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You're right that it is not necessarily efficient from a military effectiveness perspective. I see it as also an educational tool/investment. As other comments
by dcsommer 3y ago
You're right that it is not necessarily efficient from a military effectiveness perspective. I see it as also an educational tool/investment. As other comments have pointed out, this helps the populace internalize their responsibities in war (affecting voting), might help instill social cohesion, and yes also provides a baseline military competency in the populace in the worst case scenario (total war).
- crote 3y agoHow is it an "educational tool/investment" when you are removing 18-year-olds from their education or job for several months? And "instill social cohesion" sounds a lot like "brainwashing" to me. Those arguments don't have anything to do with conscription. You could just as well achieve the same with mandatory education, or mandatory pick-trash-up-in-the-forests.
- NovemberWhiskey 3y ago>removing 18-year-olds from their education or job for several months? They're getting education in a different set of skills, and additional life experiences; some of which may actually be transferrable outside the military context. I don't see the same objection to students deciding to take a gap-year to backpack around Southeast Asia.
- dcsommer 3y agoI don't claim it's the only way to promote social cohesion. A year of mandatory trash pickup would probably do that too. I don't understand the comment about brainwashing. Any form of public education, including mandatory trash pickup, can have that word thrown around.
- akudha 3y agoI don’t like compulsory military service. That said, with the rise of obesity and other health problems, this might make a small difference in getting people (men?) take their health a bit more seriously, once they leave the service. I am just guessing of course