If your country doesn't have it, should it have mandatory military service?

[ulsterman88]

The UK defnitely needs national service it would give young people life experience and teach them discipline, something many British teenagers dont have.

 

[Bast]

Traditions such as the right to question authority? Values such as free speech? Respect such as the respect for family life?

Are you implying that we'd lose those things by having mandatory military service? I don't know what your point is.

In any case, I'm talking about respect for our men and women in the military and nation.

 

[Swedishguy]

No, I don't want to join the military.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

Are you implying that we'd lose those things by having mandatory military service? I don't know what your point is.

Well read what I was replying to:

But I just I'm just concerned for our countries' youth that they may be swayed by other things. I'm concerned that countries like that are building their war machines while our youth burns flags and protests against their government.

What I'm saying is that the right to criticise the Government is a fundamental freedom in a democracy. The right to voice an opinion, subject to some restrictions, is a freedom in a democracy. The right to raise a family, not be carted off to serve in the army, is a freedom in a democracy (a European one anyway). You say that the "yoofs" should undergo military service to teach them what? Unquestioning obedience to Governmental authority?

Whilst I agree that the "youth" should have respect for those who died for our freedom, sending them off to boot camp, and wasting millions in the process, isn't the way to do it.

As I said before, and you didn't reply, what is wrong with today's "youth" which you think military service will solve?

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

It would be the final proof that I am the property of the government. Unfortunatly my country (Sweden) has it.

 

[Bast]

Well read what I was replying to:

What I'm saying is that the right to criticise the Government is a fundamental freedom in a democracy. The right to voice an opinion, subject to some restrictions, is a freedom in a democracy. The right to raise a family, not be carted off to serve in the army, is a freedom in a democracy (a European one anyway). You say that the "yoofs" should undergo military service to teach them what? Unquestioning obedience to Governmental authority?

Whilst I agree that the "youth" should have respect for those who died for our freedom, sending them off to boot camp, and wasting millions in the process, isn't the way to do it.

As I said before, and you didn't reply, what is wrong with today's "youth" which you think military service will solve?

Because like I said much earlier there are some who would sooner fight for our enemies should a conflict arise.

It's not about questioning obediance to authority and free speech and all that. We have all that.

It's about us vs. them. Knowing our history and experiencing military service will unite our youth whether they come from rich families, orphanges or poor families.

 

[Bast]

I would be more concerned by the fact that although China technically has a mandatory military service, it's not in force, because they have to many volunteers , and can field a 2,5 millions men army with it easily

Yes but some people it's ok because they're looking forward to Chinese hegemony.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

Because like I said much earlier there are some who would sooner fight for our enemies should a conflict arise.

Great, better teach them how to fight quick then.

It's about us vs. them. Knowing our history and experiencing military service will unite our youth whether they come from rich families, orphanges or poor families.

From what people who actually have undertaken military service have already posted, it appears that the reverse is true.

Do you have any evidence that military service will 'unite the nation'?

 

[Julian Delphiki]

Compulsory hockey, perhaps. It instills discipline, respect for authority, team building, and it provides a way for the youth of today to not be swayed by other things.

Or we could make it compulsory cooking school.

Joke, right ?

I'd rather do my military service twice than play hockey - even if i hated army i think it's less evil . Cooking would be ok though.

The UK defnitely needs national service it would give young people life experience and teach them discipline, something many British teenagers dont have.

I'm sorry to say but it really does not work that way. During the 8 months service in Finnish army i was depressed, drunk heavily, gained weight and just felt miserable. Army made me have even stronger dislike for authorities (who i felt had not deserved my obedience/respect in any way). The whole thing felt pointless.

Few people got their **** together during their service, maybe even got in the military career. But military service caused much more problems than it actually "solved". Economic troubles, problems with schools (military service in Finland usually wastes a year, even if shortest service is nowadays 6 months) are all common.

Also, genders are supposed to be equal here in Finland - however, woman may apply to service but are not obligated to. And another wierd thing is that women do not need to cut their hair short, which is required for men (hygienic reasons!).

And since we already have the compulsory service i cannot answer to poll

 

[CartesianFart]

It's about us vs. them. Knowing our history and experiencing military service will unite our youth whether they come from rich families, orphanges or poor families.

What about education of a new kind that can allow the poor,rich,and other social boundaries that can eliminate division instead of military services?

 

[Bast]

Great, better teach them how to fight quick then.

From what people who actually have undertaken military service have already posted, it appears that the reverse is true.

Do you have any evidence that military service will 'unite the nation'?

Did I say I have? I asked a question and I gave an opinion. I didn't say my opinion is definitive nor that everyone else is wrong.

 

[Grisu]

From what people who actually have undertaken military service have already posted, it appears that the reverse is true.

Do you have any evidence that military service will 'unite the nation'?

that certainly has been my experience, if anything I know have less respect for our army than before doing my service having seen the idiocy of it up close. Just because you get screamed at by some instructor doesn't mean that you suddenly learn discipline and respect. Most of the time, you just learn to tune out.

 

[Shaihulud]

I think people who feels obligated to their country should pay higher tax instead. That is the purest form of service that they can do for their country.

 

[PrinceOfLeigh]

Did I say I have? I asked a question and I gave an opinion. I didn't say my opinion is definitive nor that everyone else is wrong.

Fair enough, my apologies.

 

[Masquerouge]

Certainly not. There are better ways to give back to your country, and what's the deal with discipline? I thought parents were supposed to take care of that.

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

No mandatory military service. The government has no right to tell me what's best for me. Nor would having a bunch of unmotivated teens help the military in any way.

 

[Bast]

Ok I will relent, perhaps it's not the best way to win back some of our youth, but it's still worth a thought.

And besides, wars of the future won't be decided by manpower.

 

[CartesianFart]

And besides, wars of the future won't be decided by manpower.

Speaking of futurology,that is quite plausible with the fact of UMV an other drone tests being done in the war in the two campaign.

 

[Elrohir]

Give reasons for your answer.

I think we should have it for young people (males and females) between 18-20, because it will teach them discipline and let them give a little something back to their countries. This is especially relevant for young people in western countries who find it easy to sit around and criticize their governments. This will give them a different perspective and a little taste of what our ancestors fought for in World Wars.

What do you guys think?

The only time I would favor general conscription is if the US is literally invaded (Not just attacked, invaded, as in enemy troops and tanks marching around inside the US, taking territory) and the regular US military, as well as the National Guard are unable to defeat them. In that case, the President could authorize a draft. Otherwise, no thanks.

Conscripts generally make lousy soldiers. They do OK when they see the enemy rampaging through their hometowns - thus, why I wouldn't mind seeing one if the US was actually invaded - but when pressed into service to fight overseas, they generally suck at soldiering. I think conscription would generally lower the quality and effectiveness of the US military. (Not to mention be a violation of American rights) So no thanks, not in the present situation, or in any foreseeable situation in the near future.

 

[plarq]

Ok I will relent, perhaps it's not the best way to win back some of our youth, but it's still worth a thought.

And besides, wars of the future won't be decided by manpower.

That's a good answer. And you can win wars even under domestic opposition.