Final answer:
While historical conscription efforts during the World Wars demonstrate that many individuals can be drafted for military service, not all are suited or willing to serve as soldiers. The concept of the 'citizen soldier' includes supporting the war effort beyond combat roles. Factors like personal beliefs, capabilities, and societal roles affect one's capacity to serve.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do all individuals have the capacity to be a soldier? When considering historical instances like conscription during the World Wars, it becomes evident that while many individuals can be drafted or trained for military service, not all are suited or willing to become soldiers. Conscription laws meant that many countries had a ready pool of military-trained individuals who could be deployed.
Countries like Germany, France, and Russia had large numbers of trained reservists, with compulsory military service being the norm. Other countries, like Great Britain, initially relied on a volunteer military and saw mass enthusiasm at the outbreak of war. However, as war progressed, civilian discontent rose, and enthusiasm waned, exemplified by conscientious objectors refusing to fight and protests against conscription, such as the one in Quebec City.
With the immense scale of World War II, the citizen soldier came to the fore, with military service impacting civilian life deeply. Civilian efforts supported the war through production and resource management. The concept of the 'citizen soldier' is not just about being in actual combat but also about supporting the war effort on the home front. All these examples show that while many can be conscripted and trained, personal beliefs, physical and mental capabilities, and societal roles can limit the extent to which all citizens can or will serve as soldiers.