COLOMBIAN CONSCRIPTION SHOULD BE REPLACED

Unfortunately, in practice and in Colombian reality, conscription (also called compulsory military service) is a class-based service, and that's one of the leading reasons why conscription should be replaced, considering that this model will affect each individual differently and will also impact the function they will play in the institution (Military rank) simply because it is a deficient model that takes into account social classes. That means Colombia has a classist and unequal conscription service, which needs to be replaced by different social services.

There are some reasons that I consider relevant to explain why conscription needs to be replaced in our country, and the idea is to spell it out. (It should be emphasized that when the word "replace" is mentioned in the text, it refers to replacing the "compulsory nature" of military service, making it an option, but not eliminating it.)

Firstly, the philosophical and political reasons why I am against mandatory military service are: it's a classist type of service. About 80% of the people who perform compulsory military service correspond to strata 0, 1, 2, and 3 (the working class) so there is a visible inequality. In that order of ideas, one of the postulates of progressive thinking is to disagree that there are class privileges. The practice today has made compulsory military service a kind of punishment for those who don't have many financial resources. In addition, privileged people (greater purchasing power) who choose to join the military in our country have a better chance of starting or getting a high military rank chart because of their influence or money. (not all of them) If you want to grow in the army, most of the time, you need to pay for it. There is a lot of corruption in Colombia, and Military forces aren't an exception. That's why rich people are more likely to get high ranks than people who come from lower-income backgrounds.

Recently, I was talking to a non-commissioned officer friend of the Army, and he told me that people from the upper strata are those who progress in the Army because of their influence; even many of them in a matter of a few months become officers. On the other hand, in most cases, many young people of limited means are and will be private soldiers. Also, I know friends that have been for years in the Army, however, they've failed to advance more than one rank, even if many of them are good at their job.

People should have the freedom to decide whether or not they want to serve their country. Putting it simply: forcing people to do something against their will is a recipe for disaster; I know that conscription is a constitutional duty, but this does not justify that the youth of our country is condemned to be used as cannon fodder. We do not deserve to be sent to die in war, what we deserve are better opportunities to study, work, and progress over time. Perhaps, banning conscription is not a viable option due to all the socio-economic problems of the country. Still, military service could be replaced with social services (only if you don't want to join The Army). That's why I agree with the current government to create an alternative to compulsory military service, and that alternative is called "social service for peace."

According to the articles, military service will not end, but an alternative to this requirement will be made. It also clarifies that it might be provided in the following modalities: "Social service to promote digital literacy in rural or urban areas; social service to work with victims of the armed conflict and the promotion of their rights; social service for the endorsement and fulfillment of peace agreements; social service to promote public policy for peace, reconciliation, coexistence, and non-stigmatization; and social service for the protection of nature and biodiversity."

The youth of this country expects the government to make a gesture of composure and social justice. Hence I like the idea of Social service for peace because it's a great way to replace Compulsory Military service with more reasonable options. Not everybody wants to go to war. If you asked me, I'd say only a low percentage of the population wants to go to the Army or any of the other three institutions of the Colombian Armed Forces (Colombian Air force, Colombian Navy, and Colombian Army).

In conclusion, to replace compulsory military service, I believe that the creation of new alternatives, such as social services, should be taken into account since these will provide a great alternative to young people who do not want to be part of the war. Likewise, we would end an unequal and classist military service, which has persecuted and denigrated young people for decades.