Norway was the first NATO country to embrace the concept of universal conscription. The Armed Forces recruit the women and men best suited and most motivated, regardless of gender. This year, we mark ten years of universal conscription. No one questions the advantages, nor the benefits, for society at large, as well as the individuals.
Latvia stands as a steadfast NATO member, protecting the borders with both Russia and Belarus. Its current efforts to strengthen national security are therefore timely and understandable. Introducing universal conscription will strengthen Latvia’s security.
Today, all Norwegian citizens are registered for military service when they turn 18. Around 9000 go through compulsory military service program annually. This means that men and women between the age of 19 and 44 (in wartime the age limit is 55) conduct compulsory military service for 19 months. This normally mandates a 12-month initial military service period, before being assigned to a reserve military unit or to the National Guard. The last seven months of service offers options for additional service, essential refresher training, participation in military exercises or being available for active service in a time of crisis.
When the Norwegian parliament passed the legislation of universal conscription in 2013, the goal was to gradually increase the proportion of women in the Armed Forces. In 2015 the final legal amendments came into effect, making conscription truly universal – with equal rights and obligations for both women and men to serve the country.
This does not mean that all women – nor all men - are called up for service, or that an equal number of women and men are selected. The selection is based on suitability. In fact, it has become prestigious for young men and women to succeed in their military service in the same way they aspire to complete further education. Each year, there are more suitable young men and women who want to serve than there are spots available.
Today, one in three conscripts is a woman. The proportion of women in initial service has increased from 13 percent in 2014 to 32 percent in 2024. The share of women among professional military personnel has also grown – from 10 percent in 2014 to 17 percent today. There has been a positive development in the number of women attending Officer School and Military Academy.
One example of how the Armed Forces have facilitated women participation is the establishment of the Hunter Troop in 2014. This is a special operations unit under the Norwegian Special Operations Command, consisting exclusively of female conscripts. The unit was created in response to an operational need for highly trained female soldiers. Experiences from the war in Afghanistan demonstrated that female soldiers fulfilled critical functions, such as gathering intelligence and interacting with women and children in conservative societies.
Norway’s Chief of Defence, Eirik Kristoffersen, states:
“Universal conscription has made the Armed Forces stronger because we now recruit from the entire population. When women and men serve side by side, we get a military that reflects the society we are meant to defend. Diversity brings strength. Different experiences and perspectives make us better, wiser, and more capable – in peace, crisis, and war.”
It is a huge advantage that the Armed Forces can select from a pool of 60,000 conscripts, rather than 30,000. A broader recruitment base increases competition, raises the quality of candidates, and enhances the prestige of military service – making it more attractive to those who are capable and motivated.
Ten years of universal conscription have shown that a more diverse defence is also a more resilient one. Societal resilience is enhanced by fostering a shared sense of responsibility and preparedness across the population. It ensures that critical skills and civic values are distributed broadly, strengthening both national defence and social cohesion. That is also a benefit to employers outside the defence sector. When people serve, they understand what is at stake. Why not allow also women to be prepared to defend our society, our values, and our way of life?
It makes no sense to exempt half the population due to their sex from the duty to protect our nation and values. Numbers matter, and we need everyone who is able and willing to serve. The same goes for Latvia.