This question was inspired by a post on lemmy.zip about lowering the minimum age to purchase firearms in the US, and a lot of commeters brought up military service and training as a benchmark to normal civilians, and how if guns would be prevalent, then firearm training should be more common.

For reference, I live in the USA, where the minimum age to join the military is 18, but joining is, for the most part, optional. I also know some friends that have gone through the military, mostly for college benefits, and it has really messed them up. However, I have also met some friends from south korea, where I understand military service is mandatory before starting a more normal career. From what I’ve heard, military service was treated more as a trade school, because they were never deployed, in comparison to American troops.

I just wanted to know what the broader Lemmy community thought about mandatory military service is, especially from viewpoints outside the US.

  • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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    4 hours ago

    It takes a couple of months to train a new recruit.

    Longer. Basic Training is 8 to 13 weeks, and only prepares a recruit for immediate entry into a tech school. They need several additional months in a tech school before they are qualified to deploy.

    If you want the general populace to have training in some particular skill by the time they are adults, you need to talk to the Department of Education, not the military.

    With that in mind: The overwhelming majority of manpower requirements in any military operation are associated with support, not combat. More vocational focus in high school, especially on the machining and construction trades, will ensure a large pool of people with the knowledge and skills that will be needed most.

    • tal@lemmy.today
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      3 hours ago

      The overwhelming majority of manpower requirements in any military operation are associated with support, not combat.

      I remember reading that in Iraq, something like 10% of military personnel actually saw combat.

      There’s a lot that has to happen along the haft of the spear to make the tip of the spear work.