Harry Clark, winner of the BBC reality series The Traitors, has expressed support for reintroducing National Service for young people in the United Kingdom. Clark, a former British Army engineer, believes that such a program could provide purpose and discipline to teenagers who may otherwise become involved in crime.
Speaking on Channel 5's Storm & Alexis show, Clark drew on his own six-year military experience, stating that National Service offers numerous benefits beyond combat. He explained that the army teaches valuable trades, citing his own experience as an aeronautical engineer. Clark suggested that National Service could encompass various roles, including military service, vocational training, or community service, all aimed at instilling lifelong discipline.
Clark noted that many individuals in the military find a sense of family and belonging, which he believes could be beneficial for young people who feel lost or disconnected. He posited that a year of service, even just learning basic skills like making a bed, could significantly improve young adults' preparedness for life after their service. He also suggested that a substantial percentage of participants might choose to continue in the military to pursue further trades and opportunities for travel.
His comments come as similar ideas are being discussed at a higher level. In April, former NATO chief Lord Robertson proposed that a Swedish-style national service system should be considered in the UK due to evolving global threats. Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee on national security, Robertson stated that while it might run counter to current societal thinking, the nature of modern threats, both civil and military, warrants such consideration.
Under Sweden's system, all residents aged 16 to 70 have defined roles in civil resilience, which can include military conscription, civil conscription for services like rescue or infrastructure maintenance, or general national service. Britain previously had a National Service program that required all fit men aged 17 to 21 to serve in the armed forces for 18 months, from 1949 until it ended in 1960. Other countries, such as Finland, maintain military conscription, and Germany recently voted to introduce voluntary military service following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.