Compulsory military service

[deyana]

Also known as being 'drafted' in the US.

Was this a good idea? Do you think it should come back? I didn't know this, but even though young men are no longer required to go into service at the age of 18 nowadays, there is still a plan of sorts in place.

'Men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register so that a draft can be readily resumed if needed.'

What are your thoughts on this subject?

[Deleted]

A long time ago, when I was a young man and subject to the Draft, I enlisted to serve my country, they needn't come looking for me. At the time, like many young men, I didnt think it a very good idea to draft fellows who didnt want to serve, And supported their Right to say 'Hell no I wont go!" After all, thats what defending freedom is about.

Then only recently, I saw the profound side effect of our all volunteer military. When Bush wanted to start a war, there were no conscripts to say 'NO!'. Now only those who agree to go to war, will go. There are no longer any families with loved ones in harm's way, who didnt agree to be there.

A secondary effect, which in my opinion is the worst effect, is that the sons of rich men and congressmen rarely serve. No, that lot is left to those of lesser means. The sacrifice made for freedom falls far too frequently on the poor of the world and that is a sad statement of humankind.

I now support the return of the draft, with no exemptions. If your number comes up, you will serve. There are worse things one can do with ones life, other than serve in the military.

[deyana]

CB, I agree with what you say. It IS left up to the poorer citizens to go to war. I know this only too well. So many country boys have left to join the military in the Maritimes, more than any other part of Canada as far as I know. One of my eldest boy's best friends is serving in Afghanistan right now. But it is what he choice to do.

The rich seem to get away with a lot, even nowadays. Nothing changes in that regard it seems.

[deyana]

Spindrift, do the Conscientious Objectors in Switzerland have duties that are military based? Even if they are not in direct combat or have to go to a war zone?

[rattler]

Jun 11, 2010 17:21:20 GMT -5 deyana said:

Spindrift, do the Conscientious Objectors in Switzerland have duties that are military based? Even if they are not in direct combat or have to go to a war zone?

They do, obligatory civils service, e.g. in hospitals, asylums for old, etc. Even if not having to go military they still have to serve.

Rattler

[rattler]

Jun 9, 2010 18:56:26 GMT -5 @coyotebrother said:

-snip- I now support the return of the draft, with no exemptions. If your number comes up, you will serve. There are worse things one can do with ones life, other than serve in the military.

I am fully with you, and I found it sad that the obligatory service was trashed in Spain just when it would have hit my oldest.

An army of conscripts represents the whole society, and is less prone to do stuff society does not want. In Germany (still obligatory) we call it the "citizen-in-uniform" concept, and I think it is the way to go, even if the army is a bit less professional on certain levels (but, as in Germany, I would of cause want to have the professional soldiers as a carreer at the side of the conscripts, else the army would not work).

Rattler

[deyana]

In Germany (still obligatory) we call it the "citizen-in-uniform" concept, and I think it is the way to go,

Does everyone have to serve in the military in Germany? I didn't know this. And how long do they serve for? And does this apply equally to men and women?

[rattler]

After the Cold War ended in 1990 the service times were gradually reduced drastically from the original 18 month to nine month in 2000, and after DEZ 2010 it will be further reduced to 6 month only.

Here the exact time since the start of the obligatory military service in 1957:

01.04.1957 - 31.03.1962 12 month
01.04.1962 - 30.06.1962 15 month
01.07.1962 - 31.12.1972 18 month
01.01.1973 - 30.09.1990 15 month
01.10.1990 - 31.12.1995 12 month
01.01.1996 - 31.12.2001 10 month
01.01.2002 - 30.11.2010 9 month
after 01.12.2010 6 month

Only men have to do obligatory military service in Germany, but of cause women can volunteer.

Large numbers of Germans have had to do the service, though the numbers have become fewer over the years because of the alternative to do civil service of 3 month longer duration than the military service for conscious objectors, and because of the different needs of the army (conscripts do not go on foreign sorties):


Year - Number of draftees

1957-1989 - 5.701.387

1990 - 188.697
1991 - 210.981
1992 - 202.449
1993 - 160.611
1994 - 156.964
1995 - 167.450
1996 - 169.730
1997 - 159.639
1998 - 160.435
1999 - 154.842
2000 - 144.647
2001 - 129.441
2002 - 123.812
2003 - 102.600
2004 - 79.850
2005 - 68.428
2006 - 71.321
2007 - 67.823
2008 - 68.270
2009 - 68.304

Rattler

[Deleted]

Abolished in France some time ago. A waste of time and money but, of course, it kept the unemployment figures down.

[deyana]

Rattler, the way the numbers are going, I can see that there is a high possibility that it may go out altogether in Germany? I think many are very tired of war, those who enroll voluntarily do so because they believe in it, but not everyone wants to go and fight. Not everyone agrees with the governments and what they are doing.

alan, you make a good point. I can see how this would look good on paper, regarding unemployment figures.

[Deleted]

It's a load of crap. Who in their right mind would believe anything our governments tell us? It's all a big conspiracy to keep the numbers down. Waste of money and hypocritical.

[Deleted]

They tell us what they want us to believe. And like sheep most of us follow along.