January 25, 2024, 11:47 | Updated: January 25, 2024, 11:56
British military commanders said they needed a “citizen army”.
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The British War Secretary warned earlier this week that his people could be drafted into service in the event of war with Russia, but who will be exempt?
Chief of Staff Gen. Patrick Sanders said in a speech Wednesday. If Britain went to war, civilians would need training and equipment.
He proposed that the Army increase its strength by 120,000 soldiers within three years, including regular soldiers, reservists and callable veterans.
But he stressed that this is not enough to win wars “started by the military and won by civilians.”
The government has since denied any suggestion that conscription could be reintroduced in the UK.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson insisted military service would remain voluntary.
But General Patrick urged the government to start thinking about how to mobilize the nation in case of war.
Currently, conversations about a hypothetical war with Russia in the future have led to the question of who would be exempt from conscription in modern times.
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The Army chief’s comments raised questions about who would be drafted in a hypothetical modern war.
Photo: Getty
Compulsory military service was first introduced in World War I under the Military Service Act 1916 and reintroduced in World War II under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939.
In World War I, all men of fighting age between the ages of 18 and 41 were subject to conscription.
However, there are some exemptions up to the point of World War II, and these exemptions may also apply to the hypothetical events of another world war in modern times.
What occupations are exempt?
People working in key industries considered essential to the country’s operations are likely to be exempt in the event of war.
In World War II, these occupations included baking, agriculture, medicine, coal mining, engineering, and more.
In World War I, exemptions also extended to clergy, teachers, and some industrial workers.
The list of exempt occupations is likely to change to reflect modern circumstances, but it indicates the types of roles considered important to keeping the country running.
General Patrick said the Army was “too small.”
photograph:
Alamy
Which age groups are exempt?
Early in World War I, single men between the ages of 18 and 41 were drafted into the military unless they were single parents, had an exempt occupation, or were “medically unfit.”
This was later expanded to include married men.
A second conscription was introduced during World War II and lasted until 1960.
Initially, only men between the ages of 20 and 21 could be conscripted into the “militia”.
However, as the war escalated, the target group was changed to men between the ages of 18 and 41.
After the war, the National Service Act of 1948 introduced peacetime conscription, requiring men between the ages of 17 and 21 to serve in the military for 18 months.
They were also on the reserve list for four years.
During the Korean War in 1950, military service was extended to two years, but the reserve period was shortened by six months to compensate for the increased military service.
What medical conditions qualify for exemption?
The current British military does not allow people who suffer from sensory deprivation, such as problems related to hearing or vision, to join the force.
If you have neurological conditions, severe skin conditions, mental illness and cardiovascular problems, you may not be drafted.
People with bone or joint problems, such as chronic knee injuries, shoulder problems, or a history of fractures, are exempt.
General Patrick Saunders said Britain needed a “people’s army”.
Photo: PA
Will women also be conscripted?
If war broke out, women could also be drafted into the military.
Although women were not allowed to serve on the battlefield, many single women between the ages of 20 and 30 were drafted into the military during World War II.
Often they served as engineers, farmers, mechanics, air defense observers, etc.
Today, it is more likely that women will be allowed to join the battlefield, especially considering that since 2018, women have been allowed to serve in all combat roles.
What about conscientious objectors?
There were approximately 16,000 “conscientious objectors” who refused to serve in the military during World War I and 60,000 during World War II.
Those who objected had to go to court to argue their refusal to participate.
If their case is approved, they would be placed in the exempt category and offered alternative non-combatant roles.
However, many were unable to justify their opposition to enlistment and were sent to prison.
