In a new development in Danish defense policy, the government plans to reintroduce conscripted non-commissioned officers to meet an increasing need for personnel in the Defense. This step is part of a larger attempt to strengthen the country’s military capacity in the face of global security challenges. Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen has stated that while they hope for voluntary participation, it may be necessary to compel some conscripts to extend their service and train to become sergeants or lieutenants.
This possibility has raised concerns among trade unions and defense analysts, who fear that compulsion may lead to less motivated officers. Tom Block, chairman of the soldiers’ trade union HKKF, particularly criticizes the idea of compulsory service. “We get better officers if they choose to extend their service themselves. Two years of compulsory conscription is a very long period, and it can have negative consequences for both the individual and the overall effectiveness of the Defense,” he says.
The government’s proposal includes extending the regular conscription from four to eleven months. This is intended as a way to ensure that there are enough trained sergeants to handle the extended basic training of new conscripts. According to the Minister of Defense, around 480 new conscripted non-commissioned officers are needed annually to meet this demand.
Despite the potential compulsion, he emphasizes that the goal is to attract volunteers who want a career in the Defense and who can see the benefits of receiving early leadership training. Negotiations on the new conscription scheme are ongoing, and the government’s full proposal is expected to cost around 12 billion Danish kroner over the next ten years.
This proposal is part of a larger strategic plan aimed at strengthening Denmark’s defense capabilities at a time when security tensions globally are increasing.