• Lithuania plans to renew military conscription amid fears over Russia
    136 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Lithuania plans to renew military conscription for the first time since 2008, the president's office said on Tuesday, after growing worries over Russian assertiveness in the Baltic region. "The State Defence Council, taking into account the geopolitical situation and threats to the state's security, decided that the country's defence capabilities need to be strengthened further," the president's office said in a statement. The conscription will be renewed for a five-year period, the office said. "We must reinforce the country's defence capacities. Under new geopolitical circumstances, the army must be properly prepared for the country's armed defence even in times of peace. Today's geopolitical situation requires that we strengthen and speed up the manning of our army. Therefore the State Defence Council has decided that it is necessary to temporarily, for five years, reintroduce compulsory military draft," President Grybauskaitė said. [U]Lithuania's parliament still needs to approve the plan.[/U][/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/defence/lithuania-to-reintroduce-military-conscription.d?id=67261216[/url] [url]http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/uk-lithuania-conscription-idUKKBN0LS1BP20150224[/url] [url]http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0224/682408-ukraine/[/url]
Kinda same rumors floating in Latvia, saying they will take anyone into army between age of 18-50. I am legging it, not a single fucking chance I am getting involved into this, I have Latvian citizenship/passport , I just yesterday applied for Irish Citizenship/Passport (I have all requirements), this whole Russia vs Ukraine is such a mess, all my friends in Ukraine were forced to drop whatever they were doing and go to army forcefully (some fled the country however) and now same thing happens in Latvia/Baltic States too.
[QUOTE=demotech;47202995]Source: [url]http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/defence/lithuania-to-reintroduce-military-conscription.d?id=67261216[/url] [url]http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/uk-lithuania-conscription-idUKKBN0LS1BP20150224[/url] [url]http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0224/682408-ukraine/[/url][/QUOTE] Dont be worried, its been mandatory here since the our independence. Alot of young guys go through it and its absolutely nothing bad, you can ask Jaanus. He went last year I believe. You end up with a good physical form, learn about teamwork and other useful skills and you are paid for your 8 or 11 months of service. I sent my papers in and I am going next summer. Cant wait.
[QUOTE=markedOne;47203085]Dont be worried, its been mandatory here since the our independence. Alot of young guys go through it and its absolutely nothing bad, you can ask Jaanus. He went last year I believe. You end up with a good physical form, learn about teamwork and other useful skills and you are paid for your 8 or 11 months of service. I sent my papers in and I am going next summer. Cant wait.[/QUOTE] I think the fear is because now there's the possibility of actual fighting if you get conscripted. Getting in shape and learning about teamwork isn't going to be very useful if you get blown to shit by a hundred T-72s as they roll into your country.
I don't mind getting military training, but the thought of a future where I might have to fight some assholes and potentially die scares me. A lot.
[QUOTE=markedOne;47203085]Dont be worried, its been mandatory here since the our independence. Alot of young guys go through it and its absolutely nothing bad, you can ask Jaanus. He went last year I believe. You end up with a good physical form, learn about teamwork and other useful skills and you are paid for your 8 or 11 months of service. I sent my papers in and I am going next summer. Cant wait.[/QUOTE] Absolutely worth it. Anyone who complains about the service is a twat
[QUOTE=Jaanus;47203259]Absolutely worth it. Anyone who complains about the service is a twat[/QUOTE] That's not really the point though. In peacetime, having military training can be a huge benefit to you with learning teamwork skills and getting into shape. But the equation has changed completely now. There is a legitimate threat of war. Getting conscripted carries with it a very real chance of death now.
Forced conscription is bullshit.
I respect the guys who volunteer for military but conscription is pretty scary. First of all it's just admitting to Russia that we fear them. And if Russia wanted to take Lithuania, it could do that in a matter of days/weeks. All of these conscripts and the potential future leaders and great minds will just get put through a meat grinder.
conscription sucks
[QUOTE=markedOne;47203085]Dont be worried, its been mandatory here since the our independence. Alot of young guys go through it and its absolutely nothing bad, you can ask Jaanus. He went last year I believe. You end up with a good physical form, learn about teamwork and other useful skills and you are paid for your 8 or 11 months of service. I sent my papers in and I am going next summer. Cant wait.[/QUOTE] I go to gym and climb around trees/mountainous terrain - good physical form check I play with FPARMA - teamwork check. Study at uni - useful skills check Why do i need army now? :v: Even though I had a fun time during 2-day riigikaitse sessions (country defense), army in modern context is a waste of time. [editline]24th February 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Jaanus;47203259]Absolutely worth it. Anyone who complains about the service is a twat[/QUOTE] twat is something you can see in a mirror lmao
[QUOTE=Dark RaveN;47203450] Why do i need army now? :v: [/QUOTE] Sadly, this becomes more a case of "why does the army need you". Pure and simple, the army needs your meat to stop enemy tanks. But that happens only in the worst case scenario. Conscription is a great thing. A buddy of mine was among the last ones to be conscripted and after a couple of weeks he started enjoying it. He made new friends, exercised, earned money and got tons of stories to tell when we are having a pint Yes, you're all thinking that conscription leads to death but it rarely does. Seriously, think about it. In the present time, who can invade another country without severe repercussions? Lithuania is not conscripting soldiers to send them to die. Lithuania is conscripting soldiers to show a possible invader that their land will not be taken without a fight. So if you get conscripted, don't be a tool and run away. Think of it as an experience that you all young adults need to go through and after it you'll be pretty proud of what you have achieved.
[QUOTE=Savant231A;47203501]Sadly, this becomes more a case of "why does the army need you". Pure and simple, the army needs your meat to stop enemy tanks. But that happens only in the worst case scenario. Conscription is a great thing. A buddy of mine was among the last ones to be conscripted and after a couple of weeks he started enjoying it. He made new friends, exercised, earned money and got tons of stories to tell when we are having a pint Yes, you're all thinking that conscription leads to death but it rarely does. Seriously, think about it. In the present time, who can invade another country without severe repercussions? Lithuania is not conscripting soldiers to send them to die. Lithuania is conscripting soldiers to show a possible invader that their land will not be taken without a fight. So if you get conscripted, don't be a tool and run away. Think of it as an experience that you all young adults need to go through and after it you'll be pretty proud of what you have achieved.[/QUOTE] Why would you want to be a conscript? You throw away 1+ years of your life to serving the military. Instead, you could be working a better paying job and saving money to invest.
[QUOTE]Under the proposal, compulsory military service would apply to men between the ages of 19 and 26. The plan is to draft between 3,000 and 3,500 men each year. Exemptions would apply to university students, single fathers, men with health issues or otherwise unsuitable for military service. [/QUOTE] Actually there aren't that many chances to get conscripted even if this legislation passes the Seimas. Most young Lithuanians with a functioning brain end up in a university anyway. Though this probably means that I'll get conscripted after I graduate given that the conscription should last 5 years.
[QUOTE=isreal?;47203558]Why would you want to be a conscript? You throw away 1+ years of your life to serving the military. Instead, you could be working a better paying job and saving money to invest.[/QUOTE] Because, unfortunately, I'm emotionally tied to conscription. Some really great people who I never had the chance of meeting have perished defending me and my family during our War of Independence. No matter how unlikely, if forced conscription were implemented, I would serve my time. Not because I want to, but because I must. You have the privilege of not having a war sweep through your country so I completely understand your point of view. Heck, even I would like to invest my skills and expand my knowledge but sometimes, you just have to do as you are told and grab a rifle and do guard duty.
It is your duty as a citizen to uphold and help maintain the very way of life everyone is now so accostumed to, and consequently take for granted. YOU ARE the pillar that society rests upon. This is no matter of being deprived of a mere year of your time (in return for which you actually DO get fit, learn discipline and teamwork, clarity of mind and focus, and most importantly, meet fucking awesome people), no, this is about ensuring a future for our children and fellow citizens where they may have the opportunity to freely live a life of peace. But if you'd prefer to run and betray your home, you are free to do this as well - after all, the ones who ensured you this second freedom are out there, fighting for you. This has nothing to do with politics and governments. This is about Home. What is your home worth to you? I volunteered, and am shipping off this summer with emphasis on becoming a company medic to the toughest infantry battallion of Estonia. If Russia does go nuts and invade, I'll likely be one of the first on the frontlines, and chances are I may die. Of course I don't want to die, nobody does!, but if it happens whilst fulfilling the duties that I MUST perform in order to protect my fellows, whether too weak to fight, already by my side or just saving themselves and fleeing, then it has been a worthwhile death. Just remember, ye of little faith, to remember the dead - they do not ask more of you.
[QUOTE=Pantz Master;47203278]That's not really the point though. In peacetime, having military training can be a huge benefit to you with learning teamwork skills and getting into shape. [B]But the equation has changed completely now. There is a legitimate threat of war. [/B] Getting conscripted carries with it a very real chance of death now.[/QUOTE] Actually, that [I]is[/I] the point of conscription. [editline]24th February 2015[/editline] You can't say it's fine to have in peacetime then complain about it when war is on the horizon.
It's pretty dumb that in the year 2015 there is still a risk of territorial aggression war breaking out between civilized countries. Imagine shooting at poor bastard who was also conscripted. Imagine if you've happened to have played Counterstrike or dota with that guy before. What if he was also a facepuncher. 2015, the world is so connected but people still kill each other lol.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;47203910]Actually, that [I]is[/I] the point of conscription. [editline]24th February 2015[/editline] You can't say it's fine to have in peacetime then complain about it when war is on the horizon.[/QUOTE] I'm just trying to justify their fears. Some other countries have conscription regardless of the imminent threat, and thats what I was comparing this to.
lmao all of these people who take independence for granted
[QUOTE=arleitiss;47203066]Kinda same rumors floating in Latvia, saying they will take anyone into army between age of 18-50. I am legging it, not a single fucking chance I am getting involved into this, I have Latvian citizenship/passport , I just yesterday applied for Irish Citizenship/Passport (I have all requirements), this whole Russia vs Ukraine is such a mess, all my friends in Ukraine were forced to drop whatever they were doing and go to army forcefully (some fled the country however) and now same thing happens in Latvia/Baltic States too.[/QUOTE] Get the flying fuck out of there.
[QUOTE=Hammerz;47204068]lmao all of these people who take independence for granted[/QUOTE] That's a pretty shitposty way of expressing it, but yeah, I basically agree. As an American, I think a lot of other Americans forget that when our country was founded, every able-bodied male was considered part of the militia and expected to fight if need be to defend the nation. I'm not fundamentally opposed to the draft when used in times of national crisis, I have more of an issue with drafted soldiers being sent off to fight political games as in Vietnam, and the sons of the rich and powerful escaping the draft. I understand someone leaving a country they have no personal connection to to avoid being drafted, but fleeing your homeland because you don't want to help defend the society that made you who you are is pretty shitty.
[QUOTE=catbarf;47204123]That's a pretty shitposty way of expressing it, but yeah, I basically agree. As an American, I think a lot of other Americans forget that when our country was founded, every able-bodied male was considered part of the militia and expected to fight if need be to defend the nation. I'm not fundamentally opposed to the draft when used in times of national crisis, I have more of an issue with drafted soldiers being sent off to fight political games as in Vietnam, and the sons of the rich and powerful escaping the draft. I understand someone leaving a country they have no personal connection to to avoid being drafted, but fleeing your homeland because you don't want to help defend the society that made you who you are is pretty shitty.[/QUOTE] Under the Militia Act of 1903 (or 1901, I forget), all men 18 to 45 is considered part of the militia in the US.
patriotism is running high in this thread, feels a little weird to me idk, maybe it's in times like these where it comes out rightfully when under threat, everyone sticks together in society? best of luck and good on you for doing conscription though, it is a good thing to give back to your country in a way i'm on the fence when it comes to conscription, but if you knew for a fact that it would be for the possibility of defending your street and family against an invader, it's the right thing to do i think
[QUOTE=Hammerz;47204068]lmao all of these people who take independence for granted[/QUOTE] Being born to a country and not having the means to leave it does not make you a slave to it. I'm not arguing whether or not someone [I]should[/I] defend the country they were born in, [I]or fight for their government's interests elsewhere[/I], but rather that if a country's own people do not wish to fight, that country has made its choice.
[QUOTE=Pantz Master;47203278]That's not really the point though. In peacetime, having military training can be a huge benefit to you with learning teamwork skills and getting into shape. But the equation has changed completely now. There is a legitimate threat of war. Getting conscripted carries with it a very real chance of death now.[/QUOTE] Can't exactly vouch for the Baltic states on this, but on my first day of conscription they told us that pretty much the only reason it's mandatory is to create such a sizeable army that it would be economically inefficient to invade us. So in a sense we have conscription not to prepare for a war, but to prevent one from ever happening.
There have also been talk about Sweden bringing back conscription. It was cancelled when it was my turn :/
[QUOTE=Buck.;47203408]I respect the guys who volunteer for military but conscription is pretty scary. First of all it's just admitting to Russia that we fear them. And if Russia wanted to take Lithuania, it could do that in a matter of days/weeks. All of these conscripts and the potential future leaders and great minds will just get put through a meat grinder.[/QUOTE] I don't see how trying to defend yourself is showing fear. Fear would be capitulating/making concessions by leaving NATO and the EU and trying to forge closer ties with Russia. Do you call it fear when a schoolboy defends himself from a bully?
[QUOTE=bitches;47204263]Being born to a country and not having the means to leave it does not make you a slave to it. I'm not arguing whether or not someone [I]should[/I] defend the country they were born in, [I]or fight for their government's interests elsewhere[/I], but rather that if a country's own people do not wish to fight, that country has made its choice.[/QUOTE] I really don't understand what for are you trying to argue, because if the people of a democratic country do not feel as if the country is their own or they feel their country is not worth fighting for, of course they will not fight for it. There are always the means of evading mobilisation, that is not a worry. Just tell the recruiters that you hallucinate and hear voices and they won't want anything to do with you. I also can't really recall the last time "THE PEOPLE" have made an unanimous decision opposing a war.
[QUOTE=Hamsteronfire;47204259]patriotism is running high in this thread, feels a little weird to me idk, maybe it's in times like these where it comes out rightfully when under threat, everyone sticks together in society? best of luck and good on you for doing conscription though, it is a good thing to give back to your country in a way i'm on the fence when it comes to conscription, but if you knew for a fact that it would be for the possibility of defending your street and family against an invader, it's the right thing to do i think[/QUOTE] I wonder if i can find Joazzz's post on destroying militarism and patriotism, it would be perfect for this thread.
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