Pending any logistical challenges, Serbia and Croatia plan to reinstate conscription in 2025. The decisions by Croatia and Serbia to reintroduce mandatory military service next year reflect interior positioning in a broader geopolitical context, at the expense of the lives and careers of young men.
The planet is witnessing the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, now entering its 3rd year, while global events propose a shift in the balance of power alternatively than an escalation into a widespread global conflict. A modern military, ready to respond to any challenges, is simply a key component in sending clear signals of military readiness and strategical determination. In this sense, Croatia and Serbia are aiming to strengthen their defence capacities. In Croatia, military service lasts 2 months, while in Serbia it is set to last 75 days.
Croatia and Serbia have late resolved to reintroduce mandatory military service for men aged between 18 and 27 (Croatia) or 29 (Serbia). This demographic frequently includes individuals with established careers and families. The policy will so wreak untold havoc, disrupting their individual and professional lives. In Croatia, those called up for service will receive compensation of around 900 euros per month. specified a sum is wildly inadequate for people with crucial financial responsibilities, specified as rent or household expenses. It is unclear what will happen to those with full-time jobs, private companies, or people working as freelancers. The decision to enforce military service for this demographic has sparked debate over its practicality and financial fairness.
Some of those who might be called into the military have families, children or partners who depend on their income and regular presence. Being distant for 2 to 3 months for military service can place a crucial strain on their families, disrupting routines, creating childcare challenges, and possibly leading to financial hardship. The emotional and financial toll on the household will be profound, peculiarly for those who are the breadwinners.
It seems entrepreneurs and freelancers will bear the brunt of this situation. It is well known that both groups trust on stableness and consistency to keep their businesses, hold clients, and supply for themselves and their families. Mandatory military service would importantly disrupt their workflow, likely resulting in missed deadlines or the failure of clients, leading to financial instability. This group of people typically does not have the safety net or benefits of paid leave, making the disruption even more severe.
Additionally, individuals employed full time in the private sector may besides face crucial challenges. It is inactive unclear how their absence from work will be handled and whether they will proceed to receive their regular wage during their time away. Although the Croatian Ministry of Defence states that individuals will be protected from dismissal during their absence, no concrete steps have been taken to confirm this.
The failure of workers for 2 months would be an extraordinary cost for large abroad companies. This uncertainty has raised concerns about how these individuals will sustain themselves and their families during and after the mandatory military training period, as the promised compensation is insufficient to keep their standard of living. Similarly, startup owners are either their company’s sole worker or lead very tiny teams. Their absence for 2 months or more will have a crucial impact.
In competitive markets, businesses last by continually progressing, whether through regular product launches, timely task completions, or constant innovation. Mandatory military service may force business owners to pause their activities, giving competitors a chance to take over part of their client base and marketplace position. Re-entering the business planet after an extended absence requires additional resources, and regaining any lost marketplace share can be highly challenging.
In an age erstwhile cyber capabilities and technological advancements are central to modern warfare, the conventional model of mandatory military service may no longer be the most effective strategy anyway. Even if it were, it is nearly impossible to train anyone in just 2 months, or 75 days, to meaningfully participate in any military operations. Military service will not instil “discipline” or teach men independency either. 2 months in the military will not fundamentally change a individual or solve issues likely rooted in a deficiency of parental care during childhood.
While the reinstatement of mandatory military service in Serbia and Croatia may be driven by the desire to strengthen national defence and foster discipline among young men, the broader impact on individuals, peculiarly entrepreneurs, freelancers, and those with established families, cannot be overlooked. The disruption to careers, businesses and household life, combined with the inadequate compensation offered, raises serious concerns about the fairness and practicality of this policy. In an era erstwhile warfare increasingly relies on technology and specialized skills, the conventional model of conscription seems outdated and inefficient.
Tea Kljajić is an activist, author and policy commentator from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is simply a Writing Fellow with Young Voices Europe, a Regional Coordinator with Students for Liberty, and president of the Ladies of Liberty Alliance Chapter in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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