Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama and a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is advocating for a national service program. This initiative is not typically associated with the Democratic Party. Emanuel, who has served as the mayor of Chicago and the U.S. ambassador to Japan, believes that while diversity is often touted as a strength, it requires a foundation of unity. He argues that Western democracies have lost this unifying principle. To restore civic purpose, he suggests that young people should be required to serve in the military, the Peace Corps, or engage in public service for six months.

Recent reports indicate that the Canadian Forces are considering a significant increase in the size of Canada’s reserve force, potentially expanding from 28,000 to 400,000 members. This proposal has met skepticism in some circles. However, in a country facing regional and political divisions, there could be substantial benefits to fostering a sense of national identity and purpose among citizens.

The phrase "diversity is our strength" has faced criticism, but Emanuel believes that a shared commitment to national service could help remind Canadians of their collective history and values. He draws parallels to historical examples, such as the Roman Empire, which thrived on a sense of citizenship that included both privilege and obligation. When that collective mission faltered, the empire ultimately collapsed.

Despite the ambitious proposal, Canada’s military currently faces significant challenges. The Canadian Armed Forces are short 15,000 soldiers from their authorized strength of 71,500 full-time and 30,000 reserve members. The goal for 2030 is to increase the regular force to 86,000. The directive to expand the reserve force from 23,561 to 100,000, with an additional 295,000 supplementary members, aims to enhance resilience against domestic threats and provide a larger pool of recruits during emergencies.

Currently, there are 4,384 supplementary reserves, primarily retired military personnel willing to return to duty if needed. The expansion plan includes prioritizing public servants, who would be asked to volunteer for military training, including handling firearms and operating vehicles and drones. The directive suggests that entry standards would be less stringent regarding age and physical requirements compared to the permanent reserve force.

In June, Brigadier General Brendan Cook, director general of the Royal Canadian Air Force, emphasized the need for Canada to prepare for potential conflicts with Russia or China by 2028-2030. While the goals of the proposal are commendable, they differ from Emanuel’s vision of compulsory service.

Recruitment remains a pressing issue. Between 2022 and 2025, the Canadian Forces received 192,000 applications, but only 15,000 new members were recruited, barely keeping pace with an annual attrition rate of eight to nine percent. The government has promised pay increases, and other incentives, such as free post-secondary education for reservists, could enhance recruitment efforts. However, the military's ability to process these applications is in question.

The parliamentary defense committee reported a significant backlog in medical and security clearances, partly due to outdated paper-based processes. The military has committed to recruiting more permanent residents, but only two percent of applicants from this group were hired, compared to a ten percent acceptance rate for Canadian citizens. A retired recruitment officer highlighted the lengthy security clearance process, which can involve responses from foreign governments, leading to delays that require candidates to undergo new medical evaluations and interviews.

Another major challenge is the lack of training facilities and instructors. The Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, is the only remaining training center for regular soldiers, following the closures of other bases. It can accommodate about 1,620 trainees at a time, limiting the annual intake to around 5,200 soldiers. The primary reserve faces similar resource constraints, with a focus on training that may not adequately prepare recruits for military duties.

These challenges are the focus of a specialized team tasked with addressing the obstacles to expanding Canada’s military reserves. The Canadian Forces appear to be shifting their approach, moving from a reactive stance to proactively addressing the challenges ahead.