NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Military service

Military service in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other military organisation, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft (conscription). Some nations (e.g. Israel) require a specific amount of military service from each and every one of its citizens (except for special cases such as mental illness or religious beliefs). A nation with a fully volunteer military does not normally require mandatory military service from its citizens, unless it is faced with a recruitment crisis during a time of war. Alternate cover US 1979 and 2002 reissue cover, also known as paint spatter cover For the military meaning, see Armed forces. ... Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... For other uses, see Army (disambiguation). ... A volunteer military or all-volunteer military is one which derives its manpower from volunteers rather than conscription or mandatory service. ...

Summary of countries

No defence forces

No enforced conscription

Conscription only in special circumstances

Military service limited to 1 year or less

Military service limited to 18 months

Civilian, unarmed or non-combatant service option

Selective conscription

Both compulsory and voluntary military service

Armed military service longer than 18 months, no unarmed option

Countries without mandatory military service

Argentina

Argentina suspended military conscription in 1994 and replaced it with a voluntary military service, yet those already in service had to finish their time in service.

This came as a result of political and social distrust of the military, dwindling budgets which forced the military to induct fewer conscripts every year, the experience of the 1982 Malvinas/Falklands War which proved the superiority of professional servicemen over conscripts and a series of conscription-related brutality scandals which came to a head with the murder of Private Omar Carrasco at an Army base in 1994, following a brutal disciplinary action. Combatants Argentina United Kingdom Commanders President Leopoldo Galtieri Vice-Admiral Juan Lombardo Brigadier-General Ernesto Crespo Brigade-General Mario MenÃ©ndez Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse Rear-Admiral John â€œSandyâ€ Woodward Major-General Jeremy Moore Casualties 649 killed 1,068 wounded 11,313 taken prisoner 75 fixed... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... The Argentine Army (EjÃ©rcito Argentino, EA) is the land armed force branch of the Argentine military and the senior military service of the country. ...

It should be noted that military conscription has not been abolished; the Mandatory Military Service Law is still in the books and might be enforced in times of war, crisis or national emergency.

Conscription is known in Argentina as la colimba. The word colimba is a composite word made from the initial syllables of the verbs correr (to run), limpiar (to clean) and barrer (to sweep), as it was perceived that all a conscript did during service was running, cleaning and sweeping. Conscripts themselves were known and referred to as "colimbas".

Australia

Although various levels of conscription were in force during times of conflict (World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War), Australia currently has no conscription. All forms of conscription were abolished by the Whitlam Government in 1972. Conscription in Australia, or mandatory military service also known as National Service, has a controversial history dating back to the first years of nationhood. ... â€œThe Great War â€ redirects here. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Belligerents United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway India Sweden Communist: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Peoples Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam Peopleâ€™s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... Edward Gough Whitlam (born 11 July 1916), Australian politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia, was the only Australian Prime Minister to be dismissed by the Governor-General. ...

Belgium

Belize

Belize has set minimum age for voluntary recruitment into the Armed Forces at 18. (According to the Section 16 of the Defense Act of the Defence Ordinance of 1977.) Conscription has never been prescribed in the Defense Act, but is at the Governor General’s determination.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina abolished compulsory military service as of January 1, 2006.[3] is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bulgaria

Bulgaria abolished compulsory military service. The last conscripts were sent home on November 25, 2007.[4][5][6] is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Previously there was mandatory military service for male citizens from eighteen to twenty-seven years of age. Duration of the service depended on the degree of education. For citizens studying for or holding a bachelor degree or higher the service was six months, and for citizens with no higher education it was nine months.^[5] The duration of service was two years in 1994, and was dropping steadily, until it was finally abolished.

Canada

In Canada conscription has never taken place in peacetime. Conscription became an extremely controversial issue during both World War I and World War II, especially in the province of Quebec. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 was a political and military crisis in Canada during World War I. // At the outbreak of war in 1914, over 30,000 volunteers joined the army, far more than expected. ... The Conscription Crisis of 1944 was a political and military crisis in Canada during World War II. It was similar to the Conscription Crisis of 1917, but was not as politically damaging. ... â€œThe Great War â€ redirects here. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... This article is about the Canadian province. ...

Costa Rica

Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948. See Military of Costa Rica In December 1, 1948, president JosÃ© Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the countrys army after victory in the civil war in that year. ...

Croatia

On October 3, 2007, the government proposed to the parliament of the Republic of Croatia a decision to suspend all compulsory military service. This was supported by President Stjepan Mesić, and after a vote in the parliament on October 5, 2007, the decision became official. As of January 1, 2008, obligatory military (or civil) service is replaced with voluntary military service. [7] is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Republic of Croatia is a crescent-shaped country in Europe bordering the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans. ... Stjepan Stipe MesiÄ‡ (born December 24, 1934) is a Croatian politician. ... For other uses, see 5th October (Serbia). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic abolished compulsory military service on December 31, 2004. See announcement by the Minister of Defence and related BBC News article. is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

France

Modern conscription was invented during the French Revolution, when the Republic wanted a stronger defense and to expand its radical ideas throughout Europe. The 1798 Jourdan Act stated: "Any French is a soldier and owes himself to the defense of the nation". Thus Napoleon Bonaparte could create afterward the Grande Armée with which he set out on the first large intra-European war. The French Revolution (1789â€“1815) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... The Jourdan Law of 1798 (loi Jourdan) effectively institutionalised conscription in Revolutionary France, which began with the levee en masse. ... NapolÃ©on I, Emperor of the French (born Napoleone di Buonaparte, changed his name to NapolÃ©on Bonaparte)[1] (15 August 1769; Ajaccio, Corsica â€“ 5 May 1821; Saint Helena) was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from... La Grande ArmÃ©e (in English, the Big or Grand Army) is the French military term for the main force in a military campaign. ...

France suspended peacetime military conscription in 1996, while those born before 1979 had to complete their service (see related BBC News article); since the Algerian War of Independence (1954-62), conscripts had not been deployed abroad or in war zones, except those volunteering for such deployments. Combatants FLN (1954-62) MNA (1954-62) France (1954-62) FAF (1960-61) OAS (1961-62) Commanders Mostefa BenboulaÃ¯d Ferhat Abbas Hocine AÃ¯t Ahmed Ahmed Ben Bella Krim Belkacem Larbi Ben MHidi Rabah Bitat Mohamed Boudiaf Messali Hadj General Jacques Massu General Maurice Challe Bachaga Said Boualam...

Hungary

Hungary abolished mandatory military service by November 2004, after the parliament had modified the constitution, ending a long-standing political dispute. To restore drafting, a two-thirds vote in parliament is needed, which is unlikely in the short term. The country is currently developing a professional army, with strong emphasis on "contract soldiers" who voluntarily serve 4+4 years for a wage. The National Assembly of Hungary (OrszÃ¡ggyÅ±lÃ©s) is the national parliament of Hungary. ...

India

India has never had mandatory military service, either under British rule or since independence in 1947. It maintains the world's second largest army which is purely voluntary in nature. Anthem God Save The King The British Indian Empire, 1909 Capital Calcutta (1858 - 1912) New Delhi (1912 - 1947) Language(s) Hindustani, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India - 1858-1901 VictoriaÂ¹ - 1901-1910 Edward VII - 1910-1936 George V - 1936 Edward VIII - 1936-1947 George VI ViceroyÂ² - 1858...

Iraq

Saddam Hussein's large Iraqi army was largely composed of conscripts, except for the elite Republican Guard. About 100,000 conscripts died during the First Persian Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm. In the intervening years, Iraq's military suffered from decay and poor leadership, but there was still compulsory service. One program of note was "Ashbal Saddam" known as "Saddam's Cubs" where children were trained to defend Iraq through "toughening" exercises such as firearms training and dismembering live chickens with their teeth. Following the Second Persian Gulf War where the original military was disbanded, the Iraqi Army was recreated as a volunteer force with training overseen at first by the Coalition Provisional Authority and later by the American presence. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein talks with elite Republican Guard officers in Baghdad on March 1, 2003. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... The Seal of the CPA in Iraq The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was established as a transitional government following the invasion of Iraq by the United States, United Kingdom and the other members of the multinational coalition which was formed to oust the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003. ...

Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland has always had a fully volunteer military. See the Irish Defence Forces.

Italy

Italy had mandatory military service, for men only, until December 31, 2004. The right to conscientious objection was legally recognized in 1972 so that a "non armed military service", or a community service, could be authorised as an alternative to those who required it.^[6] is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... John T. Neufeld was a WWI conscientious objector sentenced to 15 years hard labour in the military prison at Leavenworth. ...

The Italian Parliament approved the suspension of the mandatory military service in 2004, with effect starting from January 1, 2005, and the Italian armed forces will now be entirely composed of professional volunteer troops, both male and female.^[7] The Parliament of Italy (Italian: Parlamento Italiano) is the national parliament of Italy. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Jamaica

In Jamaica the military service is voluntary from 18 years of age up. Younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent.

Japan

Japan's Self Defence Forces have been a volunteer force since their establishment in the 1950s, following the end of the Allied occupation. As the Japanese constitution expressly prohibits Japan from maintaining any offensive military force, conscription will most likely not be an issue in the near future. The Japan Self-Defense Forces ), or JSDF, are the military forces in Japan that were established after the end of World War II. The force has not been engaged in real combat but has been engaged in some international peacekeeping operations. ... The present Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947, during the American occupation after the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II. The Constitution of the Empire of Japan (1889–1947) The first constitution in Japan was enacted by the Emperor during the Meiji Era...

Latvia

Latvia abolished military service on 1 January 2007.^[8] is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Lebanon

Lebanon previously had mandatory military service of one year for men. On 4 May 2005, a new conscription system was adopted, making for a six-month service, and pledging to end conscription within two years. By 10 February 2007 it did.[8] is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Luxembourg

Republic of Macedonia

Republic of Macedonia abolished compulsory military service as of October 2006.[9] For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ...

Montenegro

President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović has, as of 30 August 2006, abolished conscription for the military. The President of Montenegro is the head of state of the Republic of Montenegro. ... This article is about the country in Europe. ... Filip VujanoviÄ‡ (Serbian Cyrillic: Ð¤Ð¸Ð»Ð¸Ð¿ Ð’ÑƒÑ˜Ð°Ð½Ð¾Ð²Ð¸Ñ›) (born September 1, 1954 in Belgrade, Serbia, Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia) is a politician who since 2003 has served as the President of Montenegro, and is the first president of the worlds newest country from May 2006. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Morocco

Morocco eliminated compulsory military service as of August 31, 2006.^[9] is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Netherlands

The Netherlands established conscription for a territorial militia in 1814, simultaneously establishing a standing army which was to be manned by volunteers only. However, lack of sufficient volunteers caused the two components to be merged in 1819 into a "cadre-militia" army, in which the bulk of troops were conscripts, led by professional officers and NCOs. This system remained in use until the end of the Cold War. Between 1991 and 1996, the Dutch armed forces phased out their conscript personnel and converted to an all-volunteer force. The last conscript troops were inducted in 1995 and demobilized in 1996. Formally, the Netherlands has not abolished conscription; that is to say, the laws and systems which provide for the conscription of armed forces personnel remain in place, and Dutch citizens who completed their military service prior to 1996 can still, theoretically, be mobilized in the event of a national emergency. The conscription in the Netherlands (Dutch: dienstplicht) was first employed in 1810 by the French occupiers under Louis Bonaparte. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

New Zealand

Conscription of men into the armed forces of New Zealand came into effect in 1940, and was abolished in 1972. Compulsory Military Training (CMT) was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1919 just after World War I (1914 to 1918). ...

==Like India, Pakistan has always maintained a purely volunteer military. However, in the immdiet aftermath of independance, and the 1948 war; at a time when the army was just reorganizing from a colonial force to a new national army; militias raised for service from, the Frontier, Punjab and Kashmir were often raised from locals tribe; eacj tribe was given a quota and many of the individuals sent did not "volunteer" in the strictest sence (though many did). This is the only example of a conscription like situation in Pakistan.

Peru

Portugal

Portugal abolished compulsory military service on November 19, 2004. See an announcement by the Minister of Defence. is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Romania

Romania abolished compulsory military service on October 23, 2006.^[10] This came about due to a 2003 constitutional amendment which allowed the parliament to make military service optional. The Romanian Parliament voted to abolish conscription in October 2005, with the vote formalising one of many military modernisation and reform programmes that Romania agreed to when it joined NATO. is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Romanian Constitution is the fundamental law that establishes the structure of the government of Romania, the rights and obligations of the countrys citizens, and its mode of passing laws. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senatul Camera DeputaÅ£ilor President of the Senate Nicolae VÄƒcÄƒroiu, PSD, since 2004 President of the Chamber of Deputies Bogdan Olteanu, PNL, since 2006 Members 469 137 senators 332 deputies Political groups (as of 2004 elections) Senate: D.A., PSD, PRM, UDMR, PC, Independents Chamber... This article is about the military alliance. ...

Slovakia

Slovakia abolished compulsory military service on January 1, 2006. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Slovenia

Slovenia's Prime Minister Anton Rop abolished mandatory military service on September 9, 2003. See the official press release. A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Anton Rop Anton Rop (born 27 December 1960) was the fourth Prime Minister of Slovenia. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

South Africa

South Africa under the apartheid system had two years of compulsory military service for white men, followed by camps at intervals. This was abolished in 1994. See End Conscription Campaign. A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... The End Conscription Campaign was an anti-apartheid organisation of conscientious objectors in South Africa. ...

Spain

Spain abolished compulsory military service in 2001. See an announcement by the Minister of Defence. Military and alternative service was nine months long and in recent years the majority of conscripts chose to perform alternative, rather than military, service. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 533 pixelsFull resolution (1606 Ã— 1071 pixel, file size: 585 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 533 pixelsFull resolution (1606 Ã— 1071 pixel, file size: 585 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Tanzania

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom introduced conscription during both world wars. For the first two years of World War I the British relied on volunteers. But by 1916 the need for yet more soldiers to replace losses at the front, forced the British Government to introduce conscription under the Military Service Act. Conscientious objectors received relatively harsh treatment in the 1914-18 war. Most had to do war-related work of a non-military sort. Some went to jail.^{[citation needed]} â€œThe Great War â€ redirects here. ... UK Military Service Act In January, 1916 David Lloyd George introduced the Military Service Act for the UK. Previous to this Act, the British Government had been relying on voluntary registration called the Derby Scheme. ... John T. Neufeld was a WWI conscientious objector sentenced to 15 years hard labour in the military prison at Leavenworth. ...

Ireland was initially exempt from conscription in the First World War, but it was extended to Ireland on April 9, 1918. This led a Conscription Crisis in Ireland and was a decisive factor in pushing the country into seeking its independence. The poet W.B. Yeats wrote to Lord Haldane in protest: "...it seems to me a strangely wanton thing that England, for the sake of 50,000 Irish soldiers, is prepared to hollow another trench between the countries and fill it with blood." Also in protest, Lady Gregory declared "women and children will stand in front of their men and receive the bullets, rather than let them be taken to the front." is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Conscription Crisis of 1918 stemmed from a move by the Government of the United Kingdom to impose conscription in Ireland, and contributed to pivotal events in early 20th century politics in Ireland, galvanising popular support for parties favouring separation from the United Kingdom. ... An Irish War of Independence memorial in Dublin The Anglo-Irish War (also known as the Irish War of Independence) was a guerrilla campaign mounted against the British government in Ireland by the Irish Republican Army under the proclaimed legitimacy of the First DÃ¡il, the extra-legal Irish parliament... Yeats redirects here. ... Lord Haldane Richard Burdon Sanderson Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane, (July 30, 1856 - August 19, 1928), was an important British Liberal politician, lawyer, and philosopher. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

Conscription was reintroduced in 1939 at the start of World War II. Not only was conscription used for the three branches of the armed forces, it was also introduced to aid in coal mining with the Bevin Boys, and later in the war with the introduction of conscription of women into the Women's Land Army to help with agricultural production. Conscientious objectors were treated more tolerantly, but could still go to prison if they refused war-related work. Northern Ireland was exempt from conscription in the Second World War, and was also excluded from the post-war National Service. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Bevin Boys were young British men conscripted to work in the coal mines of the United Kingdom, from December 1943 until the end of World War II. Chosen at random from among the conscripts, nearly 48,000 Bevin Boys performed vital but largely unrecognised service in the coal mines, many... The Womens Land Army (WLA) was a British civilian organization created during the First and Second World Wars to work in agriculture replacing men called up to the military. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 kmÂ², about a sixth of the islands total area). ...

After World War II, the Government introduced National Service, which was abolished in 1963. National service is a common name for compulsory or voluntary military service programs. ...

United States

The United States has employed conscription intermittently. For example, in 1863 the imposition of a draft during the Civil War touched off the New York Draft Riots. Conscription was next used after the United States entered World War I in 1917. The first peacetime conscription came with the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. Active conscription ("the draft") ended in 1973. Currently, male U.S. citizens, if aged eighteen through twenty five, are required to register with the Selective Service System, whose mission is "to provide manpower to the armed forces in an emergency" including a "Health Care Personnel Delivery System" [11] and "to run an Alternative Service Program for men classified as conscientious objectors during a draft." No one has been prosecuted for violating the conscription law in the USA since 1986. Women do not register for Selective Service in the United States, but they may enlist for voluntary service. Conscription in the United States has been employed several times, usually during war but also during the nominal peace of the Cold War. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as the U.S., the Union, the North, or the Yankees; and the seceding southern states, commonly referred to as the Confederate States of America, the CSA, the Confederacy... Combatants Anti-Union rioters United States of America Commanders Unknown John E. Wool Casualties 100 civilians The New York Draft Riots (July 13 to July 16, 1863; known at the time as Draft Week[1]) were a series of violent disturbances in New York City that were the culmination of... President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service Training Act. ... The Selective Service System is the means by which the United States administers military conscription. ... A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, or sometimes with any role in the armed forces. ...

Countries with mandatory military service

Albania

Armenia

Armenia has compulsory military service for two years for males from 18 to 27 years.

Austria

Austria has mandatory military service for fit male citizens from 18 to 35 years of age. Since 2006, the period of service has been six months. Conscientious objectors can join the civilian service (called Zivildienst) for nine months. Badge of Zivildienst (Austria, 1982) Zivildienst (German, translates roughly into Civilian Service) is the name for the civilian branch of the national service systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. ...

Since January 1, 1998, females can join the military service voluntarily. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Belarus

Belarus has mandatory military service for all fit men from eighteen to twenty-seven years of age. Military service lasts for eighteen months for those without higher education, and for twelve months for those with higher education.

Bermuda

Bermuda, although an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, still maintains conscription for its local force. Males between the age of eighteen and thirty-two are drawn by lottery to serve in The Bermuda Regiment for a period of thirty-eight months. The commitment is only on a part time basis, however. Anyone who objects to this has the right to have their case heard by an exemption tribunal. The Bermuda Regiment is the home defence unit of the British colony of Bermuda. ...

Brazil

Males in Brazil are required to serve 12 months of military service upon their 18th birthday. While de jure all males are required to serve, numerous exceptions mean military service is de facto limited mostly to volunteers, with an average of between 5 and 10% of those reporting for duty actually being inducted.^[12] Most often, the service is performed in military bases as close as possible to the person's home. The government does not usually require those planning to attend college or holding a permanent job to serve. There are also several other exceptions, including health reasons, for which one may not have to serve. Recruits accepted at a university may also choose to train under a program similar to the American ROTC, and satisfy their military requirement this way. Direct entrance to one of the military academies will also substitute for this requirement. Look up De jure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a training program of the United States armed forces present on college campuses to recruit and educate commissioned officers. ...

Chile

Chile has mandatory military service for male ^[13] citizens between eighteen and forty-five. The duration of service is twelve months for the army and twenty-four months for Navy and Air Force.

China (PRC)

Conscription has existed in theory since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949; however, because of China's huge population and therefore the large number of individuals who volunteer to join the regular armed forces, a draft has never been enforced.

Conscription is enshrined in Article 55 of the Constitution, which states: "It is a sacred duty of every citizen of the People's Republic of China to defend his or her motherland and resist invasion. It is an honoured obligation of the citizens of the People's Republic of China to perform military service and to join the militia forces." [2]

The present legal basis of conscription is the 1984 Military Service Law, which describes military service as a duty for "all citizens without distinction of race (...) and religious creed." This law has not been amended since it came into effect. [1] [4]

Military service is normally performed in the regular armed forces, but the 1984 law does allow for conscription into the reserve forces.

Hong Kong and Macau SAR residents however, as of 1997 and 1999 are forbidden from joining the military.

Colombia

Cyprus

Cyprus has compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot men between the ages of eighteen and fifty. Military service lasts for twenty-five months. After that, ex-soldiers are considered reservists and participate in military exercises for a few days every year. Conscientious objectors can either do thirty three months unarmed service in the army or thirty eight months community work. See official pages by the Greek Cypriot National Guard. Legislation and practice relating to civilian alternatives to military service remained punitive in nature, although new legislation which came into force in 2004 reduced the length of such alternative service. The Special Committee, which makes recommendations on applications for conscientious objection, proposed a blanket rejection of applications based on ideological grounds where applicants do not declare particular beliefs. AI called for a re-evaluation of the Committee’s methods and for the authorities to establish an alternative to military service of a purely civilian nature, outside the authority of the Ministry of Defence. Amnesty International The Annan Plan for Cyprus that was rejected in the 2004 referendum mandated the demilitarisation of the island and the disbanding of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces. Military service in the Republic of Cyprus is mandatory for males. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The two major communities of the de facto divided island nation of Cyprus held a referendum on settling the Cyprus dispute on 24 April 2004. ...

Denmark

As described in the Constitution of Denmark, § 81, Denmark has mandatory service for all able men. Normal service is four months, and is normally served by men in the age of eighteen to twenty-seven. Some special services will take longer. Danish men will typically receive a letter around the time of their 18th birthday, asking when their current education (if any) ends, and some time later, depending on when, they will receive a notice on when to attend to the draft office to be tested physically and psychologically. However, some may be deemed unfit for service and not be required to show up.

Even if a person is deemed fit, or partially fit for service, he may avoid having to serve if he draws a high enough number randomly. Persons who are deemed partly fit for service will however be placed lower than those who are deemed fit for service, and therefore have a very low chance of being drafted. Men deemed fit can be called upon for service until their 50th birthday in case of national crisis, regardless of whether normal conscription has been served. This right is very rarely exercised by Danish authorities.

Conscientious objectors can choose to instead serve six months in a non-military position, for example in Redningsberedskabet (dealing with non-military disasters like fires, flood, pollution, etc.) or foreign aid work in a third world country. [12]. John T. Neufeld was a WWI conscientious objector sentenced to 15 years hard labour in the military prison at Leavenworth. ... The Danish National Rescue Preparedness (Danish: Det samlede Redningsberedskab or simply Redningsberedskabet) is the umbrella term for the Danish nationwide rescue service. ...

Egypt

Egypt had a mandatory military service program for males between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Females of comparable age serve in a civilian program. Conscription is regularly postponed for students until the end of their studies, as long as they apply before they turn twenty-eight years of age. By the age of thirty a male is considered unfit to join the army and pays a fine. Males with no brothers, or those supporting parents are exempted from the service. Former President Sadat added that any Egyptian who have dual nationality is exempted from military service and this is still in effect till today. Males serve for a period ranging from fourteen months to forty-eight months depending on their education; high school dropouts serve for forty-eight months during which they finish their high-school education. College graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education, and college graduates with special skills are still conscripted yet at a different rank and with a different pay scale with the option of remaining with the service as a career. Some Egyptians evade conscription and travel overseas until they reach the age of thirty, at which point they are tried, pay a $580 fine (as of 2004), and are dishonorably relieved of their obligation to serve in the army. Such an offense, legally considered an offense of "bad moral character", prevents the "unpatriotic" citizen from ever holding public office. Field Marshal Mohammed Anwar Al Sadat (Arabic:Ù…ØÙ…Ø¯ Ø£Ù†ÙˆØ±Ø§Ù„Ø³Ø§Ø¯Ø§Øª) in (December 25, 1918 â€“ October 6, 1981) was an Egyptian soldier and politician, who served as the third President of Egypt from October 15, 1970 until his assassination on October 6, 1981. ...

Finland

Finland has mandatory military service for men of a minimum duration of six months (180 days), depending on the assigned position: those trained as officers or NCOs serve for twelve months (362 days), specialist troops serve for nine (270 days) or twelve months, while rank and file serve for the minimum period. Unarmed service is also possible, and lasts eleven months (330 days). The obligation to enter into service begins at the age of 19, and may be postponed to the age of 29, when it becomes either mandatory, or the conscript is exempted. A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ...

Since 1995, women have been able to volunteer for military service. During the first 45 days, women have an option to quit at will. Having served for 45 days, they fall under the same obligation to serve as men except for medical reasons. A pregnancy during service would interrupt the service but not automatically cause a medical discharge.

Non-military service of twelve months is available for men whose conscience prevents them from serving in the military. Men who refuse to serve at all are sent to prison for six months or half the time of their remaining non-military service at the time of refusal. In theory, male citizens from the demilitarized Åland region are to serve in customs offices or lighthouses, but since this service has not been arranged, they are always exempted in practice. Jehovah's Witnesses' service is postponed every two years until they, at the age of twenty-eight, are exempted from service. Military service has been mandatory for men throughout the history of independent Finland since 1917. Soldiers and civilian servicemen receive a daily salary of 3.80 € (days 1 – 180), 6.50 € (days 181 – 270) and 9.00 € (onward from day 271). A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, perhaps with any role in the armed forces or just with a particular war. ... â€œAlandâ€ redirects here. ... Eddystone Lighthouse, one of the first wavewashed lighthouses For other uses, see Lighthouse (disambiguation). ...

Approximately 20% are trained as NCOs (corporals, sergeants), and 10% are trained as officers-in-reserve (second lieutenant). In wartime, it is expected that the officers-in-reserve fulfil most Company Commander positions. At the beginning of the service, all men go trough same basic training of eight weeks. After this eight week period it is decided who will be trained as NCOs or officers.

Having completed the initial part of the service as a conscript, the soldier is placed in the reserve. Reservists may be called for mandatory refresher exercises. Rank and file serve a maximum of 40 days, specialists 75 days and officers and NCOs 100 days. Per refresher course day, the reservists receive a taxable salary of about fifty euro. The salary depends slightly on the military rank: officers receive €56, NCOs €53 and rank-and file 51€ per diem. The service is mandatory; it is not possible to refuse an order to attend the refresher exercise, only postpone. As of late though, the option to opt for non-military service has been made available as the Finnish Defence Forces has made ongoing budget cuts, reflected in the number of reservist exercises annually. A member of the United States Military that spends one weekend a month and two weeks annually training to protect and defend the United States. ... The Finnish Defence Forces (Finnish Puolustusvoimat; Swedish FÃ¶rsvarsmakten) is a cadre army of 16500, of which 8700 professional soldiers (officers), with a standard readiness strength of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). ...

There are no general exemptions for the conscription. Study, work or other civilian activity is not grounds for exemption nor automatic postponing. The law requires employers, landlords etc. to continue any pre-existing contracts after the service. For medical reasons, exemption or postponing can be given only by a military doctor. If the disability is expected to be cured, there is no exemption, and the service is postponed. The basic doctrine is that the great majority of each age cohort serve, and the size of the active army can be adjusted by changing the maximum age of reservists to be called up, instead of using selective service.

The option to military service is civilian service, where a conscript finds a job at some public institution, where he serves 12 months, the same as the longest rank-and-file service (drivers). Before 2008, the law required 13 months, which was criticized for being punitive.

Over 80% of Finnish males serve in the military. Often there is great pressure from family members to do armed instead of civilian service. Finnish World War Two veterans are highly respected in Finland, and not undertaking military service may be considered an offence towards veterans in the family. There has also been a prevailing social assumption that masculinity can only be proved by army service, and, consequently, not doing so can lead to the stigmatisation of non-conscripts as not "real men". This has recently started waning as being considered an old-fashioned perspective, but it still holds in some more traditional occupations such as teaching.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, the youth are often frightened that employers do not hire men who have performed civilian service.

The national security policy of Finland is based on a credible independent defence of all Finnish territory. The maximum number of military personnel abroad is limited to 2,000 (out of the 900,000 available reserve). Contributions to the UN troops comprise only professional soldiers and trained, paid reservists who have specifically applied to such operations. Therefore, there is no "expeditionary wars" argument against conscription. USS , and HMS Illustrious, two aircraft carriers on a joint patrol. ...

Draft dodging is nearly nonexistent, as failure to show up to conscription immediately leads to an arrest warrant and is prosecuted as absence without leave, or desertion after five days of absence. Showing the military pass is required to obtain a passport. A draft dodger, or draft evader, is a person who avoids (dodges) the conscription policies of the nation in which he or she is a citizen or resident, by leaving the country or going into hiding. ... For other uses of Desertion, see Abandonment. ... For Microsoft Corporationâ€™s â€œuniversal loginâ€ service, formerly known as Microsoft Passport Network, see Windows Live ID. For other types of travel document, see Travel document. ...

Political opposition to conscription is rather marginalized and heavily associated with Communist or anarchist groups. Particularly, the "Defenders of Peace" (Rauhanpuolustajat), who opposed military readiness, were supported by the Soviets during the Cold War era. Therefore, opposition to conscription is still heavily associated with anti-patriotism and Communism.

Germany

Germany has mandatory military service of nine months for men. Women may volunteer and are allowed to perform similar jobs as men. A conscientious objector may petition for permission to do civilian alternative service, "civilian service" (Zivildienst) instead for nine months, which is usually accepted. A third option is to become a foreign development aide (Entwicklungshelfer) for at least eighteen months. Overall, however, during the past few years, the number of men being drafted has declined significantly. Germany has conscription (Wehrpflicht) for male citizens. ... Badge of Zivildienst (Austria, 1982) Zivildienst (German, translates roughly into Civilian Service) is the name for the civilian branch of the national service systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. ...

Besides several exceptions, military service is compulsory for all men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three years. Those who are engaged in educational or vocational training programs prior to their military assessment are allowed to postpone service until they have completed the programs and can be called upon to perform their national duty at any time thereafter. This, however, does not apply for students who want to take up courses at university.

Greece

As of 2006, Greece (Hellenic Republic) has mandatory military service of twelve months for men. Although Greece is developing a professional army system, it continues to enforce the 12-month mandatory military service despite earlier promises that the draft will be reduced to six months. Women are accepted into the Greek army, they are not obliged to join as men are. Soldiers receive full health insurance and a salary of approximately nine euro per month for privates and twelve euro for the rank of draft corporal and draft sergeant. The wages are not sufficient to sustain a draftee serving his tour away from his place of residence and most draftees depend on their parents to support them financially while they are on their tour. As of 2006, Greece (Hellenic Republic) has mandatory military service of 12 months for men between the ages of 19 and 45. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ...

Conscientious objection to military service (Greece)

The length of alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors to military service remained punitive at 42 months. Amnesty International was also concerned that the determination of conscientious objector status fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence, which breaches international standards that stipulate that the entire institution of alternative service should have a civilian character.(Amnesty International)

Iran

Iran has mandatory military service for men. Duration of military service is dependent on some conditions and circumstances, but it is usually 21 months in normal conditions on top of the three months of initial training. Exceptions are those who cannot serve because of injury or disability or some social conditions. More information can be found at Police Web Site (in Persian). Students are exempt as long as they are attending school. The higher the education of a man, the higher his rank will be in the military. Farsi redirects here. ...

Israel

Israel has mandatory military service for both men and women. All Israeli citizens are conscripted at age 18 or the conclusion of 12th Grade, with the following exceptions:

Typically, men are required to serve for 3 years and women for 2 years. Officers and other soldiers in certain voluntary units such as Nahal and Hesder are required to sign on for additional service. Those studying in a "Mechina" (pre-induction preparatory course) defer service until the conclusion of the program, typically one academic year. An additional program (called "Atuda'i") for qualified applicants allows post-secondary academic studies prior to induction. See also: Israel Defence Forces. Haredi or chareidi Judaism is the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism. ... This article is about the Jewish male educational system. ... Religions Druze Scriptures Rasail al-hikmah (Epistles of Wisdom) Languages Arabic. ... A Bedouin man on a hillside at Mount Sinai Bedouin, (from the Arabic (), is a desert-dwelling Arab nomadic pastoralist, found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via the Western Desert, Sinai, and Negev to the Arabian Desert. ... Circassians is a term derived from the Turkic Cherkess (Ã‡erkes), and is not the self-designation of any people. ... In the 21st century, an increasing number of young people are enrolling in civilian or non-military national services, generally referred to as National Youth Services. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Hesder (in Hebrew: arrangement; or Yeshivat Hesder ×™×©×™×‘×ª ×”×¡×“×¨) is an Israeli yeshiva program which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces. ... A Mechina (Hebrew: ×ž×›×™× ×”; preparatory) is an Israeli educational institution for post-secondary youth, aimed at preparing them either for their army or national service, or for entrance to an institution of higher education in Israel. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ...

There is a very limited amount of conscientious objection to conscription into the IDF. More common is refusal by reserve soldiers to serve in the West Bank and Gaza. Some of these conscientious objectors may be assigned to serve elsewhere, or are sentenced to brief prison terms lasting a few months to a year and may subsequently receive dishonourable discharges. See also: Refusal to serve in the Israeli military. A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, or sometimes with any role in the armed forces. ... to be merged with IDF (disambiguation) IDF may stand for: intermediate distribution frame (in telephony) Iceland Defense Force Irish Defence Forces Israel Defense Forces The AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence Fighter This page disambiguates a three-character combination which might be any or all of an abbreviation, an acronym, an... Not to be confused with the Spanish name Garza or the Egyptian town of Giza. ... Refusal to serve in the Israeli military includes both refusal to obey specific orders and refusal to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in any capacity due to pacifistic or antimilitaristic views or disagreement with the policies of the Israeli government as implemented by the army. ...

After their period of regular army service, men are liable for up to 45 days per year of reserve duty (miluim) until they are in their early forties. Women in certain positions of responsibility are liable for reserve duty to a limited extent, until they are twenty-four years old, married, or pregnant.

Korea, South

South Korea has mandatory military service of 24 to 27 months.^[14] There are no alternatives for conscientious objectors^[15] except imprisonment. The duration of service varies from branch to branch of the military however, by 2012, army military service will be reduced to 18 months varying by age and background of education.

Malaysia

As of 2004, Malaysia has mandatory national service of three months for a selected group of both men and women. Twenty percent of 18-year-olds are selected through a lottery system to join this program. Trainees are not trained to use firearms except for the M16 rifle, and only with a short time. However, this is done only in the presence of military officials, and the weapons are not kept in the camps although almost all national service camps in Malaysia are located close to military bases. The first training date was February 16, 2004. See Official Information from Malaysia National Service Training Department. The Malaysian National Service, or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was first proposed in late 2001, brought to committee the next year, and finally brought to action in 2003. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Malaysian National Service, or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was first proposed in late 2001, brought to committee the next year, and finally brought to action in 2003. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Mexico

Currently, all males reaching eighteen years of age must register for military service (Servicio Militar Nacional, or SMN) for one year, though selection is made by a lottery system using the following color scheme: whoever draws a black ball must serve as a "disponibility reservist", that is, he must not follow any activities whatsoever and get his discharge card at the end of the year. The ones who get a white ball serve Saturdays in a Batallón del Servicio Militar Nacional (National Military Service Battalion) composed entirely of one-year SMN conscripts. Those with a community service interest may participate in Literacy Campaigns as teachers or as physical education instructors. Military service is also (voluntarily) open to women. In certain cities, such as Mexico City and Veracruz, there is a third option: a red ball (Mexico City) and a Blue ball (Veracruz), which entails serving a full year as a recruit in a Paratrooper Battalion in the case of Mexico City residents, or an Infantería de Marina unit (Navy Marines) in Veracruz. In other cities which have a Navy HQ (such as Ciudad Madero), it is the Navy which takes charge of the conscripts, instead of the Army.

Draft dodging was an uncommon occurrence in Mexico until 2002, since a "liberated" military ID card was needed for a Mexican male to obtain a passport, but since this requirement was dropped, absenteeism from military service has become much more common. A draft dodger, or draft evader, is a person who avoids (dodges) the conscription policies of the nation in which he or she is a citizen or resident, by leaving the country or going into hiding. ...

Norway

Norway has mandatory military service of nineteen months for men between the ages of 18.5 (17 with parental consent) and 44 (55 in case of war). Beginning in 2006, the armed forces will also invite females to take a pre-service medical examination, but they will not be drafted unless they sign a declaration of willingness. The actual draft time is six months for the home guard, and twelve months for the regular army, air force and navy. Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Home Guard (Norwegian: Heimevernet), is a rapid mobilization force in the Norwegian military. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Army (Norwegian: HÃ¦ren) is Norways military land force. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) (Norwegian: Luftforsvaret) is the air force of Norway. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Royal Norwegian Navy (often abbreviated as RNoN) is the branch of the Norwegian Defence Force responsible for naval operations. ...

The remaining months are supposed to be served in annual exercises, but very few conscripts do this because of lack of funding for the Norwegian armed forces. As a result of this decreased funding and greater reliance on high technology, the armed forces are aiming towards drafting only 10,000 conscripts a year. The remainder, for the most part, either are formally dismissed after medical tests or obtain deferral from the service because of studies or stays abroad.

Some, such as those who choose vocational course paths during high school (for example, carpenters and electricians) opt to complete their required apprenticeships within the military. While some Norwegians consider it unfair that they have to complete the compulsory military duty when so many others are dismissed, others see it as a privilege and there is normally high competition to be allowed to join some branches of the service.^{[citation needed]} Employers often show favorable regard to those who complete their military service, although many do not care.^{[citation needed]}

The Norwegian armed forces will normally not draft a person who has reached the age of 28. In Norway, certain voluntary specialist training programs and courses entail extended conscription of one to eight years. Pacifists can apply for non-military service, which lasts 12 months. Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes or gaining advantage. ... A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, perhaps with any role in the armed forces or just with a particular war. ...

Poland

Poland has a compulsory service term of nine months for all mature men (three months for those with higher education). However, many of them are considered unfit for mandatory military service during peacetime. Effectively, many tens of thousands of men are drafted each autumn. Alternative service can be requested, e.g. in the police force. This is only valid if you are not attending an educational facility. Students born in 1983 or later can volunteer for military preparations, so they can serve in the military for 6 weeks during their summer break after they finish fourth semester. After joining the European Union, many young men moved abroad in order to avoid the draft and the quite low conditions within the Polish Army. Also many, facing very high unemployment in the country, join the forces voluntarily to serve the term and later gain opportunities to get well paid jobs within the military or police. Mandatory military service is expected to be abolished by 2009 .[13] Polish Army (Polish Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. ...

Russia

The conscription system was introduced into Imperial Russia by Dmitry Milyutin on 1 January 1874. As of 2008, the Russian Federation has a mandatory 12 months draft. Some examples of how people avoid being drafted are: Conscription in Russia is presently a 18 months draft mandatory for all male citizens age 18-27, with a number of exceptions. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... Count Dmitry Alekseyevich Milyutin (June 28, 1816, Moscow - January 25, 1912, Simeiz near Yalta) was Minister of War (1861-81) and the last Field Marshal of Imperial Russia (1898). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Motto: none Anthem: Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital Moscow Largest city Moscow Official language(s) Russian Government Semi-presidential Federal republic - President of Russia Vladimir Putin - Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Independence From the Soviet Union - Declared June 12, 1991 - Finalized December 25, 1991 Area - Total 17,075,400 km...

In Russia, a person can be conscripted at the age 18 – 27, i.e. a man can't be drafted after he turns twenty-seven. A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of higher education, such as universities, normally as the result of successfully completing a program of study. ...

In 2006, the Russian government and State Duma gradually reduced the term of service to 18 months from 24 for those who will be conscripted in 2007 and to 12 months from 2008 and dropped some legal excuses for non-conscription from the law (such as non-conscription of rural doctors and teachers, of men who have a child younger than 3 years, etc.) from 1 January 2008. Also full-time students graduated from civil university with military education will be free from conscription from 1 January 2008. Politics of Russia (the Russian Federation) takes place in a framework of a federal presidential republic, whereby the President of Russia is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... For other uses, see State Duma (disambiguation). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...

As a result of draft evasion, Russian generals have complained on numerous times that the bulk of the army is made up of drug addicts, imbeciles, and ex-convicts, which in turn has led to an overall decline of the morale and function of the Russian armed services. Conscripts often face brutal hazing and bullying upon their entrance into the military, known as dedovshchina, some dying as a result. See also Bullying is the act of intentionally causing harm to others through verbal harassment, physical assault, or other more subtle methods of coercion such as manipulation. ... Dedovshchina (Russian: ) is the name given to the informal system of subjugation of new junior conscripts for the Russian armed forces, Interior Ministry, and (to a much lesser extent) FSB border guards to brutalization by the conscripts of the last year of service as well as NCOs and officers. ...

Serbia

Serbia has compulsory national service for all men aged between 19 and 35. In practice, men over 27 are seldom called up. Service is usually performed after University studies have been completed. The length of service was 9 months but has recently been reduced to 6 months (2006). There is also an alternative for conscientious objectors which lasts 9 months. Serbian nationals living outside of the country were still expected to complete national service, however, they may defer it if it will seriously impact their career in the country where they currently reside. This can be done by contacting the embassy in the country of residence (if under 27), or must be done by contacting the army directly (if over 27). Mandatory military service is expected to be abolished by 2010 giving the Serbian army a completely professional force.^[16] As of 2006, Republic of Serbia has mandatory military service of 6 months for men. ... Not to be confused with Republika Srpska. ... John T. Neufeld was a WWI conscientious objector sentenced to 15 years hard labour in the military prison at Leavenworth. ... 2010 (MMX) will be a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Kosovo does not have mandatory military service. For other uses, see Kosovo (disambiguation). ...

Singapore

In Singapore, the NS (Amendment) Act was passed on 14 March 1967, under which all able-bodied male citizens of 18 – 21 years of age were required to serve 24 months of compulsory national service in the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Police Force, or the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Upon completion of full-time NS, they undergo reservist training cycles of up to forty days a year for the next ten years. National Service (NS) is the name given to the compulsory conscription in Singapore of all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents upon reaching the age of 18. ... is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... National service is a common name for compulsory or voluntary military service programs. ... The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura, Simplified Chinese: ) comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... The Jurong Police Division Headquarters at Jurong West Avenue 5. ... The Singapore Civil Defence Force (abbreviation: SCDF; Chinese: æ–°åŠ å¡æ°‘é˜²éƒ¨é˜Ÿ; Malay: Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura) is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency. ... A member of the United States Military that spends one weekend a month and two weeks annually training to protect and defend the United States. ...

The majority of conscripts serve in the Singapore Armed Forces due to its larger manpower requirements. Almost all conscripts undergo basic military training before being deployed to the various services, the police, or Civil Defence; conscripts do not have the opportunity to choose their assignment. Conscripts, known as National Servicemen, hold leadership positions as Specialists or commissioned officers. To meet Wikipedias quality standards and appeal to a wider international audience, this article may require cleanup. ... In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Specialists are the group of ranks equivalent to non-commissioned officers in other armed forces. ... In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ...

Singapore used to have one of the longest mandatory military service periods for males, at thirty months prior to 2005.

Sweden

Since 1902 military service is mandatory in Sweden. All Swedish men between age 18 and 47 can be called to serve with the armed forces. The number of drafted have changed over time, but during the Cold war it was about 90%. Today, less than one fifth of the country's eligible 19-year-olds are actually drafted each year. Military service used to comprise between 8 to 15 months of training, but recent reforms have changed this to 11 or 15 month taking the school terms into consideration. The Swedish Armed Forces, or FÃ¶rsvarsmakten, is a Government agency responsible for the peacetime operation of the armed forces of Sweden. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

Men may choose to do unarmed service, for instance as a firefighter. Generally, unarmed service is shorter than armed. This article is about the profession. ...

Since 1980 women are allowed to serve in the armed forces. As of 2002, Sweden's government asked the army to consider mandatory military service for women. See Sweden considers mandatory military service for women. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ...

Switzerland

Switzerland has the largest militia army in the world (220,000 including reserves). Military service for Swiss men is obligatory according to the Federal Constitution, and includes 18 or 21 weeks of basic training (depending on troop category) as well as annual 3-week-refresher courses until a number of service days which increases with rank (260 days for privates) is reached. Service for women is voluntary, but identical in all respects. Conscientious objectors can choose 390 days of community service instead of military service. Medical deferments and dismissals from basic training (often on somewhat dubious grounds) have increased significantly in the last years. Therefore, only about 55% to 60% of Swiss men actually complete basic training. Lebanese Kataeb militia The term Militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary [1] citizens to provide defense, emergency, law enforcement, or paramilitary service, and those engaged in such activity, without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. ...

Civilian service is a Swiss institution, created in 1996 as an alternative to military service. ...

Taiwan (ROC)

The Republic of China has had mandatory military service for all males since 1949. Females from the outlying islands of Fuchien were also required to serve in a civil defense role, although this requirement has been dropped since the lifting of martial law. In October 1999, the mandatory service was shortened from twenty-four months to twenty-two months; from January 2004 it was shortened further to eighteen months, and from 1 January 2006 the duration has decreased to sixteen months. The ROC Defense Ministry has announced that should voluntary enlistment reach sufficient numbers, the compulsory service period for draftees will be shortened to fourteen months in 2007, and further to twelve months in 2008, if trend persists. The Republic of China (ROC) has maintained a policy of conscription for all qualified males of military age since 1949, primarily as a means to bolster the defense of Taiwan against an invasion by the Peoples Republic of China. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... Fujian Province (Tongyong Pinyin spelling; Fu-chien according to Wades-Giles and Fukien according to Postal System Pinyin; Chinese: ç¦å»ºçœ) is a province on the coast of southeastern China. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

ROC nationals with Overseas Chinese status are exempt from service. Draftees may also request alternative service, usually in community service areas, although the required service period would be longer than military service. Qualified draftees with graduate degrees in the sciences or engineering who pass officer candidate exams may also apply to fulfill their obligations in a national defense service option which involves three months of military training, followed by an officer commission in the reserves and four years working in technical jobs in the defense industry or government research institutions. Languages various Religions Predominantly Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism, traditional Chinese religions, and atheism. ...

The Ministry of Interior is responsible for administering the National Conscription Agency. Ministry of Interior site on Consciption Administration

Turkey

In Turkey, compulsory military service applies to all male citizens from twenty to forty-one years of age (with some exceptions). Those who are engaged in higher education or vocational training programs prior to their military drafting are allowed to delay service until they have completed the programs. The duration of the basic military service varies. As of July 2003, the reduced durations are as follows: fifteen months for privates (previously eighteen months), twelve months for reserve officers (previously sixteen months) and six months for short-term privates, which denotes those who have earned a university degree and not have been enlisted as reserve officers (previously eight months). // Overview In Turkey, compulsory military service applies to all male citizens from twenty to forty one years of age (with some exceptions). ...

For Turkish citizens who have lived or worked abroad of Turkey for at least three years, on condition that they pay a certain fee in foreign currencies, a basic military training of twenty-one days (previously twenty-eight days) is offered instead of the full-term military service. Also, when the General Staff assesses that the military reserve exceeds the required amount, paid military service of one-month's basic training is established by law as a stopgap measure, but has never been practised in reality.

Although women have in principle are not obliged to serve in the military, they are allowed to become military officers.

Conscientious objection of military service is illegal in Turkey and punishable with imprisonment by law. Many conscientious objectors flee abroad mainly to neighbouring countries or the European Union (as asylum seekers or guest workers). Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A foreign worker (cf expatriate), is a person who works in a country other than the one of which he or she is a citizen. ...

Ukraine

The options are either reserve officer training for two years (offered in universities as a part of a program which means not having to join the army), or one year regular service. In Ukraine, a person cannot be conscripted after he turns twenty-five. Ukrainian army has had similar problems with dedovshchina as Russian army until now, but in Ukraine the problem is becoming less severe compared with Russia, due to cuts in the conscript term (from 24 months to 18 months in the early 2000s and then to 12 months in 2004) and cuts in total conscription numbers because of switching the army into full-time professional army. Ukraine is planning to switch to a professional full-time army and abolish conscription in the next 3 to 5 years (as of 2007). Minister of Defense announced that last conscripts will be drafted at the end of 2010.^[17] Organization Ukraines military consists of Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Збройні сили України, ЗСУ, Zbroyni Syly Ukrainy) and few other independent militarized insititutions. ... Dedovshchina (Russian: ) is the name given to the informal system of subjugation of new junior conscripts for the Russian armed forces, Interior Ministry, and (to a much lesser extent) FSB border guards to brutalization by the conscripts of the last year of service as well as NCOs and officers. ... In russian, word army means armed forces in general. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Comments

There is a high correlation between nations that do not have mandatory military service and those which were once a part of the British Empire. The list, which includes Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Burma, Canada, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Oman, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Sierra Leone, South Africa, The Gambia, The United States of America and Zambia form the vast majority of states or territories without mandatory military service. Nepal, Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates are also nations without mandatory military service, were heaviliy influenced in their development by the British Empire. Liberia, the ad-hoc colony of a colony, also is without mandatory military service. Look up Ad hoc in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

References

^ Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997, via Nationmaster: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_con-military-conscription
^ The CIA World Fact book — Military service age and obligation. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html
^ J. Jih. Dual Nationality, Conscription and Death Penalty. http://www.geocities.com/jusjih/dncdp.html
^ http://sarbazyy.blogfa.com/
^ "Bulgarian military service reduced", BBC News, May 17, 2000. Retrieved 31 May 2006.
^ Law n. 772, 15 December 1972 [1] (Italian)
^ Law nr. 226, 23 August 2004 [2] (Italian)
^ Latvia: Refusing to Bear Arms 2005 revision
^ "The Islamization of Morocco", by Oliver Guitta, The Weekly Standard, October 2, 2006
^ Romania drops compulsory military service, United Press International, 23 October 2006
^ http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=799
^ Bernardes, Júlio. Military Service in Brazil declining]. USP Notícias. July 24, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
^ Based on the CIA's World FactBook
^ "Lee, Roh Pledge Political Reform", Korea Now, December 12, 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2006.
^ "Korean pacifists fight conscription", BBC News, May 5, 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2006.
^ http://www.mfa.gov.yu/Policy/Multilaterala/PZM/activities_e/110507_e.html
^ Новини Управління Прес-служби МО

The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative [1] magazine published 48 times per year. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...