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In 1981 the total strength of the Afghan Armed Forces was around 85,000 troops according to The New York Times. [26] The Afghan Army had around 35–40,000 soldiers, mostly conscripts; the Air Force had around 7,000 personnel; and the total of all military personnel was around 87,000 in 1984. [27]
The roots of an army in Afghanistan can be traced back to the early 18th century when the Hotak dynasty was established in Kandahar followed by Ahmad Shah Durrani's rise to power. It was reorganized in 1880 during Emir Abdur Rahman Khan's reign. [5] Afghanistan remained neutral during the First and Second World Wars.
The draft began in October 1940, with the first men entering military service on November 18. By the early summer of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked the U.S. Congress to extend the term of duty for the draftees beyond twelve months to a total of thirty months, plus any additional time that he might deem necessary for national security.
The World War II draft operated from 1940 until 1946 when further inductions were suspended, and its legislative authorization expired without further extension by Congress in 1947. During this time, more than 10 million men had been inducted into military service. [40] However, the Selective Service System remained intact.
In 1981 the total strength of the Afghan Armed Forces was around 85,000 troops according to The New York Times. [4] The Afghan Army had around 35–40,000 soldiers, mostly conscripts; the Afghan Air Force had around 7,000 personnel; and the total of all military personnel was around 87,000 in 1984. [5]
On April 27, 1942, the fourth registration was held nationwide, which encompassed men from the ages of 45 to 64 (i.e., born between April 27, 1877, and February 16, 1897), earning it the nickname of "The Old Man's Draft." Unlike the earlier registrations, its purpose was indirect; the individuals were not actually liable for military service.
[182] [183] [196] [197] In total there were believed to be 28,000 Pakistani nationals fighting inside Afghanistan. [ 183 ] 20,000 were regular Pakistani soldiers either from the Frontier Corps or army and an estimated 8,000 were militants recruited in madrasas filling regular Taliban ranks. [ 195 ]
About 1.2 million Austrians served in all branches of the German armed forces during World War II. After the defeat of the Axis Powers, the Allies occupied Austria in four occupation zones set up at the end of World War II until 1955, when the country again became a fully independent republic under the condition that it remained neutral.