Poll: Should National Service be introduced

[sabotstarr]

I personally think that everyone should A)go though basic training, man or woman B)serve 1 year on duty in the nation, and C) then have the option to leave, or stay. This makes people fit, respectful, and able to protect themselves.

 

[ConstantJoe]

Sure, if you want to live in a militaristic far-right nation.

Absolutely not, I wouldn't fight for my nation if they went to war, I'd leave to a peaceful nation.

I know several people who serve their country, and want to in the future. Being in the army doesn't mean you'll be fighting a war. Take Ireland for example, the Irish military is highly praised, but Ireland has never been in a war since the founding of the republic. All the missions are Peace Corps, to keep the peace (the proper way, not the take out leadership to get oil way).

 

[PurpleRain]

I personally think that everyone should A)go though basic training, man or woman B)serve 1 year on duty in the nation, and C) then have the option to leave, or stay. This makes people fit, respectful, and able to protect themselves.

Fitness is a constant thing. Give up and it all comes apart. And who said everyone in the military is fit?
Respectful? I'd most likely want that one year back! It's a waste to me having to be forced into something I care nothing about. It's like telling me to go work at Barbie camp for a year.
Also, as of yet, I've never felt the need to protect myself. And having a martial arts training is more healthy, more spiritual and much better then army training (unless they do martial arts, then there's no point even to go just for that?!)

 

[sabotstarr]

I don't think it's right to force people to join the military against their will. However if you are a nation like Israel I can appreciate why national service happens.

Makes it easier to run people over with tanks? I fail to see your point here.

yes, cuase its not like they arent in the middle of hostile nations surrounded by extremists who want to finish the genocide hitler started.....

there are more than just the one side to this situation buddy boy, maybe make a mental note to do some research on things before you decide to type.

So you see Palestine as an enemy? Why? They're not the one's with the White Phosphorus.[/quote]
Ya, but they are the ONE nation with 6-8 nations surrounding it that have no other mission but to drive them into the ocean. So yes they need it.

 

[Gene O]

Admittedly I only skimmed through the thread but I didn't notice the question I always have with these discussions:

Why does compulsory national service always have to be about the military? What's wrong with saying, "You there! You're being enlisted to serve your country! You'll spend two years purifying water for a city of our choosing!"

Clean water and sanitation do far more to preserve our way of life than guns ever will.

 

[sabotstarr]

I personally think that everyone should A)go though basic training, man or woman B)serve 1 year on duty in the nation, and C) then have the option to leave, or stay. This makes people fit, respectful, and able to protect themselves.

Fitness is a constant thing. Give up and it all comes apart. And who said everyone in the military is fit?
Respectful? I'd most likely want that one year back! It's a waste to me having to be forced into something I care nothing about. It's like telling me to go work at Barbie camp for a year.
Also, as of yet, I've never felt the need to protect myself. And having a martial arts training is more healthy, more spiritual and much better then army training (unless they do martial arts, then there's no point even to go just for that?!)

Ok, the difference is that when you train for a period of time, you LOOSE weight that will take longer to put back on, therefore decreasing obesity just by a bit, and respect is one thing that myself and every other person under 18 lacks. And sorry that personal defense doesn't need to be spiritual, its for personal DEFENSE, not spirituality.

 

[The Magical Hobo]

I've noticed this poll is like Canadian federal politics. The "yes" side, which I will compare to the "right wing" only has one option, and has a better chance of pulling ahead, whilst the "no" or "left wing" side is split between two options, lessening their chance at getting ahead.

I like the comparison, however, I would consider national service more left wing than right wing. Since national service incorporates all forms of civil service, it is more of a socialist policy as a "what you can do for your country" type of thing.

 

[matnatz]

Israel has universal conscription.
But, the problem with conscription, is that the people will never be as loyal as volunteers.

Yeah, the top heavy Red army comes to mind lol.

 

[Sewblon]

It can crush initiative and creativity, and not everyone is cut out for military life anyway, I think for most people it would hurt them more then help them.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

2 years, discipline, friends, travel, possibly find a calling. It could help sort out yob culture

You know we have something eerily similar to this and the best part is its completely up to you. Its called college, give it a shot.

College as in college or college as in University? Neither of those could sort out yob culture though.

 

[The Magical Hobo]

I've noticed this poll is like Canadian federal politics. The "yes" side, which I will compare to the "right wing" only has one option, and has a better chance of pulling ahead, whilst the "no" or "left wing" side is split between two options, lessening their chance at getting ahead.

I like the comparison, however, I would consider national service more left wing than right wing. Since national service incorporates all forms of civil service, it is more of a socialist policy as a "what you can do for your country" type of thing.

It was meant as a moderately humorous allusion for Canadians, however, I would consider conscription a "right wing" policy, just based on my observation that "right wing" parties are usually more militaristic.

I actually found it quite humourous, being both a Canadian and an NDP(moderate-left for those who don't know) supporter. However I support national service, but when I say national service I don't mean military conscription. I think this is the biggest misunderstanding in this thread. If the topic was military service or conscription, the thread would be called either "military service" or "conscription".

 

[zahr]

Agian, learn history before you reply. I honestly do not have the energy to teach you things you should teach yourself if you are going to speak on a subject.

Son, I don't think you know about the world's history. Are you an American? Did you go through feel-good education or the self-esteem movement or whatever they're using these days instead of education?

 

[Therumancer]

I have mixed opinions but I'd say "yes" simply because the military is currently becoming too caste-like and is no longer "of the people". What's more even though it would invalidate me, I personally think that military service should be a pre-requisite for holding any kind of govermental position. Especially federal positions int he big thing (House, Supreme Court, and Presidency).

I guess on a lot of levels I'm similar to Robert Heinlan there.

I'd even go so far as to say that when it comes to immigrants they should have to do 4-8 years in the military before being given citizenship, and used to pad out our various relief efforts around the world .

>>>----Therumancer--->

 

[The Magical Hobo]

F

The main issue for the people against national service is that for the most part they only see it as military service. However, national service includes all types of civil service, from street cleaning to military service, also it is usually after post-secondary education. One of the primary purposes of national service is to build national pride, people care more about a country they helped build.

And why the fuck would I want to clean up streets when I could easily get a far better job doing something that doesn't suck?
Furthermore, "national pride" makes me a bit sick, to be honest.
Forcing me into service isn't going to build a sense of "national pride." It's going to build a sense of hatred for everyone controlling my life until I finally snap and murder them and everyone they hold dear with my bare hands.

First, if you're the type of person who would have a mental breakdown over two years of getting paid to help people, you belong in a mental institution.

Second, I've seen less angst on poetry websites. Learn some respect, grow a pair, and take a step into the real world.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

If the topic was military service or conscription, the thread would be called either "military service" or "conscription".

OP is British, it is very likely that by "National Service" he meant conscription.

 

[PurpleRain]

I just really don't understand this. Everyone that said 'yes' on the poll has the option right now to go join. So why don't you? Do you need the government telling you you have to? Do what you want but leave the rest of the people that don't want to join alone. It is our choice and our freedom. It is your freedom to join or not.

I don't think it's right to force people to join the military against their will. However if you are a nation like Israel I can appreciate why national service happens.

Makes it easier to run people over with tanks? I fail to see your point here.

yes, cuase its not like they arent in the middle of hostile nations surrounded by extremists who want to finish the genocide hitler started.....

there are more than just the one side to this situation buddy boy, maybe make a mental note to do some research on things before you decide to type.

So you see Palestine as an enemy? Why? They're not the one's with the White Phosphorus.

Ya, but they are the ONE nation with 6-8 nations surrounding it that have no other mission but to drive them into the ocean. So yes they need it.[/quote]

I hope you were joking. It's not a very tasteful joke either.

I personally think that everyone should A)go though basic training, man or woman B)serve 1 year on duty in the nation, and C) then have the option to leave, or stay. This makes people fit, respectful, and able to protect themselves.

Fitness is a constant thing. Give up and it all comes apart. And who said everyone in the military is fit?
Respectful? I'd most likely want that one year back! It's a waste to me having to be forced into something I care nothing about. It's like telling me to go work at Barbie camp for a year.
Also, as of yet, I've never felt the need to protect myself. And having a martial arts training is more healthy, more spiritual and much better then army training (unless they do martial arts, then there's no point even to go just for that?!)

Ok, the difference is that when you train for a period of time, you LOOSE weight that will take longer to put back on, therefore decreasing obesity just by a bit, and respect is one thing that myself and every other person under 18 lacks. And sorry that personal defense doesn't need to be spiritual, its for personal DEFENSE, not spirituality.

No my argument was that all your points are not worth it. Eveything you said (self defence, exercise) can all be made with more benefits through gym or martial arts. The whole 'spritual' side was showing one benefit you can gain if you want to be ablke to protect yourself with martial arts without joining the military.

 

[Bagaloo]

No no no no no, no thank you!
I'm no soldier. I don't want to be a soldier. Please don't make me a soldier :<

I'll admit, the thought of all the yobs in this country getting their asses handed to them by the military is a pleasant one, but its immidiatly shadowed by the thought of my own ass getting handed to me by the military.

Kinda goes against fundamental human rights too, as you have absolutely no choice in the matter. Its a grey area.

*Edit*
And furthermore, what if you're part of an unlucky generation who is doing his National Service when war breaks out? Its one thing to go through the training, meet some new people, travel and all that, but being forced onto the frontlines of a war is so very, utterly different.

 

[sabotstarr]

I don't think it's right to force people to join the military against their will. However if you are a nation like Israel I can appreciate why national service happens.

Makes it easier to run people over with tanks? I fail to see your point here.

yes, cuase its not like they arent in the middle of hostile nations surrounded by extremists who want to finish the genocide hitler started.....

there are more than just the one side to this situation buddy boy, maybe make a mental note to do some research on things before you decide to type.

So you see Palestine as an enemy? Why? They're not the one's with the White Phosphorus.

Ya, but they are the ONE nation with 6-8 nations surrounding it that have no other mission but to drive them into the ocean. So yes they need it.

I hope you were joking. It's not a very tasteful joke either.[/quote]
how is that a joke???