There are countries that have recently stopped having national service, whereas many others continue to have it.

Personally, I am against the idea of national service. First of all, service in the army should be voluntary, otherwise it violates basic human freedoms that most progressive countries fight to maintain. Second, having a professional army is actually cheaper for a country’s economy as well as be more efficient. These countries do not have to spend a lot of resources on training new soldiers. Instead, they can have professionals, people who chose this as their job, protect their country. They will be much more motivated and experienced.

At the same time, there are people who believe that every man must serve in the army. When a country is facing aggression, it will have better chances to respond properly if most of its population knows how to use weapons. Besides, they say, the army helps a man mature. It teaches people valuable qualities such as discipline and responsibility, as well as makes them more athletic.

Well, army service is not the only place where men can acquire those qualities. No one should be forced into the army against their will. In addition, some people just are not cut out for the army, they would make poor soldiers. This job would be much better performed by professionals who will respond against intruders much better.

In conclusion, I would like to say that it is important for a country to have a well-trained army. Having an army comprised of professionals seems to be the best way to go about it. Thus, I am against national service and support the idea of a professional army.

or

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are opposing views on this issue. At first sight it is important for a county to have a well-trained army but in actual fact it is imposable to become a professional just for a year or two. Thus, I strongly believe that national service does not make a lot of sense.