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 s

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