In the midst of Myanmar's turbulent political landscape, a fresh wave of young citizens grapples with life-altering choices, with some taking up arms and others fleeing the country to evade military conscription.

As Myanmar's military government enforced a nationwide draft following a February announcement, two young women embarked on a daring journey into the jungles to join the fight against the ruling junta. One of these women, an 18-year-old computer science student from Mon state, made the decision without even informing her mother, determined to enlist with the Karen National Union rebel group. "I don't fear battles," she declared. "I have made my choice."

Meanwhile, in the bustling cities of Mandalay and beyond, the threat of conscription prompted two men in their thirties to abandon their lives and escape to neighboring Thailand. One of these men, a 32-year-old from Mandalay, lamented the sudden upheaval: "I was at my job and with my family the other day. And suddenly now I am here."

The shadow of conscription looms large over an estimated 14 million citizens—27% of Myanmar's population—targeted by the new law, which includes mandatory service for men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27, extending up to three years for specialists like doctors. The junta aims to enlist around 60,000 individuals annually to bolster its ranks.

The roots of this unrest trace back to a rebel offensive launched in October, posing a significant challenge to the junta's grip on power since the coup in 2021 that ousted Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian-led government.

For many, the decision to rebel or flee embodies the uncertainty and despair gripping Myanmar's youth. "There's no future for the youth," lamented a Myanmar expert, noting a wave of educated professionals leaving the country. The dream of a 21-year-old woman from Bago to become a tour guide was dashed by the coup and the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing her into the ranks of the Bamar People's Liberation Army, a militia founded by a poet turned leader.

As the crisis unfolds, the streets of Myanmar witness a spectrum of responses—recruits entering military halls, embraced by junta supporters bearing flowers, while others seek refuge beyond the country's borders, grappling with the loss of dreams and careers. Amidst the chaos, a generation is left grappling with survival and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.