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Twelve months of mandatory national service would be reintroduced by the Conservatives if they win the general election.
Eighteen-year-olds would be able to apply for one of 30,000 full-time military placements or volunteering one weekend a month carrying out a community service.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he believed bringing back compulsory service across the UK would help foster the "national spirit" that emerged during the pandemic.
Labour criticised the plans, expected to cost about £2.5bn, as "desperate" and "unfunded".
The Conservatives want the first teenagers to take part in a pilot from September 2025, with details to be worked out by a Royal Commission
The armed forces placements would allow young people to learn about cyber security, logistics, procurement, or civil response operations.
Non-military volunteering would involve 25 days with organisations such as the fire service, the police and the NHS.