World War 3 is currently trending on Twitter, as millions of people fear the worst after a US drone strike killed Irans top general. The prospect of all-out war in the 21st century comes with some terrifying implications, among them the military draft.<\/p>\n
The military draft, otherwise known as conscription, is an age-old practice of compulsory enlistment into a countrys military.<\/p>\n
The draft originates in antiquity and sees people bound to serve in the military unless they have extenuating circumstances.<\/p>\n
Draft age varies, but traditionally starts at 18, and few countries still make use of the practice.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:UN ambassador warns Soleimani killing is tantamount to declaring WAR'<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Many people around the world may currently fear the prospect of conscription if a third world war breaks out, however, most need not worry.<\/p>\n
The military draft, while once popular in the first two world wars and other military campaigns namely the Vietnam and Korean wars has been abandoned by many countries.<\/p>\n
Others, however, have chosen to hold on to the tradition.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Thankfully for those in the UK, the military draft is no longer in use.<\/p>\n
The UK implemented conscription during two distinct periods when World War I and World War II broke out.<\/p>\n
UK men aged 18 to 40 were required to enlist during World War I between 1916 and 1920, in what was known as Military Service.<\/p>\n
Conscription came around once again in 1939 when the rise of the Third Reich threatened Europe and was in effect from 1939 to 1960 as National Service.<\/p>\n
DON'T MISSFrance and Germany under fire as Mike Pompeo laments lack of support- INSIGHTWorld War 3: Is World War 3 happening? Has WW3 been declared?- EXPLAINERHow Trump did not know who General Soleimani was before being elected- EXPLAINER<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
While there is no forced conscription currently active in the UK, Parliament could pass a law reestablishing it during a time of national crisis.<\/p>\n
The same goes for the US, which abandoned the draft in 1973.<\/p>\n
However, while the US abolished the draft after the Vietnam War, its remnants became the Selective Service System.<\/p>\n
The system requires all men to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday and lists all those who would be potentially subject to the draft.<\/p>\n
If the US Congress one day approved a bill which reestablishes forced conscription, the Selective Service System lists who is available.<\/p>\n
Selective Service is expected to deliver the first draftees within 193 days of a national crisis.<\/p>\n
Other countries never disposed of the military draft, among them the US feared opponents Iran and their strategic ally Russia.<\/p>\n
Austria, Greece and a selection of other European countries also make use of the practice.<\/p>\n
Concerns about the draft hit the Selective Service System particularly hard, as the organisation noted its website crashed this weekend.<\/p>\n
Speaking via Twitter, the service revealed it was experiencing \"unusually high traffic volumes\" due to the spread of \"misinformation\".<\/p>\n
The service said: \"Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high traffic volumes at this time.<\/p>\n
\"If you are attempting to register or verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue. We appreciate your patience.\"<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read the original here: <\/p>\n
World War 3: What is the military draft age? Can people be drafted for war in the UK? - Express.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" World War 3 is currently trending on Twitter, as millions of people fear the worst after a US drone strike killed Irans top general. The prospect of all-out war in the 21st century comes with some terrifying implications, among them the military draft. Continue reading