Should National Service be mandatory ?

[roubaixtuesday]

Am sure if you sign up to the to a related engineering role they will teach you from scratch this skill. Don’t know if it’s still the case..

The army are going to replicate the capacity of every engineering course in the country?

Are you sure you've thought this through?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

The army are going to replicate the capacity of every engineering course in the country?

Are you sure you've thought this through?

Let’s face it, if NS was reintroduced, the government would privatise as much of it as possible.

 

[oldius]

Can’t disagree with your point but you must surely see Russia has been testing the resolve of European Countries lately and that many acclaimed military and civilian experts are all suggesting escalation is inevitable, irrespective of how the media or Governments portray this.

Of course.
The outlier is US/Trump, who seems to be supporting the occupying forces of Russia and Israel.
We join Europe in supporting action against either and, in his utterly unhinged way, he calls for US action, with Russia, against Europe, positioning them as the aggressor. Dangerous times indeed.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

National service does not have to be military. For instance it could be with the NHS or Civil Service or councils

I'll be honest, if I'm having an operation, the last thing I'd want to see is some work experience kid who doesn't want to be there helping out.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Let’s face it, if NS was reintroduced, the government would privatise as much of it as possible.

Yeah, but it won't be reintroduced.

It's a ridiculous idea, and the fact it's even under discussion (and was tory policy at the last election, albeit completely undefined) shows how we're declining into a morass of nostalgia as a country, rather than looking forward.

 

[BlueRockape]

An insulting post complaining about complaining.

From someone who likes to lecture others about manners.

You would do well to learn from the younger generation. They certainly know how to behave much better than you do.

Insulting ?
Oh do fuck off
After accusing me of being a scrounger and wrecking the country .

 

[waspish]

The army are going to replicate the capacity of every engineering course in the country?

Are you sure you've thought this through?

That’s a good point so you’re right I didn’t think it fully through.

So as you do asked Ai and your right!

No, the **British Army** (often called the UK Army) does not teach you **every type of engineering** when you sign up. Engineering training is focused on specific, military-relevant specializations rather than a broad or comprehensive coverage of all engineering disciplines (like aerospace, chemical, biomedical, software, or nuclear engineering in a civilian university sense).

### Main Engineering Branches
The Army has two primary corps for engineering roles:

1. **Corps of Royal Engineers (RE or "Sappers")** — Focuses on **combat and military construction engineering**, such as building bridges, demolitions, mine clearance, water supply, infrastructure (bases, runways), and field fortifications. Soldiers ("Sappers") train in a specific **trade** (specialization) at the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME). Examples include:
- Plumbing and heating
- Electrical fitting
- Bricklaying and plastering
- Carpentry and joinery
- Fabrication and welding
- Plant operating (heavy machinery like bulldozers)
- Armoured engineering (operating specialist vehicles)
- Draughting or surveying

You apply to a trade group and get assigned a specific role—training is tailored to that one area, often leading to civilian-recognized qualifications (e.g., NVQs).

2. **Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME)** — Focuses on **maintenance, repair, and recovery** of Army equipment (vehicles, weapons, electronics, aircraft systems). Training at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering covers trades like:
- Vehicle mechanics
- Electronics technicians
- Armourers (weapons)
- Aircraft technicians
- Recovery mechanics

Again, you specialize in one area and gain practical, hands-on skills with qualifications transferable to civilian jobs.

### How Training Works
- Everyone starts with basic soldier training.
- Then, if you join an engineering role, you get specialized Phase 2/3 training in your chosen (or assigned) trade.
- It's **not general**—you become an expert in a particular part of military engineering, not all types.
- Some advanced roles (e.g., officers) can lead to higher qualifications like degrees or chartered engineer status, but still focused on military applications.

If you're interested in engineering, the Army offers excellent practical training and qualifications in specific fields (great for civilian careers later), but it's targeted at what the Army needs—not "every type." Check the official Army jobs site (army.mod.uk) for current roles and speak to a recruiter for the best fit.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

In Norway, that’s exactly what the conscientious objectors to the military National Service do. They do about 18 months in civilian roles working where numbers are needed in the country.

Even in military National Service, it’s not running round fields shooting at cardboard cutouts and being made to run up Currahee twice a day at dusk and dawn. They can start on education pathways, leadership pathways, learn trades…

Where there are skills shortages in employment sectors in a country, NS can target training people in that sector. There’s a skills shortage in tech in Britain, especially Manchester, for example, so you’d target that.

But you could do that by simply increasing apprenticeship schemes, and yet it doesn't happen. The one opinion that is pretty consistent with people across the political spectrum is that we would like to see more apprenticeships, and yet every year there are around 700,000 people in apprenticeships compared to 2.9 million in universities. And even within that 700,000, how many are actually learning anything, and how many are thinly-veiled cheap labour?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Insulting ?
Oh do fuck off
After accusing me of being a scrounger and wrecking the country .

No one called you a scrounger. You're making that up so you can play the victim. I believe that's known as being a snowflake

You're very keen on manners for others, but very quick to show very poor manners yourself.

You're very keen to insult entire generations, yet take huge confected outrage at any discussion of your own generation.

You're guilty of all the insults you throw at youth. I suggest you do unpaid community service for two years, it might improve your behaviour.

 

[mosssideblue]

Of course.
The outlier is US/Trump, who seems to be supporting the occupying forces of Russia and Israel.
We join Europe in supporting action against either and, in his utterly unhinged way, he calls for US action, with Russia, against Europe, positioning them as the aggressor. Dangerous times indeed.

You beat me to it regarding the loose cannon in the Whitehouse. It didn’t help the orange buffoon telling Putin to fill his boots against any NATO country not paying its way as he wouldn’t intervene. Some leadership that

 

[mosssideblue]

Yeah, but it won't be reintroduced.

It's a ridiculous idea, and the fact it's even under discussion (and was tory policy at the last election, albeit completely undefined) shows how we're declining into a morass of nostalgia as a country, rather than looking forward.

Do you feel the UK is a safe country at the moment

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Do you feel the UK is a safe country at the moment

Depends what you mean, can you be more specific?

I see no prospect whatever that taking young people out of society for two years will make it safer in any sense.

 

[BlueRockape]

But you could do that by simply increasing apprenticeship schemes, and yet it doesn't happen. The one opinion that is pretty consistent with people across the political spectrum is that we would like to see more apprenticeships, and yet every year there are around 700,000 people in apprenticeships compared to 2.9 million in universities. And even within that 700,000, how many are actually learning anything, and how many are thinly-veiled cheap labour?

My nephew applied for Many apprenticeships while stacking shelves at asda (nowt wrong with that) and was excepted by the RAF.
He served twelve years and served all over the world.
He left the RAF three years ago with a lump sum and many qualifications some that he used to set up his own engineering company is now on the way to his making his first million .
The armed forces has many benefits for someone who wants to better themselves not just cannon fodder

 

[The Future’s Blue!]

For so many reasons, this will not happen.

 

[mosssideblue]

Depends what you mean, can you be more specific?

I see no prospect whatever that taking young people out of society for two years will make it safer in any sense.

For decades we have lived our lives in the UK in relative peace, with the odd exceptions from terrorist cells, nutters and Putin deciding he likes poison.

Therefore, I think to the normal layman, Britain could be considered a safe haven to live.

Of late though, and through our stance on supporting Ukraine with equipment, training, personnel and sanctions, Putin has openly stated the UK as an enemy.

This year alone, Putin has tested the resolve on NATO with drones flying over NATO countries and more close to home, Rusky ships and Submarines operating over our undersea infrastructure and through the channel.

If, you don’t follow the news or take much interest in politics then you could be excused for thinking the UK is safe.

Simply asking what is your view.

Personally, I don’t think as a country we are safe, but most individuals will think we are.

 

[mosssideblue]

My nephew applied for Many apprenticeships while stacking shelves at asda (nowt wrong with that) and was excepted by the RAF.
He served twelve years and served all over the world.
He left the RAF three years ago with a lump sum and many qualifications some that he used to set up his own engineering company is now on the way to his making his first million .
The armed forces has many benefits for someone who wants to better themselves not just cannon fodder

Absolutely the forces give you excellent training, qualifications and transferable skills on leaving ( as well as good remuneration)

 

[BlueRockape]

No one called you a scrounger. You're making that up so you can play the victim. I believe that's known as being a snowflake

You're very keen on manners for others, but very quick to show very poor manners yourself.

You're very keen to insult entire generations, yet take huge confected outrage at any discussion of your own generation.

You're guilty of all the insults you throw at youth. I suggest you do unpaid community service for two years, it might improve your behaviour.

Not all youth just a jumped up few who believe the world owes them a living and the older generation are steeling from them.
When infact they owe us for paying for the building of hospitals schools collages universities that you were probably born and educated in.
The problem is they didn't teach you humility manners or respect for your elders.
Your parents must be proud.
Anymore of this snowflake stuff and community service will give you a cip around the ear young man woman

 

[Fiftyyearsandcounting]

I'll be honest, if I'm having an operation, the last thing I'd want to see is some work experience kid who doesn't want to be there helping out.

My late father-in-law was a full time RSM who saw action in the middle-east. Regarding national service, he said the last thing he would want would be to be in a situation, dependent for his life on a moaning, stroppy teenager.

 

[BlueRockape]

Absolutely the forces give you excellent training, qualifications and transferable skills on leaving ( as well as good remuneration)

I got fuckall money but I did get two shit knees a bad back and PTSD ; )

 

[roubaixtuesday]

For decades we have lived our lives in the UK in relative peace, with the odd exceptions from terrorist cells, nutters and Putin deciding he likes poison.

Therefore, I think to the normal layman, Britain could be considered a safe haven to live.

Of late though, and through our stance on supporting Ukraine with equipment, training, personnel and sanctions, Putin has openly stated the UK as an enemy.

This year alone, Putin has tested the resolve on NATO with drones flying over NATO countries and more close to home, Rusky ships and Submarines operating over our undersea infrastructure and through the channel.

If, you don’t follow the news or take much interest in politics then you could be excused for thinking the UK is safe.

Simply asking what is your view.

Personally, I don’t think as a country we are safe, but most individuals will think we are.

Thanks, just wanted to understand what you meant.

I don't think the UK itself is unsafe in the sense of being in danger of invasion.

But I do think our way of life is under threat; a Russian victory in Ukraine combined with US stated policy to overthrow our government could well result in very grim outcomes. For instance, infrastructure being attacked, trade being curtailed and an autocratic government installed.