Mandatory Military Service for Austro-Hungary in 1890s

[Christine Lawlor]

Does anyone have details on the mandatory military service for Slovaks in the 1890s? We have a photo of my grandfather in a military uniform. Did the 3 year requirement start when a young man turned a certain age, or did he enroll voluntarily when it fit into the family (harvest) schedule?

Christine

[Michael Mojher]

Christine,

              Wikipedia, Military of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: “…A new army law decreed universal three-year conscription followed by a ten-year reserve obligation. In practice, only about one in five of those liable to service were called up, and many were sent on leave after two years. The army of Austria-Hungary has been described as a state within a state. In an empire of ten nationalities and five religions, marked by ethnic conflict and sharp political and economic divisions, the army formed the only real bond among the emperor's subjects and the sole instrument through which loyalty to him could find expression.”

              A Guide for Locating Military Records for the various Regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by Carl Kotlarchik: “After 1867, a Hungarian homeland army emerged. In addition to the joint Austro-Hungarian Army, known as the Royal and Imperial Army (the k.u.k.), Hungary formed a new, separate army which they called the Honved known as the Royal Hungarian Army (k.u.).  Austria already had its own homeland army which they called the Landwehr or the Imperial Royal Army (the k.k.).

Men could be conscripted to serve in either the joint army or their homeland army.”

              “…the Kriegs Archives in Vienna and are now available on microfilm from the LDS Family History Center.  These include records for both officers and enlisted personnel. After 1867, Hungary began keeping the records for their own soldiers, including those from the districts now in present-day Slovakia.  Although the

records for the officers still exist, the records for the enlisted men are no longer available.  Another reason I’ve avoided looking for post 1867 records is that after the

Ausgleich, Hungary formed a home guard called the Honved.  Therefore, many men from Hungary served in this homeland army instead of the joint army (the k.u.k).  Unfortunately, the records for the Honved units also appear to have been lost.”

              “Men were eligible to be drafted starting at the age of 20.” - http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/ahm.html

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[Christine Lawlor]

Well, this just got curiouser and curiouser. I think my Grandfather emigrated in his 20th year. Also, why would a female wear a military uniform? His sister is in uniform in the photo, as well.

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