Parliament is yet to vote on it, but it has been submitted to... some, parliamentary body of some sort.
National Service was common in the postwar years in Britain, in which a man was to spend a year in military service. Many famous people such as Michael Caine underwent national service.
But parliament wants to bring back the practice. Conscription's largely looked upon unfavourably these days - so that's no longer what it's about. National Service resurgence has been talked about since the ConDem coalition came to power in 2010. It's supposed to be about teaching discipline and civic virtue. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 26 will be required to "serve" for one year,
an element of public service, comprising one or more of the following to be chosen by the individual—
(i)charitable work,
(ii)social action,
(iii)care for the elderly or disabled,
(iv)overseas development activity, or
(v)work connected with the National Health Service, the
emergency services or the Armed Forces.
It's completely voluntary as to which you choose, and the armed forces represents one of only seven suggested options. I imagine there will be a heavy swing for non-combat roles in the forces, rather than combat elements.
If you fail or refuse to serve, then you will be guilty of an offence, but the bill is at such an early stage that what that offence or its punishment may be is not yet finalised.
It also states this for the "scope" of the programme:
(a)educational assistance for those participants who have yet to attain basic educational requirements of reading and writing in English and mathematics;
(b)coaching and instruction to attain basic levels of physical fitness,
personal discipline, smart appearance, self respect and respect for
others;
(c)instruction in personal financial budgeting, household bills, nutrition,
cooking, time keeping, life skills, tolerance towards others, treating
elderly and disabled people with dignity and respect; and
(d)instruction in basic aspects of the law in relation to the most common
offences involving young people.
This could be good, since these are virtues often considered to be lacking in modern society, and I was taught at school very little of (c), personally, nor do I feel schoolchildren are adequately taught about law and offence.
Frankly, I like the idea.
It also gives me an excuse to serve in the forces and get my mother to shush her objections over it.
What's your take NSG? Teaching civic virtue through charity and civil service on minimum wage the way forwards?
