9. Colombia
Military budget in 2015 in USD billions: 9.8
Compulsory Service Length
Men: 12 – 24 months, depending on the branch and education
Women: None
Colombia ranks 9th in our list of strongest countries with compulsory military service. It has been torn by the conflict between the government and left-wing guerrillas since 1964. The emergence of drug cartels (most famous among them was Pablo Escobar) only complicated matters further and brought more death and misery. In order to sustain this conflict and replace losses (almost 5,000 killed soldiers and more than 20,000 wounded since 2004), Colombia needed a strong and massive army and the only way it could afford it is through compulsory military service. The practice has been under a lot of scrutiny, and armed forces have been accused of employing the conscripts based on their wealth. Recruits from poor background often saw active combat duties deep in the jungle, while their wealthier counterparts got cushy jobs in the rear. There have also been numerous reports of illegal conscription by the army, which definitely doesn’t help with the recruits’ morale.
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