Problem with a large standing army of conscripts is simple ~ corrupt politicians, particularly the Democrats, will toss the troops into a large war that results in a lot of deaths without a second thought.
Personally I believe democrats voted for this war so they would have a pile of bodies to campaign on top of.
"large standing army of conscripts"
And if anyone thinks there wouldn't be a whole lot of exemptions, there is a bridge for sale in New York.....