London – The UK Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday the launch of a pilot program designed to attract young people to military service. The initiative, set to begin in March, will offer individuals under the age of 25 the opportunity to participate in a year-long paid training program within the armed forces.
The program’s initial phase will target 150 volunteers, with plans to expand it to include over 1,000 participants, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
British Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the initiative aims to “reconnect society with the armed forces,” hailing it as “a new era in defence.”
Participants will receive training in the army, air force, or navy. The government has yet to disclose the specific compensation offered to participants.
Healey added that the experience would provide young people with the chance to acquire valuable skills that will aid them in their careers, whether they choose to remain in the military or return to civilian life after completing their training.
While conscription has been abolished in the United Kingdom since 1960, Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton emphasized on December 15th that more people should be “prepared to fight” in the face of escalating threats, “particularly from Russia.”
Several reports suggest a resurgence of efforts to reinstate mandatory conscription in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced the launch of a voluntary national service program lasting 10 months, while Germany has reintroduced a voluntary military service lasting at least six months for young adults aged 18.
