Conscription in Denmark

Conscription has been practised in Denmark since the Viking Age, where one physical man of every 10th court was required to serve the king. Frederick IV of Denmark changed the law in 1710 to every 4th court. The men were chosen by the landowner, with being chosen being seen as a penalty.

Since 12 February 1849, all physically fit men are obligated to conscription, according to the Constitution of Denmark, which was founded in the same year. Conscripts were required to wear their uniform on leave until 1966.{{cite web |author1=Arma-Dania |title=Arma-Dania.dk |url=http://www.arma-dania.dk/public/historie/perioder_view.php?editid1=52 |website=Danish Defence's Historical Periodes |access-date=15 May 2018 |date=2014}}

File:Copenhagen royal guard waiting.jpg.]]

According to §81 of the Constitution of Denmark, every Danish male adult has to complete military service. {{Cquote|text=Every male person able to bear arms shall be liable with his person to contribute to the defence of his country under such rules as are laid down by statute.|author=Constitution of Denmark, §81{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedanishparliament.dk/Publications/The_Constitutional_Act_of_Denmark.aspx?page=all |title=The Constitutional Act of Denmark |website=The Danish Parliament |access-date=14 December 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214130406/http://www.thedanishparliament.dk/Publications/The_Constitutional_Act_of_Denmark.aspx?page=all |archive-date=14 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}}} The legislation of the compulsory military service is articulated in the Danish Law of Conscription.{{Cite web |title=Bekendtgørelse af værnepligtsloven |trans-title=Announcement of the Conscription Act |url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=6463 |website=Retsinformation |access-date=18 February 2016 |language=da-DK}} The national service lasts between 4 & 12 months.{{Cite web |title=Værnepligt |trans-title=Conscription |url=https://www.borger.dk/Sider/Vaernepligt.aspx |website=Borger |access-date=18 February 2016 |language = da-DK}} It is possible to postpone the conscription until his education is complete.{{Cite web |title=Forsvaret |trans-title=Armed Forces |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/foerforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx#Over6 |website=The Danish Defence |access-date=18 February 2016 |language=da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222160228/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/foerforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx#Over6 |archive-date=22 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Women are not obligated to conscription{{Cite web |title=Kvinder i Forsvaret |trans-title=Women in the Armed Forces |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/KvinderIForsvaret/Pages/default.aspx |website=The Danish Defence |access-date=18 February 2016|language = da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224154112/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/KvinderIForsvaret/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2016 |url-status=dead}} but this will change from 1 January 2027.[https://www.fmn.dk/globalassets/fmn/dokumenter/nyheder/2024/-aftale-om-fuld-ligestilling-i-vaernepligten-under-forsvarsforliget-2024-2033-.pdf Dokumenter][https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ligestilling-og-laengere-tid-i-troejen-forstaa-den-nye-vaernepligt Ligestilling og længere tid i trøjen: Forstå den nye værnepligt]

Every man over the age of 18 will be drafted into the 'Day of Defence' ({{lang|da|forsvarets dag}}), where they will be introduced to the Danish military and have their health tested.{{Cite web |title=Mødet på Forsvarets Dag |trans-title=The meeting on Defence Day |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/paaforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx |website=The Danish Defence |access-date=18 February 2016 |language=da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224135634/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/paaforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date = 24 February 2016|url-status = dead}} Men who are not physically fit are not required to participate in the draw.{{Cite web |title=Før Forsvarets Dag |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/foerforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx |website=The Danish Defence |access-date=18 February 2016 |language=da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222160228/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/foerforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2016 |url-status=dead}} Men considered healthy or partially capable have to participate in the draw, while women have the right to complete conscription same as men. From 2027 this obligation will also be extended to women.[https://www.fmn.dk/globalassets/fmn/dokumenter/nyheder/2024/-aftale-om-fuld-ligestilling-i-vaernepligten-under-forsvarsforliget-2024-2033-.pdf Dokumenter][https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ligestilling-og-laengere-tid-i-troejen-forstaa-den-nye-vaernepligt Ligestilling og længere tid i trøjen: Forstå den nye værnepligt]

Physically fit people and partially fit people have to draw a number. Men deemed partially capable draw a number but do not have to serve their conscription if they choose not to, even if it is a number where a physically fit man would have to serve. Men determined to be physically healthy can be forced to fulfil their conscription, depending on which number they draw.{{Cite web |title=Mødet på Forsvarets Dag |trans-title=The meeting on Defence Day |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/paaforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx#Over6 |website=Danish Defence |access-date=18 February 2016 |language=da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224135634/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/paaforsvaretsdag/Pages/default.aspx#Over6 |archive-date=24 February 2016 |url-status=dead}} The numbers 8,000-36,000 ({{lang|da|frinumre}}) will not lead to conscription in peacetime. The numbers 1–8,000 can lead to conscription — even in peacetime — if there are not enough volunteers.{{Cite web |title=Lodnummergrænser |trans-title= |url=http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/Pages/Lodnummer.aspx |website=The Danish Defence |access-date=19 February 2016 |language=da-DK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224144336/http://www2.forsvaret.dk/temaer/vaernepligt/Pages/Lodnummer.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Conscripts in the Danish Defence (Army, Navy and Air Force) generally serve 4 months,[http://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_haeren.aspx Army's basic training] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214182352/https://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_haeren.aspx |date=2017-12-14 }} {{in lang|da}}[http://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_flyvevaabnet.aspx Air force's basic training] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214182355/https://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_flyvevaabnet.aspx |date=2017-12-14 }} {{in lang|da}} except:

• Conscripts of the Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron, who serve 12 months.
• Conscripts with Cyber-conscription, who serve 10 months.{{cite web |author1=Forsvarsministeriets Personalestyrelse |title=Nu indfører Forsvaret cyberværnepligt |trans-title=The Armed Forces are now introducing a cyber defence obligation |url=http://forpers.dk/nyheder/Pages/cybervaernepligt.aspx |website=forpers.dk/ |access-date=29 November 2019 |language=da-DK |date=29 November 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208005544/http://forpers.dk/nyheder/Pages/cybervaernepligt.aspx |url-status=dead}}
• Conscripts aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog, who serve 9 months.[http://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_soevaernet.aspx Navy's basic training] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214182552/https://www2.forsvaret.dk/uddannelsessite/uddannelser/Pages/Basisuddannelsen_i_soevaernet.aspx |date=2017-12-14 }} {{in lang|da}}
• Conscripts in the Danish Emergency Management Agency, who serve 9 months.[http://brs.dk/vaernepligt/Pages/forside_vaernepligt.aspx Conscription in the Danish Emergency Management Agency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517190657/http://brs.dk/vaernepligt/Pages/forside_vaernepligt.aspx |date=2014-05-17 }} {{in lang|da}}
• Conscripts in the Royal Life Guards, who serve 8 months.
• Conscripts of the Army’s Mobilisation Troops, who serve 8 months.

According to the Danish Law of Conscription from 12 December 2003, §2, one must provide conscription for the military (the Danish Defence) or perform a non-military duty, for example in the Danish Emergency Management Agency, as an aid worker in a developing country or, if a conscientious objector (militærnægter), in the civil service. Voluntary service in the armed forces or emergency services can, according to rules set by the Minister of Defence, take the place of military service.

In 2006, 76% of conscripts were volunteers, a number which rose to 99.1% in 2014. The other 0.9% (19 individuals) were forced to serve in the military.{{Cite web|title = 19 unge tvunget i militæret|url = https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/19-unge-tvunget-i-militaeret|website = DR|access-date = 29 February 2016|first = Thomas Klose| last = Jensen|date = 13 October 2014|language = da-DK}}

In 2012, the number of conscripts was lowered from 5,000 participants to 4,200 participants. This is being upheld until 2020.{{Cite web |title=Forsvarsforlig falder på plads i dag: 800 færre værnepligtige |trans-title=Defence settlement falls into place today: 800 fewer conscripts |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/forsvarsforlig-falder-paa-plads-i-dag-800-faerre-vaernepligtige |website=DR |access-date=14 December 2017 |language=da-DK |first=Mette Mayli |last=Albæk |date=30 November 2012}}

Since the Russo-Ukrainian war post 2022, many Danish parties have engaged in talks about increasing the number of conscripts up to 15,000 in the upcoming years. This is part of the state's plan which works to improve the Danish army’s capabilities at defence, which have suffered greatly since the end of the Cold War.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

File:Logo for Conscription Council.svg

To protect the rights of the conscripts, the Conscription Council ({{langx|da|Værnepligtsrådet}}) was created in 1968.{{cite web |title=Værnepligtsrådet |url=https://vaernepligtsraadet.dk/radet/ |website=vaernepligtsraadet.dk |accessdate=13 November 2018 |language=Danish}} It works as an independent Trade union and is focused on handling the interests of the conscripts.

The topic is heavily criticized on grounds of gender discrimination, involuntary servitude and economic reasons.{{Cite web|title = Afskaf den håbløse værnepligt - eller få kvinderne med|url = http://politiken.dk/debat/profiler/engel-schmidt/ECE1775964/afskaf-den-haabloese-vaernepligt---eller-faa-kvinderne-med/|website = Politiken|access-date = 19 February 2016|language = da-DK|first = Jakob|last = Engel-Schmidt|date = 9 October 2012}}{{Cite web|title = Værnepligten er en dårlig forretning|url = http://www.information.dk/185957|website = Information| date=22 March 2009 |access-date = 19 February 2016|language = da-DK}} According to a poll from July 2011, 2 out of 3 Danes want conscription abolished.{{Cite web|title = Forsvarsminister: Værnepligt skal bevares|url = http://www.politiko.dk/nyheder/forsvarsminister-vaernepligt-skal-bevares|website = Politiko|access-date = 19 February 2016|language = da-DK|date = 8 September 2011}}

GHR RLG Conscript.svg|Insignia for conscripts in the Guard Hussar Regiment and Royal Life Guards

GHR HESK Conskript.svg|Insignia for conscripts in the Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron

Jutland Dragoon Regiment Conscript.svg|Insignia for conscripts in the Jutland Dragoon Regiment

Rank insignia of Værnepligtige of the Royal Danish Navy.svg|Insignia for conscripts in the Royal Danish Navy

Danish Airforce conscript.svg|Insignia for conscripts in the Royal Danish Air Force

• Conscription
• Military service

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Conscription in Europe}}

Denmark

Category:Military of Denmark