The Ottoman Empire utilized the concept of "devshirme" as part of its military recruitment system. This practice involved the periodic conscription of Christian boys from the empire's European provinces, who were then converted to Islam and trained as soldiers, specifically in the elite Janissary corps. The devshirme system was significant in that it enabled the Ottomans to create a loyal and highly skilled military force while also integrating diverse populations into the empire's governance and military apparatus.