Mandatory military service duration tripled in Denmark: First group begins duty

Comprehensive changes to the mandatory military service system in Denmark have come into effect. Under the new practice, the mandatory military service period, which was previously 4 months, has been increased to 11 months. The first group under the new regulation has begun their military service.

According to reports in the Danish press, approximately 1,600 young people will perform 11 months of military service under the new system in the first phase. Following the basic training process, the soldiers will participate in the army's operational duties for 6 months.

The purpose of the regulation is reported to be not limiting soldiers to only receiving basic training, but rather creating units that are more prepared for field duties when necessary.

20-year-old Joy Berg, who began her military service at the barracks in the city of Aalborg, said she was excited to wear her new uniform and was ready to take on operational duties. When asked, "Are you ready to go to war for your country?" Berg replied, "Yes, that is the reason we are here anyway. But if my mother asks, no."

Jeppe Plenge Trautner, who works in the field of European security and defense policies at Aalborg University, stated that the new system will train not only individual soldiers but also units that can be deployed to the front lines in a short time. Trautner described the implementation of the practice due to increasing security concerns and the risk of war in Northern Europe as "sad."

In accordance with the new regulation, all young people turning 18, regardless of gender, will be invited to the "Defense Day" program, where information and suitability assessments regarding the military service process are conducted.