It’s a way of preparing young people for society, and reducing high youth unemployment
Compulsory Military Service should be seen more as a a process of development and preparation for society – not time ‘wasted in the Armed Forces’,” Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of Staff of Portugal’s Armed Forces, has told Diário de Notícias, clarifying his position in favor of reintroducing what ceased to exist in Portugal precisely two decades ago.
Although the incoming government (AD) and PS Socialists have defended measures to increase recruitment and the number of military personnel, none of the parties in parliament are in favour of returning to the days of compulsory military service.
Military top brass, however, see the situation differently.
“It’s not about compulsory service on the old Colonial War model (…) There is a war of aggression being waged by the Russian Federation, which threatens us. We have to be more imaginative, as a result of two trends that are getting worse”, Gouveia e Melo explains.
One of these trends is the “real conventional war campaign in Europe, where the number of soldiers is crucial”. Another, which has to do with the problems of younger generations, “is a youth alienated from obligations to its State and territory, and which has 23% unemployment between the ages of 16 and 24”.
Any return to compulsory military service “must take both realities into account”.
But how can it be ‘marketed’? Gouveia e Melo believes by making military service a phase in young people’s lives that is useful for their qualifications and future prospects.
“The Navy is already taking this path, preparing processes that allow young people to do their military training and become qualified at the same time, for example, by being able to do their Master’s thesis.
“In this process we attract young graduates and pay for their Master’s degrees in technical areas that interest us, and they join our ranks as officers and can leave after three years, already with their degree. Home, food, clean clothes and a salary of €1,300 net while they do their Master’s degree. Contributing to our knowledge as well,” he summarised.
Referring to the Russian army’s offensive which, ‘for the time being, has involved the invasion of a large part of Ukraine’, he said: “I have one certainty: if the conflict continues and spreads, there will be no miraculous solutions other than capitulation. That’s why deterrence is important. The preparation of societies for defence is, in itself, a great deterrent.”
However, he “fears” Portugal is a long way from grasping this. “There is a real danger that Western societies will become complacent, unwilling. I hope Vladimir Putin doesn’t believe that, otherwise he’ll really advance.”
Henrique Gouveia e Melo’s position has been supported by the Army Chief of Staff, General Eduardo Ferrão.
Ferrão told Expresso recently that bringing back military services would not be enough to solve the shortage of personnel, but he believes “it is justified” from “various perspectives”.
He also referred to “passing through the ranks (being) equivalent to attending a school of citizenship”.
In February also, a poll conducted by think tank SEDES showed that 47% of those questioned believe there should be a return of military service/ obligatory citizenship service for Portugal’s younger generations.
Source material: Diário de Notícias
