Denmark has increased its mandatory military service period from 4 months to 11 months.
The first group of soldiers has begun their service under the new application.
1,600 young people
Number of individuals performing the extended 11-month service
Under the new system, soldiers will serve in operational duties for 6 months following their basic training.
Those turning 18, regardless of gender, will be called to Defense Day to be informed about the military process and undergo suitability assessments.
Joy Berg, a 20-year-old starting military service in a barracks in Aalborg, Denmark, said she was excitedly waiting to wear her new uniform and was ready to take on operational duties.
Berg stated that the 11-month period would provide the opportunity to know the army better and build stronger friendships.
Yes, this is already the reason for being here, but if my mother asks, no.
— Joy Berg, on whether she is ready to go to war for her country
Jeppe Plenge Trautner, an external lecturer in European security and defense policies at Aalborg University, stated that the transition means that not only individual soldiers but also military units that can be deployed to war in a short time will be trained.
Trautner expressed that it is sad the new application is being implemented due to the increasing risk of war in Northern Europe.
Updates
The new system includes women on equal terms with men for the first time in Denmark's history and staggers service into five months of basic training followed by six months of operational service. Conscripts will be deployed across 14 training centers for roles like UAV operator and radar assistant, while the annual number of conscripts is planned to rise from 5,000 to 7,500 by 2033. Additionally, unverified reports suggest the first group of 1,600 personnel consists entirely of volunteers.
The new system marks the first time women are included in mandatory military service on equal terms with men. Conscripts, serving across 14 different training centers in roles such as UAV operator or radar assistant, will undergo 5 months of basic training followed by 6 months of operational service. Additionally, Denmark plans to increase the annual number of conscripts from 5,000 to 7,500 by 2033, while unverified reports suggest the first group of 1,600 people will consist entirely of volunteers.
The new system includes women on equal terms with men for the first time in Denmark's history. Under these regulations, conscripts will undergo 5 months of basic training followed by 6 months of operational service across 14 different training centers in roles such as UAV operator and radar assistant. Additionally, Denmark plans to increase the annual number of conscripts from 5,000 to 7,500 by 2033.
