When I was 17 I was conscripted. Obviously my anecdotal experience isn't data, but I would (somewhat) push back on the notion we were whiny or entitled. Ok, g

When I was 17 I was conscripted. Obviously my anecdotal experience isn't data, but I would (somewhat) push back on the notion we were whiny or entitled. Ok, granted, some were whiny. But there are plenty of toilet blocks to clean, so that problem tends to become minor. On the other hand I wouldn't have described us as "entitled"? (Entitled to what?) We were the opposite of entitled. Naturally we were also the lowest ranks, so frankly got all the undesirable jobs. Were we "effective"? Well, I guess so. But that's a function of training (and equipment). There was a clear social distinction between regular (permanent) members and conscripts. Somewhat delineated by rank (permanent members got stripes within a couple years, conscripts typically didn't.) Now, personally, I'm against conscription.(I'm also against volunteer recruitment, that tends to have the side effect of sending mostly poor people to fight.) So I concur that it's a horrible idea (but then again, Germany may have no choice given the neighborhood). Sometimes horrible ideas become necessary. Perhaps if the sons and daughters of the privileged have to go and fight, perhaps those in charge would be less keen to start wars. Or maybe not.