should there be compulsory military training in the UK?

[Ideal Britain]

Many British people at the moment do not understand military things, Britain has not had compulsory military training since 1960.
Why is this a problem?:
In a democracy the military is influenced by the majority through democracy.
What compulsory military training would achieve?
It would achieve awareness of military issues along with other benefits such as increased physical fitness, increased patriotism, reduced racial conflict and potentially reduced criminality.

What do you think?
You can comment below.

[Vassenor]

Many British people at the moment do not understand military things, Britain has not had compulsory military training since 1960.
Why is this a problem?:
In a democracy the military is influenced by the majority through democracy.
What compulsory military training would achieve?
It would achieve awareness of military issues along with other benefits such as increased physical fitness, increased patriotism, reduced racial conflict and potentially reduced criminality.

What do you think?
You can comment below.

OK, let's see your sources for those benefits.

[Nuroblav]

I would favour it being voluntary as it is now. Personally I myself do not want to be involved in the military, but I know some do and that's fine by me.

[Ideal Britain]

I would favour it being voluntary as it is now. Personally I myself do not want to be involved in the military, but I know some do and that's fine by me.

It would just be training that's compulsory.

[The Town of Salem]

https://va.org/mandatory-military-servi ... 20military.

It does have benefits. My grandfather did it in the UK when they had it and said it was really good. He didn't feel it was like being a soldier - you can choose where you want to work, and he chose logistics. He made life-long friends. So yeah, can be good.

[Dumb Ideologies]

You would not gain much understanding of the strategic matters involved in military campaigns through basic training nor would you understand the matters of foreign policy that lead to deployment; if democratic influence over these matters is a problem then sadly this intriguing proposal will not serve as a solution.

Instead we must give each member of the population several seconds per year as one of the Chiefs of Staff and later as an FCDO Minister.

[Telconi]

Yes, especially given that firearms use and combative techniques are experiences and information which are quite difficult to come by in the U.K.

[Socialist States of Ludistan]

I would like to see some evidence backing up your statements, please.

[Kiu Ghesik]

I would favour it being voluntary as it is now. Personally I myself do not want to be involved in the military, but I know some do and that's fine by me.

It would just be training that's compulsory.

Investing in developing the skills needed for military training and then not making use of them would be an absolute waste.

[Gig em Aggies]

It would just be training that's compulsory.

Investing in developing the skills needed for military training and then not making use of them would be an absolute waste.

well yes and no you don't have to train as an SAS or SBS to get valuable skills such as engineering/maintenance skills in aviation and as well as maritime and ground based vehicles, or you could train in medical or security or even logistics. cyber security leadership skills. there are many forms of training in the military that are better then civilian training programs.

[Kiu Ghesik]

Investing in developing the skills needed for military training and then not making use of them would be an absolute waste.

well yes and no you don't have to train as an SAS or SBS to get valuable skills such as engineering/maintenance skills in aviation and as well as maritime and ground based vehicles, or you could train in medical or security or even logistics. cyber security leadership skills. there are many forms of training in the military that are better then civilian training programs.

I'm less concerned about training millions of SAS and more concerned about having to put everyone in Britain through basic training, which is essentially what this proposal suggests. That's still plenty expensive, and the UK's economy is fragile enough. According to forces.net, the British army has said it costs 38,000 pounds to put a trooper through basic. There are 4.15 million people aged 20-24 in the UK. If we assume half that number is put into compulsory training, then that's 2 million people, each one costing the UK 38 thousand pounds to train. That's 76 billion pounds, just to train these people and put them back out on the street.

That is a fucking waste by any metric.

[An Alan Smithee Nation]

How the fuck would it reduce racial conflict? The British armed forces have a terrible record for racist bullying.

[Heloin]

This was episode one of Yes, Prime Minister.

[Ideal Britain]

Many British people at the moment do not understand military things, Britain has not had compulsory military training since 1960.
Why is this a problem?:
In a democracy the military is influenced by the majority through democracy.
What compulsory military training would achieve?
It would achieve awareness of military issues along with other benefits such as increased physical fitness, increased patriotism, reduced racial conflict and potentially reduced criminality.

What do you think?
You can comment below.

OK, let's see your sources for those benefits.

Increased physically fitness: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/ar ... ty/306158/

More coming soon

[Shamhnan Insir]

A system requiring people to have completed some sort of service could be beneficial, however there should be options about what services you can support in the work you do.
I know a similar strategy was operated for a time, in countries such as Germany, whereby school leavers undertake a years service in support of various societal sectors. Those who wish to pursue a years military service can do so however they could also help in academic and logistical work elsewhere.

[SD_Film Artists]

Many British people at the moment do not understand military things, Britain has not had compulsory military training since 1960.
Why is this a problem?:
In a democracy the military is influenced by the majority through democracy.
What compulsory military training would achieve?
It would achieve awareness of military issues along with other benefits such as increased physical fitness, increased patriotism, reduced racial conflict and potentially reduced criminality.

What do you think?
You can comment below.

OK, let's see your sources for those benefits.

Roof Koreans.

[Ideal Britain]

A system requiring people to have completed some sort of service could be beneficial, however there should be options about what services you can support in the work you do.
I know a similar strategy was operated for a time, in countries such as Germany, whereby school leavers undertake a years service in support of various societal sectors. Those who wish to pursue a years military service can do so however they could also help in academic and logistical work elsewhere.

The purpose of compulsory military training is to instill knowledge of the Army, everyone could describe from experience what teachers do and most could probably also describe from experience what police, doctors and nurses do. These are all jobs where they frequently come into contact with ordinary citizens. Most people get their impression of the Army, Navy and Airforce from the media or at best, conversations with veterans.

[SD_Film Artists]

A system requiring people to have completed some sort of service could be beneficial, however there should be options about what services you can support in the work you do.
I know a similar strategy was operated for a time, in countries such as Germany, whereby school leavers undertake a years service in support of various societal sectors. Those who wish to pursue a years military service can do so however they could also help in academic and logistical work elsewhere.

This could work as it's more balanced and it could fit in better with people's careers, although part of what makes national service good is that brings military service to people who may not care or even actively hate patriotic things such as that, so it would hopfully be an educating experience for them.

[Kiu Ghesik]

A system requiring people to have completed some sort of service could be beneficial, however there should be options about what services you can support in the work you do.
I know a similar strategy was operated for a time, in countries such as Germany, whereby school leavers undertake a years service in support of various societal sectors. Those who wish to pursue a years military service can do so however they could also help in academic and logistical work elsewhere.

The purpose of compulsory military training is to instill knowledge of the Army, everyone could describe from experience what teachers do and most could probably also describe from experience what police, doctors and nurses do. These are all jobs where they frequently come into contact with ordinary citizens. Most people get their impression of the Army, Navy and Airforce from the media or at best, conversations with veterans.

You could do that by increasing army activity and mingling with the public, no need to train millions more soldiers.

[Heloin]

I'm more curious how this is expected to work for Northern Ireland. You want Irish Nationalists and Unionists to receive forced military training?

[Vassenor]

Also we don't do that Indoctrination thing, so get out of here with that "patriotism is vital" shit.

[Ideal Britain]

I'm more curious how this is expected to work for Northern Ireland. You want Irish Nationalists and Unionists to receive forced military training?

Convicted terrorists would obviously not be allowed.

[Saiwania]

For any conscription, there will be the question of what to do with those who're unfit for military service and with any surplus people. There could be plenty of soldiers but not enough actual jobs/roles allocated or a simple desire by the government to not have such a large payroll burden.

There are plenty of UK residents that can't qualify for or pass basic training. I can't because my eye sight is objectively not good enough, unless there is a meat grinder situation where human wave tactics are permitted and they just want another body to press the attack or hold the line.

[Heloin]

I'm more curious how this is expected to work for Northern Ireland. You want Irish Nationalists and Unionists to receive forced military training?

Convicted terrorists would obviously not be allowed.

You'd be shocked to know that doesn't actually answer my question.

[Ideal Britain]

The purpose of compulsory military training is to instill knowledge of the Army, everyone could describe from experience what teachers do and most could probably also describe from experience what police, doctors and nurses do. These are all jobs where they frequently come into contact with ordinary citizens. Most people get their impression of the Army, Navy and Airforce from the media or at best, conversations with veterans.

You could do that by increasing army activity and mingling with the public, no need to train millions more soldiers.

Ex-forces members already "mingle with the public"
My Media Studies teacher and one of my Explorer Scouts leaders were both ex-forces.
(the Explorers leader was a Captain whilst the Media Studies Teacher was a Warrant Officer Class 1)