I think we have a different view in Europe on it - Germany had a model of national military service until 2011 (with the option of civil service), the Nordic model includes military service etc. So it isn't completely unimaginable - we just have a different view on the topic.

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Oh wow, soooo interesting! For me, it's the government forcibly taking control of a year of your life. I'm not saying that my perspective is correct. It's just that that's how I see it. I voluntarily served 4 years in the American military, so I'm not opposed to government service. I guess maybe my American mistrust of government is what's making me apprehensive of the policy. It's like I fear that the federal government will misuse it while also taking a major formative year of its citizens' lives. Moreover, even if the government tries its best to make ethical decisions, I don't think government is capable of making those decisions. It's too bloated and compromised by the selfish goals of politicians and elites. Thinking it through for this comment, I would be more comfortable with the government providing incentives for 18 year olds to contribute public service by providing extra benefits such as college tuition, home loan guaranty, preferential hiring for government jobs, so it might be the mandatory part that is the main factor driving my concern. Btw,...woahhh, I'm having a moment since I never expected to be so American with my politics because I generally swing quite left, even for those outside of the USA.

What's the perspective you guys have on it? How do you see it? Is it something like, "This is a good policy because citizens should contribute to their country and government is an appropriate avenue to decide how to do so and enforce this?" I would love to hear how you guys generally see it because this seems like an interesting clash of cultures. I look forward to your response 😀

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

The American system still gets their army. Just a different way to coerce them. It's the same thing

Or college tuitions is free to begin with. You still get paid a wage, fed and housed in the army.

[–] greencactus@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

Yes, exactly - it is the idea of "well, you can gain life experience and serve for the state". However, it is (rightfully IMO) criticized as just a cheap way of gaining labor forces. I think that German culture is generally more connected with respecting authorities, rules etc., so this attitude of " you need to return something to the community who raised you up" is still prevalent.

Since 2011 the service was not enforced anymore (but not abolished - in German it's called "ausgesetzt"), but now there is a debate again to reintroduce it in light of the war. I personally am highly skeptical of it, for the exact reasons you outlined. A year ago I have went through the process of refusing to serve in the military in a defense case. We have something here called Kriegsdienstverweigerung: you can refuse to be drafted and serve under arms if it is incompatible with your conscience. I am glad to have went through the process, but I wouldn't have done so if I were younger; in fact, I probably would've been absolutely okay with serving in the military. So instead of training people to shoot, I advocate for providing opportunities for people to learn medicine and science and stuff and leave war to professional soldiers, who aren't 18- or 19 year old enscripted boys. It is also widely known that lots of guys cheated their way out of serving (e.g. drinking a lot the evening prior, so they make a bad impression on the recruiting officer), so the system was weird anyways. So I think the current debate is between "Russia and China are a threat, we need to get ready to fight, let's pump up our military production" and "War is no option, our infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, we need to invest into schools and hospitals instead of arms, and drafting teenagers can't be the solution of the problem".