Are you ready for the military draft that could be coming your way? Young people being forced into the military (including women) was a prediction made by Old Moore in the 2025 Old Moore’s Almanac, in the Europe section.
Well, it seems that Germany might be the first to go along this path. Would Ireland suggest this as well?
Conscription in Europe
Germany is considering reinstating mandatory military service if its new volunteer-based recruitment system fails to boost army numbers, according to Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on May 24, 2025, Pistorius outlined plans for a revamped military service model to strengthen the understaffed armed forces. The initial approach will prioritise voluntary enlistment, but he cautioned that conscription could be reintroduced if volunteer numbers fall short.
He stated that if Germany has more capacity than volunteers, they may decide to make recruitment mandatory.
The administration of Chancellor Friedrich Merz is fast-tracking a new military service bill, aiming for implementation as early as January 2026. The move comes amid growing concerns about Germany’s defense capabilities and heightened security threats in Europe, particularly following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011 and has since faced challenges in meeting recruitment targets. Pistorius also highlighted plans to mobilise more reservists as part of the broader effort to bolster national defense.
Military Draft and Ireland
Would a military draft ever occur in Ireland? Good question.
A military draft in Ireland is highly unlikely under current circumstances. Ireland has maintained a policy of military neutrality for decades, enshrined in its constitution and foreign policy, which emphasises non-involvement in military alliances like NATO.
The Irish Defence Forces have no history of conscription since the state’s founding in 1922. During World War II, Ireland remained neutral and did not enforce a draft, unlike many other nations.
The legal framework for a draft exists in theory under the Defence Act 1954, which allows for conscription in a national emergency, but this has never been implemented.
Ireland’s small population (around 5.3 million in 2025) and limited military capacity, focused on peacekeeping and domestic security, make a draft impractical for modern warfare needs, which prioritise professional, specialised forces over mass conscription.
Irish society values its neutrality, and any move toward conscription would likely face strong resistance, as seen in historical debates over even minor expansions of military commitments.
Ok, phew! For now…
