Sweden Doesn't Need Operation Yellow Elephant

Many European democracies have mandatory national service for all young people, including military conscription of men. [Alternative civilian service is also possible in Sweden; women must volunteer for military service.] Here's what happened when Sweden told some would-be recruits, "Sorry, no thanks."

Conscripts protest in bid to join Army

Would-be conscripts to the Swedish army have inundated the National Service Administration with protests after they were told that no regiment could take them. Now, around a hundred conscripts have had their protests rewarded with a place in the army.

The 614 young men and women were told in July that, contrary to expectations, they would no longer be called up to serve from January 2008. They were told by military chiefs that there were too few officers to command them. They were told that they could do another form of national service or skip it entirely.

Six out of ten of those who were turned down contacted the National Service Administration, demanding to be allowed to serve.

"First, I was upset. What was I going to do for a year," asked one 19-year-old man who spoke to Svenska Dagbladet.

"I hadn't applied for university. I called wrote letters and sent emails. Now I've been told I can do national service," he said. [ . . . ]

OK, College and Young Republicans, isn't it your turn to Man Up!?

Hat tip to News of the Weird. Hat tip also to NATO's KFOR.