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

[nivi]

I don't get why people say that conscripts are not professional or good soldiers.
Wanna know why our airforce is so kickass? Becuase we got freaking millions of people to choose from and only the cream of the crop gets there.

But a country that doesn't have much of a threat against it doesn't need it.

 

[Bill3000]

I don't get why people say that conscripts are not professional or good soldiers.

2 HP in Civ3, 0 EXP in Civ4.

More importantly, conscripts are trained hastily, and not everyone is suited for the military. Morale of a conscript won't be as good as a professional soldier either, because the conscript may not like the idea in the first place.

 

[nivi]

2 HP in Civ3, 0 EXP in Civ4.

More importantly, conscripts are trained hastily, and not everyone is suited for the military. Morale of a conscript won't be as good as a professional soldier either, because the conscript may not like the idea in the first place.

Everyone not suited to the army doesn't get there (aka profile 21). Everyone who serve in combat units do their job and do it well. And what makes you think the morale of professional soldiers is better? Didn't hear about all the retention problem the US has?

 

[StarWorms]

Definitely not. Forcing people into the military will inhibit those going to university - those that in the future will play a key role as scientists, in the health service etc.

 

[Xanikk999]

No, we all knew how well that worked during Nam....

 

[Swedishguy]

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

Fortuently I'm psychologically unstable and don't have to do it.

 

[Admiral Kutzov]

OT - xanikk, that sig has me

One of our "eloquent" retired generals here in the land of guns recently made the argument that the US involvement in Iraq has lasted so long is that the general public has no "investment" in the war and that if there was a draft, people wouldn't have put up with the war so long "because 'they' volunteered for dangerous duty"

Disclaimer, I did my time prior to gulf war one so I've never been shot at in anger.

Retention problems are a democratic way of looking at this. If the war is worth fighting, the people will go. See the spike in US enlistment after 9/11 (i.e. Pat Tillman). If the people don't support the war, you get enlistment problems (like now).

Contrary to Mr. Kerry, not only the idiots enlist.

Universal service (In the US) is stupid, but the comment that it would take away from the smart people doing something worthwhile is offensive.

 

[CaptainF]

Absolutely not.

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

Eh, I'm not sure that would work in America.

I do think there are definite virtues in the Starship Troopers style government.

i.e. Political rights are gained through civil or military service. I think I might support a change of government of that type.

 

[Rossiya]

Males and females service should be split. If not, there would be too much spanking.

 

[Xanikk999]

Eh, I'm not sure that would work in America.

I do think there are definite virtues in the Starship Troopers style government.

i.e. Political rights are gained through civil or military service. I think I might support a change of government of that type.

Wow, i hope you dont think only people who served in the government or the military, opinions matter.

 

[PrincepsAmerica]

Wow, i hope you dont think only people who served in the government or the military, opinions matter.

I think those who voluntarily submit to serve the community have proven that they value said community to a greater extent than someone who does not risk their life for said community. As such they are more likely to have the community's best interests at heart.

It's not something I'm gung-ho about but it's a possible form of government that I don't think has gotten nearly enough consideration in most circles.

 

[Xanikk999]

I think those who voluntarily submit to serve the community have proven that they value said community to a greater extent than someone who does not risk their life for said community. As such they are more likely to have the community's best interests at heart.

It's not something I'm gung-ho about but it's a possible form of government that I don't think has gotten nearly enough consideration in most circles.

I see, i think you would be more suited to ancient rome then a modern democracy then.

 

[bob bobato]

To all the people who said 'yes'. Are you in the army, and do you want to be? Even if you'll always be on the offensive, never 'defending your country' (ie US)?

 

[Irish Caesar]

The US military doesn't want a draft, the US people don't want a draft...

Sounds like a resounding "no."

 

[LucyDuke]

Yes. If and only if the military is purely defensive and never shipped overseas. Ever. Otherwise no. (I didn't read the whole thread.)

 

[Xanikk999]

Yes. If and only if the military is purely defensive and never shipped overseas. Ever. Otherwise no. (I didn't read the whole thread.)

Would women such as yourself have to join?

Or is it a men only draft like vietnam?

 

[VX250]

FANTASTIC IDEA.

Hats off to you, Bast!

 

[sysyphus]

Before we teach people to kill, perhaps we should think about teaching them to help other people?

Why not compulsory community service? Much more productive and valuable to a society.

 

[plarq]

Yep, compulsory community service. I like that idea, love peace and understanding inside our nation. Let those bloodth... I mean real patriots join the military.