this post was submitted on 30 Dec 2023
265 points (96.8% liked)

World News

39041 readers
2686 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

At the end of October, the Bundeswehr said it counted 181,383 soldiers in its ranks — that's still some distance from the target of 203,000 that the German military hopes to reach by 2025. This has given rise to concern in times of Russia's war against Ukraine, which has once again reminded Germans how quickly conflicts can erupt in Europe.

Since taking office at the beginning of 2023, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has been thinking about ways to make the Bundeswehr more attractive as a career. He said he has received 65 concrete proposals from his ministry on recruitment and reforming training methods.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] qyron@sopuli.xyz 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That will be a severe shot in the foot.

Professional, volunteer, military forces are a better solution. This only implies governments need to create conditions for people to want to join and the possibility to handle guns and use them against other human beings should be the bottom of an 100 items list, along patriotism and duty fulfilling towards national interest.

The last two plus an intriguing "character development" statement figured in a report for the reintroduction of mandatory military service in my country (Portugal), written by a civilian comitee, headed and divulged by a woman in her very early 30's. Severe public backlash followed, which was met by very thinly veiled proto fascist rethoric from the same spokesperson.

Mandatory military service is a de facto control and pressure tool over the population. Never again. Anywhere. Governments exist to serve the country and the people, not to make use of it.

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world -1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm unsure about the practices in Portugal. In Northern Europe we use the so called Scandinavian model..

This entails :1) gender-neutral and 2) selective and competitive, and therefore in principle still voluntary. Also there's an opt-out option, and or a civilian service option. According to some comments, it appears to work that way as well.

[–] qyron@sopuli.xyz 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Current voluntary system, to the extent of my knowledge, is open for all portuguese citizens, of legal age, regardless of gender. Level of education can be a factor taken into consideration for career and entry rank.

The system is voluntary only, as in those interested have to actively request entry and go through the selection process.

Civilian service, like firefighter duty, was an option for conscience objectors, that refused service, either by religious, philosophical or moral reasons, but no longer exists as the state ceased drafting/mandatory military service.

When a portuguese enters the military is solely by their own willing choice and that makes sure we fight for a cause.

[–] HowRu68@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Sounds pretty much like how it is in the North (Scandinavian model ) afaik.

added: example Dutch army chief article

"Some 600 youngsters took part in a voluntary year of service with the armed forces introduced this year along similar lines to Sweden. Wijnen said he hopes that in the future 2,000 to 3,000 youngsters will take part, around one third of whom will probably sign up for an army career. "

[–] qyron@sopuli.xyz 1 points 10 months ago

No.

Here, volunteering for military service already implies becoming part of whatever branch the candidate applies to. It isn't a trial experience. Some will be integrated into the permanent ranks, others will serve a few years under contract and then relieved of duty.