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As someone who's actually visited Russia (and is married to a Russian), you can't compare Russia and the US at all. Russians deeply respect the people who lost

As someone who's actually visited Russia (and is married to a Russian), you can't compare Russia and the US at all. Russians deeply respect the people who lost their lives in the past but in the present, a few years military service is mandatory for all males, so service doesn't have nearly as much glory. There's absolutely nothing like the disturbing hero worship Americans have. As for military parades, typically they only happen on Victory Day, the day that celebrates the end of WWII. Parades like that aren't uncommon throughout Europe. Here's a French one for an event of similar significance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day_military_parade#/media/File:Bastille_Day_2014_Paris_-_Color_guards_034.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day_military_parade#/... I think you're thinking of the Soviet Union during WWII or the Cold War era.

georgecmu 9y ago
in the present, a few years military service is mandatory for all males, so service doesn't have nearly as much glory It's been only one year for a decade or so. In the past, the attitude toward conscripted service (rather than a career choice as a commissioned officer) was ranging from a nuisance to something to be avoided at all costs, depending on the class and region the conscript was from. Now while it's considered as a nuisance by many, military service is also seen as a type of social elevator by others, particularly in the Caucusus. Drafts from Chechnya and Dagestan are generally oversubscribed and having to pay bribes to be conscripted is not uncommon [1]. There's absolutely nothing like the disturbing hero worship Americans have. Seconded. Furthermore, the threshold for being considered a hero is very high. Being called a hero just for putting on the uniform is unthinkable. [1] http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/society/34432.html http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/society/34432.html

georgecmu 9y ago

in the present, a few years military service is mandatory for all males, so service doesn't have nearly as much glory It's been only one year for a decade or so. In the past, the attitude toward conscripted service (rather than a career choice as a commissioned officer) was ranging from a nuisance to something to be avoided at all costs, depending on the class and region the conscript was from. Now while it's considered as a nuisance by many, military service is also seen as a type of social elevator by others, particularly in the Caucusus. Drafts from Chechnya and Dagestan are generally oversubscribed and having to pay bribes to be conscripted is not uncommon [1]. There's absolutely nothing like the disturbing hero worship Americans have. Seconded. Furthermore, the threshold for being considered a hero is very high. Being called a hero just for putting on the uniform is unthinkable. [1] http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/society/34432.html http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/society/34432.html