KOREAS

South Korea and North Korea have technically been at war for the past 72 years. The hostility has resulted in both countries bolstering their military. North Korea pursues a military-first policy also known as ‘Songun,’ under which all resources are first prioritised for the military. Typically, school graduates are made to join the service at the age of 17-18. In 2003, military service was reduced to 10 years from 13 for men, and seven from 10 for women. Military service was earlier voluntary for women but was reportedly made mandatory in 2015.

In the neighbouring South Korea, men are supposed to serve either in army (21 months), navy (23 months), or air force (24 months). Police force, coast guard and fire service are also an alternative. Successful sportsmen, such as those who win gold at Olympics or Asian.

RUSSIA

Russia’s harsh reality of conscription dates back to the Soviet era. The Russian military is most infamous for senior soldiers exploiting (often involving physical harm) conscripted soldiers, also known as hazing. But what’s worse is Russia has repeatedly used ill-trained conscripted soldiers in military conflicts, as evident in the ongoing war with Ukraine, and also during the war with Chechnya.

Under the Russian law, military service for a period of 12 months is compulsory for able-bodied men aged 18 to 27 in Russia. However, the Russian constitution allows to opt for a non-military form of national service if the man’s “convictions or religious beliefs contradict military service”. Those who avoid getting drafted can face fine or even imprisonment. There have been recent reportsthat many Russians aged 18 to 27 are fleeing the country to avoid getting conscripted and sent to the war in Ukraine.

ISRAEL

The 1949 Israeli Security Service Law made military service compulsory for all Israelis who turn 18 except for the ultra-Orthodox and Arab Israelis. Those of Jewish, Druze or Circassian origin must serve in the Israeli Defence Forces. The minimum length of military service is two years and eight months for men, and two years for women.

Israeli Arabs, religious women, married individuals, and those deemed unfit medically or mentally are exempt from compulsory military service. A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute late last year had found nearly half (47%) of Jewish Israelis support ending mandatory conscription and turning the Israel Defense Forces into a volunteer, professional military.

BRAZIL

Military service is compulsory for every male Brazilian citizen, according to the Article 143 of the Federal Republic of Brazil’s constitution. They have to serve in the military for a minimum of 12 months, but may choose to remain as enlisted personnel for until 8 years. The service period is between 10 to 12 months.

Typically, the recruitment happens at the age of 18 years. Refusal to enlist is believed to result in suspension of political rights, including the right to vote or run for electoral mandates. There are also impediments while applying for public office. Women are exempted from compulsory military service

IRAN

According to Iran’s constitution, all men over 18 years old must serve in the military anywhere between 18 to 24 months. Conscription does not apply to women in Iran. But there are exemptions that can be made on health grounds. Also, male child who is over the age of 18 and with a father over the age of 60 is believed to get an exemption from getting drafted.

Those who don’t have a reason to seek exemption and are unwilling to join the military can face dire consequences, which involves losing most of their civil rights, including becoming ineligible for government jobs and a ban on leaving the country. Earlier in the year, Iran had proposed to reinstitute a buy-out scheme, which would allow those over 35 years old to avoid getting drafted by paying about $10,000. However, the proposal was dropped after widespread outrage it would only benefit the rich.

TURKEY

In 2019, Turkish parliament passed a law which reduced the length of compulsory military service from 12 months to six months. However, anyone who wish to extend their service for six more months are allowed to do so for a fixed wage. There’s also an option for conscripts to undergo one-month military training, and be exempted from the rest of the five months of service by paying a little over $5,000. As a rule, compulsory military service applies to all male citizens from 20 to 41 years of age. Those pursuing higher education or vocational training are allowed to delay service until they have completed their studies. Turkish citizen living abroad are exempted from compulsory military service by paying a certain fee.

CUBA

Military service is compulsory in Cuba for men for a period of two years between the ages of 17 and 28. For women, active military service is voluntary and they can join as professional soldiers or as members of the Women’s Voluntary Military Service for a two-year service period. Male citizens are obliged to officially register for military service when they turn 16 years of age.

The recruitment process starts at secondary school level with teenagers getting inscribed in their municipalities as pre-recruits under the military committee of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR). The pre-recruits can also be asked to work with the Ministry of Interior (police) or the Youth Army of Work, where instead of military activity they have to do agricultural work or any other productive activity the government decides. Those who have completed the general military service are considered to be part of the Reserves in the military until the age of 45 who can be called upon when required. Those who evade military service can face imprisonment or a fine as punishment.

SWITZERLAND

Military service is compulsory for men – starting at the age of 20 – and voluntary for women in Switzerland. The basic military service lasts 21 weeks, but additional training programmes need to be attended through adulthood. When combined, the total service period is a little less than a year.

In 2013, Switzerland held a referendum which aimed to abolish conscription, but it failed with over 73% of the electorate putting their vote in favour of conscription of men. This was the third time the country had held such a referendum. But now, the discourse has changed to bolstering the military. In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the country is now mulling making military service compulsory for women too by 2024.

ERITREA

The northeast African country of Eritrea is infamous for its recent history of conscription. According to the Human Rights Watch, many Eritreans have spent their entire working lives at the service of the government in either a military or civilian capacity. Since 2003, the government has forced both boys and girls to undergo military training before they complete secondary school. Many such students end up being conscripted directly from secondary school.

Even though Eritrean law limits national service to 18 months, the service often goes on for an indefinite period. As a result, many 18- to 24-year-olds flee the country to escape life in the military. The initial pretext for conscription the was the war with bordering Ethiopia, which ended in 2000. But despite the signing of apeace agreement with Ethiopia in July 2018, the government has not changed its policy.

SWEDEN

In 2017, Sweden decided to reintroduce military conscription amid Russia’s military drills in the region which has now escalated to full blown war with Ukraine. Russia’s annexation of Crimea and increased military activity in the region were cited as the reasons for bringing back conscription. The conscripts are expected to serve a period of nine to 12 months.

Unlike previously when only men were conscripted, compulsory military service is now applicable to both men and women. Sweden had suspended the conscription system in favour of a recruitment system on voluntary terms in 2010.

This is not an exhaustive list; there are other nations too with compulsory military service.