https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChzO9_p7078
Generally speaking, mandatory military service in the United States is unnecessary today as there isn't a need for the number of soldiers today as there was in the past. However, many countries which do enforce a system of mandatory military service argue that it impresses a sense of discipline and respect for one's country into the minds of young people. Others argue that it instead encourages the use of war as a form of manufactured commodity which serves the rich and powerful of a nation at the expense of the young and poor.
No
Maybe. I just don't want the US military industrial complex to be continually bloated. I've seen it be very useful in South Korea, however.
I couldn't imagine being required to waste 2 + years of my life, when the time can be spent studding for a degree . Unless the country is in direct threat, there is no point in joining the military unless you need the money/don't have any field of study your passionate about. Why risk your life fighting wars for some suit in Washington trying to just profit off it.
Mandatory military service for the U.S would be unethical to me. For one, we have the most bloated military budget to begin with, that would only make things worse. Second, the military can hardly take care of who they have. Third, the military is usually down sizing, specially when conflicts start ending. Lastly, that is implying that the military makes better citizens, which in my opinion after being around the military all my life It doesn't. Like any career you have really good people and really bad people.
If the U.S like other similar European countries in which they actual take care of their citizens I would say maybe. But, until then fuck that.
If conflict happens that can rattle the patriotism or nationalism for one reason or another, you won't have a shortage of recruits. Forcing everybody to be able to be called at any time from the moment they reach adulthood fight for and potentially die for their country (and, in best case scenarios, basically be pushed through training regimens and then forced to idle at a base for several months) is not the path one should be looking for in this age.
The draft is retarded, unless we need to full blown conquer other nations we honestly don't need it
In a big country like the US there is no need for draft in normal times, in a huge war like world war it might be needed. So no need.
Conscription works best in countries with smaller populations since it increases the nations ability to defend itself against bigger players without huge maintenance upkeep. And it is important for that reason alone to those countries, it is not about completely defeating the enemy but rather make invasion so costly it is not worth doing.
"Respect for one's country" is not a thing that should be sought to be instilled in citizens per se, what one ought to aim at is respect for certain values of the country - not some kind of unconditional respect for the state itself and it's institutions - and that is a thing that the military (at least in my experience and thus belief) can actively hinder.
We need critical citizens, always looking to improve their country - not servile citizens looking to worship it and denouncing all those who disrespect it, regardless of reason.
We do not need to instill arbitrary discipline at any cost, and I would go so far as argue that when mandatory service exists, so do jobs and positions and an inner culture that encourage the exact opposite, because disgruntled conscripts can be very creative in their thousand tiny mutinies and laziness becomes an act of revolt (a thing always attractive to some young people).
Fuck no. Its a waste of precious time. I went through it for 2 years because otherwise I'm gonna be in prison. Everyone you meet in the army would be happy to skip it.
Regulars (people who worked in the military as career soldiers) see us national servicemen as slaves, we're expendable and low paid slaves.
It'll make you hate your country even faster.
Oh yea, you're an athlete? Say bye to your career if you ever get injured.
I am of two minds:
On the one hand, just the fact that we'd be forcing people to mandatory military service would suddenly springboard a massive amount of civic awareness as well as drag out some of the worst parts of our society such as the fact that our schools are failing badly enough that the US Military has to turn people away because they're not educationally prepared.
However on the second, the goal of creating civic pride should be in effective policy and a nation that champions and walks the talk it gives. It shouldn't be enforced through rank and file because they doesn't instill the kind of nationalism that leads to stable and bountiful growth.
Being actually in the Military, it is amazing that we can afford the ability to be a volunteer force in America, and I think it is best when a person desires to be in that service. No matter what situation.
But I also see the benefit even from light conscription (about <2 years) can have on a person who seemingly doesn't have much going on in their lives with some European examples. It can add structure to a person who lacks any of it in their life, and in the European context, is little more than a guaranteed job with little risk. At least a civil service under the "hybrid structure" in the video is generally an acceptable idea.
Now of course there will be people who will never be happy about it. So I ultimately prefer keeping it volunteer unless situations become extreme.
Since when were you in the military Tudd?
If that is actually Tudd (which I find likely), the guy is currently (and has been for some time) in the USAF, IIRC.
[Sargon of Akkad] Red Cortez
https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/716/6e71af64-00f8-4526-bc12-371acfc9e8e0/image.png
fucking lmao
I've never had to deal with the idea of conscription (being in the UK) but to me it's indefensible. You don't get to force someone into the military, knowing they could possibly go into combat and be injured or killed, get PTSD, etc. Doesn't matter if you think it's cowardly or selfish. Nobody gets to tell someone else what to risk their life for, ever.
The military can be beneficial to one's character develop and can offer more than just "being prepared for war." However, there's already too many people who join the US military frivolously and for superficial reasons. Some of them being the types who are shit-bags during their enlistment and become an entitled veteran demanding respect everywhere they go, despite doing little to actually deserve it; other than joining. If someone is going to join the military, they have to want it and they have to understand what they're in for. Especially during times when facing combat is a very real possibility.
China’s been threatening to invade us for decades and all we get is mandatory military service (conscription) for 4 months (used to be 1 year)
South Korea still has it too but thats because of it’s problems with NK, the US’s got no angry neighbors threatening to go to war with it, so i dont see the meaning of it being mandatory
No, some are anti-social or fat or whatever reasons. They should stay away and let people who are better in shape go in military if they want to.
Im a fan of this for The Netherlands. Big ass countries with a massive military budget not so much though.
you do know normally they give body checks and if you're not fit you won't be allowed in anyways right
like if you're way too fat or skinny or have frog extremity
They wanted me in the military even though I was fat and anti-social. Screw that.
I legitimately think that mandatory service is such a disgusting violation of personal liberties and autonomy that it is unexcusable even if a country is going to lose a war without it.
Just no. I am going to waste 8 months for absolutely nothing
but it's supposed to put you in shape you dummy
Oh Hell no Here's a bunch of idiots who want to make it mandatory that luckily they haven't made it. The closest we have is pre-military instruction that more than one hates. Unless there's a threat of war or a VALID reason for it (Don't come with the excuse of patriotism!) Then no, I don't see any reason to lose x months or years of my life unnecessarily or because I have to "give" my life for a dictator or a president who is a complete asshole because he wants to. And there are still a lot of people that "You like it or not, you're going to do military service anyway otherwise, enjoy go to prison, or enjoy getting fines.".
Honestly if you're waging a war and not enough people are volunteering for service, obviously its not a war worth fighting.
The US already has one of the largest and most capable armies on the planet with over a million soldiers and the best military hardware in the world. Why on earth would the US need mandatory military service?
Hey, here's a better idea - mandatory conscription for criminals! And they automatically get front line duty! That will teach them to stop breaking the law!
..... I wish this wasn't a sentiment I have actually heard expressed in real life.
Yes, supposed to but guess what, it doesn't always work. Not in my case. I got in shape outside of military.
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