read in the newspapers about the young being a bunch of feckless idlers and yobs.

That'll be about reet!
It's an effort to try and save a few of the blue rinse Tory vote

[Nearholmer]

The flesh on the bones of the proposal seems very meagre, but what is clear is that the proportion who would be in the military, as compared with community service on a very part-time basis, would be very small. I would anticipate that if it ever happened, there would be stiff competition for the military places, and that they would become a doorway to signing-up for full training and service, and/or a recruiting ground for the “TA” and GCHQ.

[al_yrpal]

Only one person mentioned the fair sex....what about them, are they going to be called up?

Al

[Vorpal]

It's not a terrible idea to require some sort of service from young people, but I don't think conscription, as such, is a good idea.

I would be ok with requiring all young people to do 2 years of some sort of public service with choices between military, government, charity, foreign services, etc. There would need to be exemptions or support for some folks who are disabled or carers for disabled people. I can imagine there might be other needs for exemptions. They could have some flexibility in when folks did it; for example, between 16 & 25 years old, so they could do it immediately after secondary school, or carry on with their education through a Bachelor's degree, at least

But I also think that we should return to free education for all, at least through Master's degree.

Military conscription is not a good idea. Not everyone is suited to military service. If the global situation were to reach the point that was potentially necessary, I think that folks would sign up anyway.

[simonineaston]

I got to say that when I was in the navy, I enjoyed many things and especially the cheese & onion rolls off of the naffy... although looking back I don't know how my constitution coped with raw onions... these days a raw onion plays havoc with my tripes to the extent that I can still taste the perishing things the next day. But this gives credence to the whole thing really, which is that when you're young, you can cope with all sorts...

[rjb]

In a wider context should we require all those trained by our universities for example doctors, dentists, opticians, other medics to work for the nhs not private practise to address the current issues with the shortage. This model could be rolled out to other essential industries including the armed forces.