National Service

[Kaiser Kirk]

National Service
The Parthian Army of 1910 is a mixture of Regulars, Reserves and National Service troops.
For all but the eldest child of each family (the presumptive heir), starting at 15 years of age, Parthians enter National Service.  First gathered at regional camps, they are fed well for two weeks and checked for health. Then sent to Muster Camps, they are well fed and given physical training, entwined with 'top off' schooling in Parthian language and history, as the provinces diverge somewhat. The Muster camps have an expected death rate from disease, which good food and living quarters is expected to battle.  After the first 6 months of nutrition, exercise and classes, a series of 'suitability tests' sort the students.

This applies to all social classes, but this testing typically allows the Nobles and other higher classes to demonstrate their higher skills set and education.  To the common folk, this reinforces their suitability to be in leadership spots.   Overall, the fitter and brighter are taken by the armed services, while the remainder go into Civil Service. 

Parthians then serve 2 years under Arms (and 12 in the reserves) or 3 years in Civil service.

Those in military service will first spend a year training and serving under arms. After the first year, troops are eligible to sign up for long term service and the more capable will become specialists, NCOs or Officer Candidates.

Those in civil service spend their time doing low skilled labor, from general infrastructure labor, to au paire tasks, secretaries, census takers, and civic gardening.

In each case, the National Service experience blends citizens from all walks of life,  Some fail to see the end, criminal acts, fraternization and pregnancy cuts many terms short, but the system has long found ways to keep that loss minimal. For the rest, it fosters a common background and 'ownership' of what it means to be Parthian. The pay ensures that even the poorest born leave service with a nestegg to start their life, while those who earn high marks can test for entrance to Academies of Higher Learning.