Compulsory military service: EFF

[daveza]

Show me the money !

 

[HavocXphere]

A year's compulsory military service for the youth and free legal services for the poor were among the proposals heard at the EFF's elective conference in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

In order for the country's youth to be disciplined, it should be mandatory for those who finished matric to spend a year in the army, Khotso Morapela told delegates.

Its bad enough that we have so many crooks...I'd rather not have a bunch of crooks with military training...

 

[rebel998]

In the pre-rainbow nation this might've worked. No offence, but the army back then had discipline, these days, well, not so much anymore.

The statement that the youth of the day might need more discipline is correct in my opinion. Some kind of community service might be a better idea? Training more people militarily,I don't know.

 

[Packer]

In the pre-rainbow nation this might've worked. No offence, but the army back then had discipline, these days, well, not so much anymore.

The statement that the youth of the day might need more discipline is correct in my opinion. Some kind of community service might be a better idea? Training more people militarily,I don't know.

Perhaps regard some sort of service (not necessarily military) as a civil duty. You learn about the democratic system and basic skills. On completion of your service, you get the vote. You don’t have to do it unless you want to vote (then it’s required that you have a clue). Regard it more as a large body of cheap, disciplined young people that can be deployed anywhere (search & rescue, natural catastrophe, fire fighting, etc.) rather than a military force.

 

[Thor]

Everything that will cost money that we don't have. Brilliant logic from the EFF again.

Besides...I'm pretty sure the constitution won't like that idea (I hope).

I for one am glad I didn't have to go to the army. Didn't make me any less of a disciplined man. Career wise it's a wasted year.

It's not just about discipline people keep missing that. You are taught very important life skills that you can't learn anywhere else. Back in the day of conscription lots of lost youngsters ended up finding their careers in the Army, artisans or Medical engineers, Engineers, Doctors and the likes. Couple with that some weapons training, fitness, and survival technics. It's all a win win.

^This! Today's men don't know shiat.


(Not intentionally aimed at you Method, just saying in general.)

 

[Albereth]

What happens if they don't finish matric?

Politics or state owned companies.

 

[Johnatan56]

I think the basic idea is good but in most countries conscription was cancelled - mostly due to religious or philosophical grounds. A better idea of an alternative to military services was introduced by Austria/Switzerland as "Zivildienst" or "civil service", where people could opt to join emergency services or health care as an alternative. Many people struggling with finding a job used the civil service option as an entry into the job market (i.e. hospitals, fragile care, charities etc).

An interesting part of the Austrian "civil service" was that although it was a constitutional right, you had to explain your reasoning in front of a commission and only exceptional cases where allowed to skip military services and if granted, the applicant received a weapon ban and was not allowed to carry any sort of weapon. The ban was eventually lifted so that people could join the police force or security services, provided that the applicant made a declaration that their conscientious doubts are over.

Austria Zivildienst is mandatory when you finish school, its conscription for six months. At least you get an all right salary, I voted no for it though .