Is Mandatory Government and Military service that bad?

[Rosmana]

I could NEVER be in the military, ever, gunfire gives me panic attacks, I am 100% useless.

They need to draft somebody else.

You probably wouldn't be allowed past basic with that kind of problem.

That and I am to old, plus I do not know my countries system.

No idea why, but I really resent myself for it.

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

I imagine it being similar to how the military does it now.
You pick 5 jobs you'd like to do in order of preference and that gets weighed against what jobs need filling.

I could NEVER be in the military, ever, gunfire gives me panic attacks, I am 100% useless.

They need to draft somebody else.

Common misconception, not everyone is on the frontlines, in fact, not everyone even has a combat role. There’s plenty of positions as engineers, researchers, scientists, etc.

[Rosmana]

I could NEVER be in the military, ever, gunfire gives me panic attacks, I am 100% useless.

They need to draft somebody else.

Common misconception, not everyone is on the frontlines, in fact, not everyone even has a combat role. There’s plenty of positions as engineers, researchers, scientists, etc.

But they are still going to need basic training, and that will not end well for me.

[Genivaria]

You probably wouldn't be allowed past basic with that kind of problem.

That and I am to old, plus I do not know my countries system.

No idea why, but I really resent myself for it.

I know the feeling, I heavily regret not enlisting out of high school, tried just a couple years ago but now ADHD is considered a disqualifier, that and I've gotten overweight.

[Nilokeras]

Beyond the obvious 'forced servitude is bad' and 'government should serve the people, not the other way around' points, conscription has historically done little for the 'building character' or 'bringing people together' parts that pro-conscription types drool over in their suspiciously volkisch fantasies. See: officer corps, military bureaucracies and rampant abuse.

[Rosmana]

That and I am to old, plus I do not know my countries system.

No idea why, but I really resent myself for it.

I know the feeling, I heavily regret not enlisting out of high school, tried just a couple years ago but now ADHD is considered a disqualifier, that and I've gotten overweight.

Well, it's worse for me, I have NO education degree, autism, no drivers license, panic attacks when guns are fired near me, and 0 patriotism.

And I am too old.

Edit: But i guess it is more bad when you DO feel a sense of patriotism...

[Albrenia]

I'd be useless to the military. That aside, I don't think people should be forced to serve in the military in all but the most extreme circumstances.

[Major-Tom]

I'm not a fan. Some European countries, like Finland or until the last decade, Germany, still had conscription. And, yeah, I guess it is beneficial in creating cohesiveness among the populace when people of all backgrounds have to come together and serve for 6 months to a year, doing the same work.

But, at the same time, it just seems antiquated and a bit rigid. Not a great idea.

[Auzkhia]

You should have a choice. I would never want to be in the military.

Would one choose specific jobs or would be assigned on? Like, I wouldn't want to lose friends or loved ones and have to move away from them.

I say specific jobs, although everyone should take a test to get an idea on what their good at but not forced into a specific one.

Though, I think eventually work for a living as a necessity should be eventually done away with and society, however it may be organized, should provide basic needs and you could work for extra money to fill your time.

You should have a choice. I would never want to be in the military.

Would one choose specific jobs or would be assigned on? Like, I wouldn't want to lose friends or loved ones and have to move away from them.

I imagine it being similar to how the military does it now.
You pick 5 jobs you'd like to do in order of preference and that gets weighed against what jobs need filling.

I'm sure I couldn't go into the military now that I think about because I'm psychiatric medicated. I had to register but probably could get it deferred anyway.

[Intaglio]

Yes, it is bad. I believe that certain jobs are something you need to feel called to. Military service is one of those things. I have no interest in going into war; I am neither physically fit enough for it nor do I have any desire for it. Why should snyone have thir life ptentially uprooted and torn asunder for something they may not even care about?

[Intaglio]

I support conscription, if for no other reason than to straighten out kids and teach strict discipline and obedience

Because the only way to straighten kids out and discipline them is forced participation. Seriously, though? It's not the military's job to go straightening out other people's children, and there are plenty of people who walk a straight path on their own. Also, obedience is not always a good thing

[Adamede]

I don’t think people would care so much if we had 60 thousand dead Americans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Don't think they would care, or don't think they wouldn't care?

I don’t think they would care if they’re volunteers or not.

[Saiwania]

Its not that bad in my view. At the very least- it'd give me a job if such a draft wasn't too picky about who is admitted in. If I can't figure out anything I enjoy doing, its better that I just be given stuff that I don't enjoy doing, but will otherwise still be fine because of it. 100% productivity squeezed out of the part of a national population that can be utilized, what is not to like?

[Hakinda Herseyi Duymak istiyorum]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

[Adamede]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

Uh, no. Compulsory military service goes all the way back to at least antiquity. Fascism only came about after the First World War.

Also why focus on Greece especially, since your beloved Turkey also has/has compulsory military service as well, and unlike Greece has actually used that military to invade other countries.

[Stellar Colonies]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

It isn't fascist, but I do agree that it is usually immoral for countries like Greece or Turkey to conscript their people for mandatory military service.

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

Uh, no. Compulsory military service goes all the way back to at least antiquity. Fascism only came about after the First World War.

Also why focus on Greece specially?

I think he/she is a Turkish nationalist.

[Adamede]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

It isn't fascist, but I do agree that it is usually immoral for countries like Greece or Turkey to conscript their people for mandatory military service.

Uh, no. Compulsory military service goes all the way back to at least antiquity. Fascism only came about after the First World War.

Also why focus on Greece specially?

I think he/she is a Turkish nationalist.

I know they are. It’s a rhetorical question to try and expose their bias.

[Stellar Colonies]

It isn't fascist, but I do agree that it is usually immoral for countries like Greece or Turkey to conscript their people for mandatory military service.


I think he/she is a Turkish nationalist.

I know they are. It’s a rhetorical question to try and expose their bias.

Ah.

[The Marlborough]

The draft was ended for a reason in the US, and that’s because the government used it to send tens of thousands of American soldiers to their deaths in an extremely unpopular war.

Anyway, the draft isn’t really gone. Selective service is still a thing in the US, which means that if the draft is needed for another war they’ll just bring it back and start drafting people.

I do think that the Vietnam draft is not the best example, as it forced people into combat, I think allowing people to have at least some autonomy when it comes to how they serve would avoid unesscary death and grief.

Most Vietnam War troops weren't even draftees, they were volunteers. Most draftees were sent to fill garrisons in places like Germany or Okinawa.


Regarding OP, I do think some mandatory government service is a good idea though I'm not sure it should be military - volunteer armies do tend to have a number of advantages (albeit also some disadvantages). If some form of military component is deemed necessary, then perhaps mandatory service in one of the reserve components.

[The Marlborough]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

Ah yes, the notoriously fascist Third French Republic, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark etc.

[Wizlandia]

Depends on the nation. In my opinion mandatory service is only justified if its militarily necessary. I'm strongly against instituting national service for this reason:

...allow people from all walks of life to learn more about this nation and to also help contribute to society besides taxes. It would also teach respect and help build up values like honesty, strength and courage.

For the US and other large nations, there isn't a significant military need for national service, so its a bad thing IMO. But for smaller nations it may be more of a necessity.

[Hakinda Herseyi Duymak istiyorum]

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

Uh, no. Compulsory military service goes all the way back to at least antiquity. Fascism only came about after the First World War.

Also why focus on Greece especially, since your beloved Turkey also has/has compulsory military service as well, and unlike Greece has actually used that military to invade other countries.

I don't know, Greece was the first country that came to my mind. I think it was the first country that came to my mind because the Greek government increased its military personnel in the Aegean Sea to scare the Turks. I'm not particularly focused on anyone, I'm sorry if I bothered you, I'm just saying.

Compulsory military service is a product of fascist ideology. For example, Greece's extension of compulsory military service for 12 months. No one should be forced to die or kill for the homeland, because there are conscientious people in the world who reject weapons and borders.

(Image)

It isn't fascist, but I do agree that it is usually immoral for countries like Greece or Turkey to conscript their people for mandatory military service.

Why do you think it's not a fascist idea ? I don't want to be a soldier, but I have to live in a government that wants to make me a soldier. The European Union starts intellectually after Yugoslavia

[Postauthoritarian America]

Mandatory national service would not be bad. Mandatory national service with loopholes for the rich and powerful, which is the way it would be implemented under capitalism, is just as awful as everything else under capitalism.

[Cordel One]

Mandatory national service would not be bad. Mandatory national service with loopholes for the rich and powerful, which is the way it would be implemented under capitalism, is just as awful as everything else under capitalism.

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one

[The Marlborough]

Uh, no. Compulsory military service goes all the way back to at least antiquity. Fascism only came about after the First World War.

Also why focus on Greece especially, since your beloved Turkey also has/has compulsory military service as well, and unlike Greece has actually used that military to invade other countries.

I don't know, Greece was the first country that came to my mind. I think it was the first country that came to my mind because the Greek government increased its military personnel in the Aegean Sea to scare the Turks. I'm not particularly focused on anyone, I'm sorry if I bothered you, I'm just saying.

It isn't fascist, but I do agree that it is usually immoral for countries like Greece or Turkey to conscript their people for mandatory military service.

Why do you think it's not a fascist idea ? I don't want to be a soldier, but I have to live in a government that wants to make me a soldier. The European Union starts intellectually after Yugoslavia

Because conscription predates fascism by thousands of years. The first record of conscription iirc comes from the time of Hammurabi. The fyrd was the main component of Anglo-Saxon armies and was composed of the drafted freemen in each shire.