Denmark had previously announced that, starting in 2026, it would expand conscription to include women and increase the standard term of service from four to
The Danish Armed Forces have launched an expanded conscription of young people amid actions by the United States and Russia.
Hmm… Well, I have good cardio from my job as a bicycle courier, and great legs, but I’m still somewhat overweight and have no upper body strength. First draft are typically those that meet the minimum health requirements. I’ve already been tested a number of years ago and I think I fall within the B draft.
That said…
Should push come to shove and I get drafted, as far as I understand it, it’s a training course. Unless the US decides to actually attack Greenland I doubt I’ll end up getting shipped off. So I’ll probably never leave the army base.
As for what my personal opinion on the matter is… Well, if I get drafted it’ll basically be a harsh workout regime for me entirely paid for by the Danish government. At the end of it I’ll be a lot fitter than I’m right now, and I won’t be broke. And if I do get shipped off, it would be in defense against Imperialism, so I can’t really complain.
Well… Maybe I’ll complain a little. I’ll probably be terrified. I’m only human, after all.
The Danish government pays for the military and the military pays the soldiers. It’s a job, after all, draft or no draft. And since it’s a job it should come with all the regular Danish perks of having a job.
I’m not sure if the military have their own unions (because I’ve never looked into it), but if they do I can look at their overenskomst (union agreement of sorts) to see what their minimum wage is and how vacation days are handled.
Oh, uh, yeah, so, minimum wage works a little different in Denmark. We don’t actually have a minimum wage, and wages aren’t set in laws. Instead, typically, a worker representative of a particular industry sector and a corporate representative of the same sector sit down every few years to hash out the next few years.
Yes but if you’re working what happens to your job and salary? I know that there are voluntary programs in Poland you can apply to and the employer has to give you holiday for that time (it’s weeks, not months). Not sure if you’re getting your full salary though.
The current draft system summons all 18 year olds for a fitness and intelligence test, concluding with a lottery that decides whether you’re drafted or not. Not sure how it would work for conscripting beyond the current 18 year olds.
You then apply to different parts of the service - most are regular conscripts serving 11 months, but I believe you can also apply for emergency services for 6 months or the Royal Guard for 12 months.
You will spend your days in military training and other duties like protecting Greenland or guarding the Royal Castle if part of the Royal Guard, so hard work rather than holiday I’d say.
Salary is about 1200 euro before tax, plus per diem for food and free housing and public transport. Paid by whatever branch you’re part of, i.e. paid by the state.
I meant the pay, not amount of work. So you’re paid fixed 1200 euro no matter your salary? If someone is making, let’s say, 3000€ per month, over 11 months of service they would be losing a lot of money. Or you can’t be drafted if you’re employed full time?
Only 18 year olds are being conscripted, it’s not really like a wartime conscription where any eligible citizen can be called to serve, but rather obligatory military service where you serve a fixed amount when you turn 18. This is a common model across the world.
This is indeed no matter what you earn, but 18 year olds usually don’t have major incomes or financial responsibilities.
Ok, I get it. It was similar in Poland but you would get a deferral if you got accepted to a university. So some people would do normal service at 18 and some people would go to a lot lighter course (less bullying) when they finished university and got a higher rank when they left. I was lucky and this was abandoned right before I got my degree.
I was going to say that 1600 soldiers is just a publicity stunt but Danish army has only 21k of active personnel. Sounds like a reasonable plan.
We’re not a particularly large country.
What do you think about it? What would you do if you’re drafted?
Hmm… Well, I have good cardio from my job as a bicycle courier, and great legs, but I’m still somewhat overweight and have no upper body strength. First draft are typically those that meet the minimum health requirements. I’ve already been tested a number of years ago and I think I fall within the B draft.
That said…
Should push come to shove and I get drafted, as far as I understand it, it’s a training course. Unless the US decides to actually attack Greenland I doubt I’ll end up getting shipped off. So I’ll probably never leave the army base.
As for what my personal opinion on the matter is… Well, if I get drafted it’ll basically be a harsh workout regime for me entirely paid for by the Danish government. At the end of it I’ll be a lot fitter than I’m right now, and I won’t be broke. And if I do get shipped off, it would be in defense against Imperialism, so I can’t really complain.
Well… Maybe I’ll complain a little. I’ll probably be terrified. I’m only human, after all.
Very reasonable approach :) Out of curiosity, who pays you and how much while you’re drafted? Is it like paid holiday?
The Danish government pays for the military and the military pays the soldiers. It’s a job, after all, draft or no draft. And since it’s a job it should come with all the regular Danish perks of having a job.
I’m not sure if the military have their own unions (because I’ve never looked into it), but if they do I can look at their overenskomst (union agreement of sorts) to see what their minimum wage is and how vacation days are handled.
Oh, uh, yeah, so, minimum wage works a little different in Denmark. We don’t actually have a minimum wage, and wages aren’t set in laws. Instead, typically, a worker representative of a particular industry sector and a corporate representative of the same sector sit down every few years to hash out the next few years.
Yes but if you’re working what happens to your job and salary? I know that there are voluntary programs in Poland you can apply to and the employer has to give you holiday for that time (it’s weeks, not months). Not sure if you’re getting your full salary though.
The current draft system summons all 18 year olds for a fitness and intelligence test, concluding with a lottery that decides whether you’re drafted or not. Not sure how it would work for conscripting beyond the current 18 year olds.
You then apply to different parts of the service - most are regular conscripts serving 11 months, but I believe you can also apply for emergency services for 6 months or the Royal Guard for 12 months.
You will spend your days in military training and other duties like protecting Greenland or guarding the Royal Castle if part of the Royal Guard, so hard work rather than holiday I’d say.
Salary is about 1200 euro before tax, plus per diem for food and free housing and public transport. Paid by whatever branch you’re part of, i.e. paid by the state.
I meant the pay, not amount of work. So you’re paid fixed 1200 euro no matter your salary? If someone is making, let’s say, 3000€ per month, over 11 months of service they would be losing a lot of money. Or you can’t be drafted if you’re employed full time?
Only 18 year olds are being conscripted, it’s not really like a wartime conscription where any eligible citizen can be called to serve, but rather obligatory military service where you serve a fixed amount when you turn 18. This is a common model across the world.
This is indeed no matter what you earn, but 18 year olds usually don’t have major incomes or financial responsibilities.
Ok, I get it. It was similar in Poland but you would get a deferral if you got accepted to a university. So some people would do normal service at 18 and some people would go to a lot lighter course (less bullying) when they finished university and got a higher rank when they left. I was lucky and this was abandoned right before I got my degree.