Why doesn't Ukraine draft 18 year olds?

I recall it being a big deal that the draft age was lowered to 25 for Ukrainians. I kind of understand keeping young men around until 25, but I also acknowledge that there are 40+ year olds fighting, and many men are tired.

My apologies if this sounds daft. I’m an American, the last time we issued the draft was during the 1970s, my dads generation, which was very unpopular with him. I believe in the US, we liked the soldiers to be 18 because their reaction time (with a weapon) was slightly faster, and it was optimal for gun fighting.

I’d like to see as many Ukrainians survive this war as possible. and hope this doesn’t sound disrespectful.

MataVatnik,
@MataVatnik@lemmy.world avatar

According to the analysts I listen to, Ukraine is a democracy which means there needs to be political will to do it. Mobilizations are already unpopular in Ukraine and no politician wants to be the first to push for a mobilization of young people in Ukraine because they believe it will be political suicide. I think there are other factors as well but that’s one of the main ones.

Last I heard there is a mobilization bill in the legislature but Zelensky is not really anything to push it. And it’s an issue because Ukraine does really need to reconstitute its forces.

AnUnusualRelic,
@AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world avatar

I think the official reason is that it’s trying to preserve its potential future.

I might be wrong though. Also they might be force to tap into that group eventually, depending on how things go.

verity_kindle,
@verity_kindle@lemmy.world avatar

This is a great question! I remember the Army recruiting pitches of the early 1990s, they claimed to offer personal development, education benefits and travel, the selling points were geared exclusively towards the very young and unattached, but the actors in the posters and commercials seemed to be mostly older, mid 20s to early 30s. No acne or braces there.

CarbonatedPastaSauce,

The US military likes 18 year old soldiers because most of them are impressionable, easily manipulated or indoctrinated, they don’t typically have dependents to worry about yet, they are cheap to pay, and their bodies can take far more abuse before giving out.

Source: I was one.

It has absolutely nothing to do with reaction time with weapons. That’s Hollywood bullshit. You’d be surprised how infrequently you can even see the people you’re fighting in modern warfare.

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