The House suspended rules and adopted House Resolution 659 designating Nov. 10, 2026 as the 251st Birthday of the United States Marine Corps in Pennsylvania; members delivered remarks and the Commandant's message was read on the floor.

Rob Williams: Why compulsory national community service should be the left's big idea.

With geopolitical headlines feeling a bit more intense lately, the word "conscription" has crept back into public conversation. Senior military figures have sparked open debate about national prepared...

Three retired Canadian military commanders recently testified before a parliamentary national defence committee, highlighting that current security threats to Canada are the most severe since the Cold War. Lieutenant General Stuart Beare, former commander of all deployed Canadian Forces, emphasized that deterrence against major military powers is now essential, stating that "the need to deter major adversarial military powers is back." He warned that if deterrence fails, Canada must be prepared for major combat operations. Lieutenant General Michel Maisonneuve, former assistant deputy chief of defence staff, stressed the necessity for increased military investment to address potential violence from adversaries. General Mike Rouleau, former vice chief of defence staff, underscored the irreplaceable importance of land troops in critical situations, stating, "There is no surrogate for land troops holding ground on your worst day." The testimony came amid broader discussions about military modernization, including concerns about personnel numbers, recruitment quality, weaponry, technology, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Maisonneuve proposed a voluntary national service program for young Canadians aged 18-25, designed to foster civic pride and national identity. The program would begin with basic military training focused on readiness, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and civic responsibility, followed by opportunities to serve in various sectors including military, emergency preparedness, community services, and environmental initiatives. Engage Canada, the organization behind the proposal, is seeking $18.75 million for a two-year pilot project. The commanders' remarks were contextualized within a broader societal concern about declining national pride among young Canadians. A 2024 Environics Institute survey revealed that only 31% of Canadians aged 18-29 felt "very proud" to be Canadian, down from 73% in 2016. Maisonneuve noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state had unexpectedly boosted national pride, with 41% of young Canadians expressing strong pride in 2023. The commanders argued that fostering resilience, leadership, and civic pride through national service is crucial for preparing young Canadians for an increasingly dangerous global landscape.

Ghana's NSA moved the 2026/27 national service registration deadline from Oct 15 to Friday, Oct 23. Who must register, the steps, what is not clear.

The Austrian coalition government has approved a military reform starting in 2027, featuring increased pay and new service structures.

The Westerwelle Foundation for International Understanding is inviting eligible national service candidates to apply for three National Service positions at

Explore the 'Defend the Homeland' campaign by DHS, aimed at recruiting agents for federal law enforcement and community safety.