Quote Originally Posted by Poopadoop View Post
It always makes me shiver to think of how many European countries still have mandatory service. If I had had to spend one or two of the best years of my life in the army during peacetime I would have not been a happy bunny.

I think by the time Putin is done in the Ukraine, SWE/FIN will be in NATO. I don't think he will attack them, but if he did they're both strong enough to fight a delaying action while we mobilize to kick his botox ass.

I also heard that one of the problems with Russia's armed forces is that despite having a humongous defense budget, so much of it is skimmed off by corruption that it's not all that well-equipped.
I completely understand your aversion to mandatory service, while I also can see that those years end up being the best years for many. That said, I think I'm pro mandatory service.

1. so long as nation state level armed conflict is a thing, we need militaries
2. given 1, unless everyone serves, it'll be the poor that serve
3. given 2, the disproportionately undereducated are pumped full of pro establishment/status quo propaganda in isolation from everyone else
4. given 1-3, a volunteer armed forces is prone to erode bonds between lower/working class and middle class, leading to polarization.
5. as a bonus, it's commonly said that one of the most valuable things gained in college is the connections-- imagine the increase in social mobility if everyone was mixing with everyone for 1-2 years in their late teens/early 20's.