Conscription in Brunant

Brunant had conscription for all physical fit men and later men and women over 18 in the Brunanter Armed Forces, introduced in 1915 and formally abolished in 1988. The Law on Conscription of 1915 (with amendments in 1940, 1952 and 1980) regulated the conscription of able-bodied men on reaching 18 years of age.

Conscription in Brunant was a one-year term from 1915 until 1952, then reduced to six months until abolishment in 1988.

Conscription in World War I
When Brunant declared war on Germany in February 1915, a limited three-month conscription was introduced, until legislation in October 1915 set a term of one year for conscripts, but after the significant loss of troops throughout the course of the war, conscripts were being kept beyond their year of service by 1917. Conscription was suspended for a time starting October 1918, but after 1920 would be permanently maintained.

Conscription in World War II
After the Crisis of 1933 died over, the government of Augustus Van der Ecke significantly reduced the number of new conscripts in order to quell any chance of military insubordination as happened in the crisis. With breaking out in Europe, 1940 saw the law amended to call soldiers up at a moment's notice. Mobilization was slow, though, only picking up in 1941 due to opposition to mobilization and fear of antagonizing the Germans.

Youth and men during the German occupation of Brunant were conscripted to the Security Legions.

Postwar conscription
Conscription after 1952 gave exemptions to men doing < > work, such as working with the National Police or in tertiary education. Conscientious objectors were also exempted. Over growing demands for equality in the military, women were allowed to join the military in 1979, and in 1980 were conscripted. In 1982, government legislation allowed women into combat roles. Still, opposition to conscription grew throughout the decade, due to a perceived need for a more professional army, and the increase in Barzona Libre attacks.

Eventually the election of an SDP-led government under Anthony Milner began work to end conscription and in 1987 a referendum passed with a plurality, after significant campaigning for by the SDP and campaigns against by the Christian Democratic Union.

In 1986, there were 9012 conscripts, but conscription after the 1987 vote would see a large reduction in their numbers. November 1987 saw the last conscripts enter the military, who were released from their service in May 1988, and on 20 July 1988 conscription was officially abolished.