A new poll has found that more than half of young Brits would complete a mandatory year of national service if offered the opportunity. The Focaldata poll, commissioned by US bipartisan group With Honor, surveyed 2,176 British adults and found that six in ten 18 to 24-year-olds would be happy to take part if eligible.
Young people want to serve
Around 19% of respondents said they would "very much" like to take part, while 41% said they would "somewhat like to take part". With Honor co-founder and former US Marine Rye Barcott described the results as "encouraging".
He told GB News: "What this poll found is that young people in particular want to serve - military and civilian service. They want a path forward to give back. Why is that important? Because service actually equips you with life skills. Whether that's going to be running a business, serving in a non-profit, you know, running for office."
Opportunity versus obligation
The former Marine, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he was proud to serve with Brits and that "Service puts you shoulder to shoulder with people that think differently than you. You're on a common mission".
The poll also found that around 53% of young adults see service as an opportunity, while 34% see it as an obligation.
Impact on NEETs and employment
Results also uncovered that some believe national service could provide a solution to the increasing number of NEETs in the UK. A NEET is a young person aged between 16 and 24 who is not in employment, education or training. Among those polled, 17% believe a year of service would help the estimated million of NEETs in the UK get into work.
Employers have also said that they are more likely to hire a candidate if they had completed a year of mandatory service.
Al Carns MP, the former Minister for the Armed Forces and a Royal Marines reserve officer, said: "I joined the Royal Marines at 19 and learned early that resilience comes from people who are ready to step up.
"Some wear a uniform, but many never will. They are the young people who help in a flood, support a struggling school or keep a community going in a crisis.
"This poll shows they are willing, and that employers will value it. Now we need to build the routes that let them serve."
