Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens mostly support the introduction of mandatory military service

(Patria) - In the period from January 31 to February 8, the Center for Security Studies (CSS) conducted a survey of citizens' attitudes towards the introduction of mandatory military service in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through an online survey questionnaire, the survey included a sample of 361 respondents.

In terms of demographic structure, 84% of respondents are men, and the survey equally covered respondents aged 18 to 35 and 36 and older.

The research findings show that 90% of respondents are in favor of introducing mandatory military service in BiH.

The most frequent affirmative reason cited is that military service is an excellent tool for acquiring discipline and work habits (45%).

This is followed by the views that it would be good for every young person to be prepared for anything if the country faces any conflict (26%) and that the army is not there only to wage war, but also to assist civilian structures in case of emergencies (23%).

Other views largely correspond to the previously stated ones, and among other things, it is stated that military service could strengthen national identity and social integration of people from different social strata.

Those respondents (about 10%) who are against the introduction of mandatory military service believe that service should be a free choice (27%), and that young people need adequate education, jobs, and a stimulating salary, not weapons (24%).

A fifth of them believe that experiences from the previous war provide insight into how the state treats demobilized soldiers and war disabled veterans. At the same time, there were respondents who raised issues regarding the financing of mandatory military service.

The research provides a valuable initial trend of our citizens' thinking on an issue that is currently in the focus of interest of many European and regional countries.

The fact that 90% of respondents are in favor of introducing mandatory military service should encourage a more serious discussion within the professional community and competent institutions about the expressed public opinion.

In this regard, the fact that almost 20 years after the adoption of the Law on Defense of BiH, the legal obligation to form and establish a reserve component of the Armed Forces of BiH, which should number around 5,000 members, has not been fulfilled, was announced by the CSS.