This study analyzes the young people admission into mandatory military service in Brazil, given the transformations in the labor world and the scenario of increased unemployment and precarious labor, especially among Brazilian youth. This scenario is inherent to the capitalist way of production, aggravated as a result of the political, economic and social transformations in Brazil and in the world since the last three decades of the 20th century. The historical analysis of recruitment in Brazil shows that military service is not only related to the act of recruiting men to defend a territory. The multiple functions performed by this instrument, since the 16th century, reflect power relations and disputes that permeate each historical context. In order to analyze mandatory military service and the context of unemployment among young people, a survey was conducted on questionnaires answered by those who entered mandatory military service - SMO, in the Rio de Janeiro Security and Defense Group - GSD-RJ, Military Organization of the Brazilian Air Force - FAB, in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. It was observed, from questionnaires analysis, that these young people wanted to be recruited and that they belong to a specific social class, despite the legal definition of all classes being represented in the military service. In addition to the characteristics of this group related to education, composition and family employment situation, the research revealed the motivations and expectations of recruits in relation to the military institution. Despite not being the only motivating factor, it was found that the interest in joining the Armed Forces, even if temporarily, through mandatory military service, is not dissociated from their need to enter or remain in the labor market.