Poll: Do you support compulsory military service?

[SageRuffin]

You mean a draft when there doesn't need to be one?

I'm already in the service, and even I disagree with that. I can understand wanting someone to protect their way of life, but forcing someone to take up arms seems a bit extreme.

 

[emeraldrafael]

And to the 30 women thing, its a case study. I'ms orry, I do jobs most women dont apply for so I dont get the benefit of having a huge amount of women to question.

Exactly. So don't make claims like "Thats the problem with Women's rights. They want all the good, but not the bad that comes with it." You have only spoken to 30-ish women, who sound like they are not well-educated. Come back when you've done some real research. If you still feel like you can make that claim, then we can talk.

Oh I still feel I could. My mom and my dad have verified what I siad knowing people from where they work, and both work in large companies.

Actually.. most anyone I could ask in my family or even just anyone I know that works would say so. I just wouldnt have their solid numbers.

And I dont think the statistics of women who do "blue collar" work (stuff like sewer cleaning and things like that) would help either.

 

[archvile93]

No, because in addition to the ethical concerns and the fact that it is restricting freedom without the due process of law, some people are just not cut out for the military. I, for example, would probably lose it about a month in and shoot my drill sergeant. I'm also not what you'd call physically capable. Hell my active heart rate is actually lower than resting.

 

[kickyourass]

Yes, but ONLY under the following conditions: 1) it is only done for the sake of practicality (Like in the case of Israel, where almost every single one of the neighboring countries would gladly wipe them off the map if given the chance). 2) The one being drafted gets to choose their branch of the military. 3) Anyone who is getting sent to a combat zone needs to receive proper training, this may be the most important.

There are probably dozens of other case by case circumstances that would come into it, but I think these would be the most important to think about with CMS.

 

[GeorgW]

We don't have it in Sweden, and I like the way it is. It's seen as a guaranteed job and something for really strong and smart people. We don't just let anybody in!

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

And to the 30 women thing, its a case study. I'ms orry, I do jobs most women dont apply for so I dont get the benefit of having a huge amount of women to question.

Exactly. So don't make claims like "Thats the problem with Women's rights. They want all the good, but not the bad that comes with it." You have only spoken to 30-ish women, who sound like they are not well-educated. Come back when you've done some real research. If you still feel like you can make that claim, then we can talk.

Oh I still feel I could. My mom and my dad have verified what I siad knowing people from where they work, and both work in large companies.

Actually.. most anyone I could ask in my family or even just anyone I know that works would say so. I just wouldnt have their solid numbers.

And I dont think the statistics of women who do "blue collar" work (stuff like sewer cleaning and things like that) would help either.

That's still nowhere near enough people to make a sweeping generalization like that. If you want to say that all women want only the good parts of equality but not the bad parts, make sure that all of them do. Research, not hearsay.

That would be like saying that all women like Twilight because some of the ones around you do. I haven't met a single one who does, yet I'm sure there are people who could make the claim that all the women they know do.

 

[Lady Whitenoise]

I don't see why not, but as mentioned before, it depends on the country. We have it where I live, and though I'm not sure of all the details, I think the system is pretty flexible.

As far as I know, it's compulsory to spend a year in the military for all men that has turned 18, but you can opt to do civil service instead, which can be working at schools or kinder gardens or something similar. You're not allowed to do military service if you don't meet certain demands, like if you're very near sighted (I know because my father wasn't allowed to do service for that very reason). You'll be allowed to finish education you've started, but I'm not sure how things are about jobs. Also, you can opt out if you're a pacifist. Women doesn't have to do the year, I believe (though the rules may be changed soon), but a lot still join up. I would have, if I hadn't had problems with injuries and asthma.

I'm pretty sure the ones who do the year aren't sent into real combat at all, but I know they're put through drills and combat practice. Through friends and family, I've heard stories about everything from long combat simulations in the forest in the middle of the winter, periods of four hours of sleep a night and being so tired you can barely follow orders, to spending a night off in the closest town, practical jokes in the barracks, and the night shift as a watch. It's not all bad, and everyone I know got a lot of good things out of it.

Oh, and you can get free education. From getting a license to drive trucks, to becoming a freaking engineer(if memory serves), though the latter obviously takes more than a year, and there's strings attatched.

So, yes. I support CMS. When it comes to the system in my country, at least.

 

[hawkeye52]

Not to do military service as a compulsary but a choice between that and the civil service such as hospital work or nursing homes

 

[hotacidbath]

Well, women dont want that right. Thats the problem with Women's rights. They want all the good, but not the bad that comes with it.

I want that right and I know plenty of women in the military that want to be infantry or some other front line position, but can't. I'm personally considering joining next year and the only way I can think of getting towards the front line is as an Army Medic, but chances are that I would end up somewhere else against my wishes. The opposition of women on the front lines has nothing to do with we don't want to and instead to do with that the idea that we can't do the same physical labor or that men will tend to a wounded woman before a wounded man even if the man is in worse shape. The problem isn't women saying "we don't want those jobs" the problem is that no one is giving them the chance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_military#Contemporary_debate
But a lot of this is irrelevant because there is hardly a front line anymore. Women have been killed and injured in combat and women have been awarded combat decorations for their service.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

I choose other because at times CMS can be useful. When a nation doesn't really have a large population but still needs to keep a decent sized standing military at all times CMS can be very useful. Look at Isreal for a good example. Their neighbors haven't really had good relationships with them, so they need to keep their military ready at all times.

Plus most countries that have CMS are reasonable about it. You can sometimes choose to just do civil service for your time instead of a military position.

So I don't see it as such a bad thing. It can serve it's uses pretty well.

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

No
There isn't a country in the world that's worthy of me fighting for it (that's not me putting an arrogantly high value on my life/fighting ability, I just have a very low opinion of the value of countries).

 

[Woodsey]

Unless we're at full-on war and people have to be drafted in to keep the numbers up, fuck no.

 

[biGBum333]

honestly?

i think conscription in australia would be great. despite what people say about the military you do learn quite a few decent skills and the army does embody discipline (god knows some people in australia need it). so yeah 1 - 2 years conscription? cant say i disagree...

 

[Robby Foxfur]

It is needed only in times of great need, however i don't really think requiring someone to join the military is a great idea. If you don't want to be there then your not into it and aren't going to feel anything for doing it at all. Do you like being yelled at by someone you just met because you just joined a club? well thats what i think of we i see my draft card. those are just my thoughts.

 

[Layzor]

I think there should be 6 months of compulsory service as a waitor/waitress so that you know why your food isn't instantly magiced up in front of you and don't be a complainy dick.

 

[Syntax Man]

Short answer: No.

Long answer: I consider it to be an infringement on the very principles of democracy if you have to draft for any reason other than actually defending the homeland, why? Because if you don't have enough military volunteers then obviously your war has lost public support. Compulsory military service undermines this because everyone from age group x to y are in the military already and can't not volunteer to go fight a war they don't believe in.


/rant.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

Anytime where people are forced into military service without an overhanging threat for the countries safety.

According to that part of the definition, then no. I do not agree with the idea of compulsory military service (although I do support compulsory military training). In the event of an invasion though, all citizens should be in some way involved in the defense of their country.

 

[TheHecatomb]

I'm not sure. On one hand I do know a hell of a lot of people who definitely would've benefitted from actually being 'forced' to experience what it is to work their asses off. Discover their limits, getting things done and most of all being taught not to be a freaking slacker. I think most of us know at least one person like that.

Even without a further military career it'd definitely teach people discipline and attitude.

On the other hand I'm not too big on the whole national army and patriotism stuff, so CMS as described by OP, meh, I guess not. But at some point people would definitely benefit from some good old-fashioned hard work.