The%20compulsory%20military%20service%20in%20Denmark

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The compulsory military service in Denmark
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Foundation of the Compulsory Military Service in
Denmark

• The constitution Article 81 - National Service
  Act
• Defence Agreements between (a majority) the
  political parties in parliament and the
  government
• Regular meetings between the Minister of Defence
  and those political parties who have signed the
  Defence Agreement
• All men must serve ? Conscientious objectors

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New focus

• Defence Agreement for 2005 2009 Major changes
  to the compulsory military service
• Changing focus from territorial defence to
  international engagement
• In line with the Danish security policy
• The Balkans, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan,
  Operation Ocean Shield.
• Since 1992 More than 26,000 soldiers have been
  serving in international missions. Right now
  approximately 750 soldiers are in Helmand,
  Afghanistan.

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Compulsory military service the new system

• Four months of basic training
• Previous conscripts served 8 12 months
• Exceptions specific units at
• Royal Life Guard Rgt, Royal Guards Hussars Rgt
• HMS Dannebrog
• Danish Emergency Management Agency
• Right to voluntary service for women (1995)
• Defence Day
• The armed forces and The Danish Emergency Agency
• About 30,000 men are ordered to meet at Defence
  Day
• About 30,000 women are invited
• Draft numbers
• 2009 91 per cent volunteers 9 per cent drafted
• 2010 More than 93 per cent volunteers.

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Compulsory military service in DenmarkWhat
happens after Basic Training ?
Territorial Defence Register (3 yrs.)
Professional soldiers
Reserve Forces
International mission6 months
lt 80 pc
gt 20 pc
Basic Training - conscript with 4 (8, 9 or 12)
months
Reaction Force Training (Contract 8 months)
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Pros and cons Main lessons learned

• The right number of conscripts for a shorter
  period of time
• A broad basis of recruitment
• Cost effective
• Popular anchoring
• A fair salary
• Training targeted for international operations

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Examination of the current compulsory military
service system

• Adopted in the 2010 2014 Defence Agreement
• The compulsory system has always been a subject
  of political discussions.
• The current system marked the change from
  territorial defence to an international focus.
• The examination will involve assessments of the
  social and economic side-effects.
• Other focus areas
• Popular anchoring
• Representative segment of the population
• Securing a broad basis of recruitment
• Cost-effectiveness

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• Questions?

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Examination Four models

• The current system continues on the whole
• Women will be obliged to attend the Defence
  Day/will be called up for service as conscripts
• Right to voluntary service for women, like it is
  today
• Abolishment of the military service system.
  Instead only employment on a contractual basis.