Just so you guys know, there isn't a need for anyone in my country to know how to use a firearm.
Because there are no firearms.
Here, the possession of arms carries a death sentence, and you cannot buy a gun or get a license to own one. The only people who carry arms in public are the police and the military.
The local government likes to repeat that mandatory military service exists due to the small population and hence small professional army. It's basically a manpower boost, to have the civilian population ready to take up arms if anything broke out.
You don't even need all of them to run. Enough of them go, and the entire command structure breaks down. As for order, discipline and respect, there are other places to learn those. Parents, school, uniformed groups. I've yet to gain in any of these areas since I joined.
Frankly, I'd say they're deluded. This country is wealthy, and many families have properties overseas. If a war became imminent, people will be running with their families and deserting their posts. Foot soldiers, officers, everything. Why stay and defend your family from a threat, and possibly fail, when you can all run to safety?