Dependent upon the circumstances, yes, people can be conscripted. Each country is different.

I only skimmed the comments and am sure someone has already mentioned certain countries that make it a req for kids coming out of high school to do a mandatory civil service stint in their country's military force.

I totally support that idea for the US, every kid coming out of high school go 2 yrs doing something for one of our military branches. Then they can go to college but most will at least have a solid skill/trade underway.