I understand the problem, I just don't believe conscription fixes it.

The unpaid and unmotivated do not learn efficiently, and then get completely rekt in war.

But they let the government pretend its doing something, and also function as hostages in any domestic political crisis.

Britain, during the 1930s, had classes at highschool on weapons handling and basic fieldcraft. That would be my preferred model of compulsory service, by far.