Thighearnain Parliament: End Compulsory Service?

[Thighearnain]

In the Free Kingdom of Thighearnain, King Harald II has introduced a royal act to Parliament for approval. It is the King's response to the decades-long unpopularity of the compulsory service in Thighearnain for men ages 19-29. The act, decreed by Emperor Micheál IX in 1925 in response to the Third Tiger Islands War, which was costing the lives of hundreds of Thighearnish servicemen were being ended every day by the enemy and the front line was being driven back every day. Harald II believes that Thighearnain has recovered since the end of the war 40 years ago, and the public opinion is dead against the conscription.

Compulsory Service Act of 1925 by Decree of His Imperial Catholic Majesty Micheál IX of Thighearnain

Responding to the unacceptable loss of ground and life on the front of the Tiger Islands Colony of the Empire of Thighearnain, by imperial decree I institute the Compulsory Service Act of 1925.

Effective 2^nd August, 1925, 90% of all men fit for service and between the ages of nineteen and twenty-nine will be called to serve in the Thighearnain Imperial Defense Forces (Thighearnain IDF). A lottery will be held to determine which service the conscripted men will enter. The top 3% of conscripts will be nominated for officer candidacy.

Those men whose names were selected to serve Thighearnain but do not report for initial inspection and orientation will be declared 'deserters' and subject to all Thighearnish laws in act against desertion.

Signed,
His Imperial Catholic Majesty Micheál the Ninth, Emperor of Thighearnain, Emperor of Kürek, Lord of the Tiger Islands, Lord of Carmarthen

Repeal of Compulsory Service Act of 1974 by Decree of His Royal Catholic Majesty Harald II of Thighearnain

Effective 2^nd August, 1974, all men conscripted into the Thighearnain Royal Defense Forces (Thighearnain RDF) between 1925 and 1974 are hereby released honorably from service. Final pay is to be received on 1^st August, 1974 and discharge papers must be filed for those wishing to leave the service by 2^nd August. Men who were conscripted but wish to stay in service may do so at their choosing.

All prisoners held due to evasion of conscription are hereby pardoned by Royal Act of Harald II, May 1974.

Signed,
His Royal Catholic Majesty, Harald the Second, King of Thighearnain and Lord of Carmarthen

[--Wagondia--]

Wagondia Believes that you should keep a Voluntary Military. Some of the strongest Militaries in the World are Voluntary, and it gives more freedom to your populace. Also, you can establish non-combat military programs such as the Home Guard for those who do not wish to go to the Front Lines.

[Thighearnain]

Of the 24 members of the Parliament of Thighearnain, 18 of them have returned votes.

Current Results:
For: 11
Against: 7

As per guidelines for voting in Parliament, the other six must return their votes by 10 pm local time or their votes will not be counted. Public opinion is in favor of this act, but the top military commanders are against it.

[Ladora]

IC:

I have many times considered supporting an act which would re-introduce a limited National Service Program, as I feel it could help invigorate the culture of the nation.

Having said that, requiring a man to serve from the ages of nineteen to twenty-nine is just too much. If anything, you should require each man to serve two years, and then let him become a normal civilian once more, on the understanding that he may be recalled at any future date when his services are desperately needed.

- President I. J. Gomez

[--Wagondia--]

IC:

I have many times considered supporting an act which would re-introduce a limited National Service Program, as I feel it could help invigorate the culture of the nation.

Having said that, requiring a man to serve from the ages of nineteen to twenty-nine is just too much. If anything, you should require each man to serve two years, and then let him become a normal civilian once more, on the understanding that he may be recalled at any future date when his services are desperately needed.

- President I. J. Gomez

Yes. If you do decide to go along with conscription, this is probably the best way to handle it.

[H-Alba]

The Union of Socialist States of H-Alba advises the Thighearnain Parliament to vote for the End of Compulsory Service. Forcing young men into the army is a very infective way to ensure your army is strengthened.

[Thighearnain]

The final Parliament members cast their votes on the topic of agreeing with King Harald II to end compulsory service in the Free Kingdom of Thighearnain, which, in his words, "would make this country one step closer to truly being a Free Kingdom!"

His supporters cheered at the conclusion of that speech, given in Paidraicaer on March 19^th. However, in the following week, his critics picked apart his words bit-by-bit to pad their own argument. Field General Alexander Peters, top commander of the Royal Army of Thighearnain, called back memories of the Third Tiger Islands War and warned that similar situations could arise and the Thighearnish army would not be at full strength to handle the situations.

The two opposing arguments played on news stations across the country as the results of the vote were waiting to be released, but the public already knew that it would likely pass and conscription would end in Thighearnain. Finally, the playbacks of the past months' speeches ceased, and King Harald himself came on the air to deliver the results:

"My fellow countrymen and citizens, loyal subjects of Thighearnain and her Crown, I am pleased to announce that military conscription will end immediately, and all conscripted men will be free from their obligation of service by the end of the summer. The conscripted men stationed overseas may not be home by the second of August, but by the end of this summer they will have been recalled and will once again be on Thighearnish soil with their loved ones. Thank you all, may God bless you and Thighearnain, and good night."

[--Wagondia--]

The Republic of Wagondia applauds Thighearnain for their decision. Well Done.