Foreign media: UK Ministry of Defence plans to launch paid training programs to attract young people to join the military

Reference News Network, December 28 report, according to AFP, December 27 report, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on December 27 that it will launch a program in March next year allowing young people under the age of 25 to receive paid training for one year. This move aims to attract more young people to join the military.

The pilot project initially will have 150 participants, and will be expanded to 1,000 people in the future. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said in the statement that the project aims to "increase the willingness to integrate society and the military."

Since 1960, the conscription system in the UK has been abolished. On December 5, the Chief of the Defence Staff of the UK, Richard Nott, stated that "more people need to be ready to go to war," as various threats, including Russia, are continuously increasing. Nott emphasized: "A new era of defense has arrived."

According to the new pilot project, young people will receive training in the army, navy, and air force. The UK government did not clearly specify the remuneration for the trainees. Nott only stated that the project would "allow British youth to discover their abilities and accept the incredible training provided by the military."

The Ministry of Defence's announcement stated that the skills obtained through the training can help trainees "succeed in both military and daily life." After the training, trainees can choose whether to join the military. The background of this project is that many countries in Europe are frequently discussing conscription issues.

At the end of November this year, French President Macron announced the reintroduction of the "national conscription" system for eligible youths, which is to respond to the Russian threat and the increasing risk of conflicts, thus "meeting the needs of the military." Germany has also begun reintroducing a mechanism for citizens aged 18 to voluntarily serve for at least six months. (Translated by Lu Longjun)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7588753805324419630/

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