• MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Youtube always shows off all the progressive and positive aspects of Europe. Bike lanes, relable trains. Was so jealous. Then heard that my game buddy is off to manditory milatary service.

    The idea that the government can take away a year of your life, and thats normal is still a tough pill to swallow.

    • PetteriPano@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Finn here. The willingness to defend the country is high in Finland. For a small country like Finland it’s the most cost-effective way to keep up a credible defense. I guess a professional army might be an option now with NATO membership.

      And, yes. It feels like the normal thing to do.

      My grandfathers did it (and fought in two wars), my father did it, my older brother did it, plenty of friends did it at the same time as me.

      It’s an experience you can bond over very quickly.

      • MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Theres definatly SOME good to it. Hell, maybe that will help reduce the crime rate too*. From what ive heard, you are forced to learn a skill, so more skilled workers.

        *Just came back from holiday. First taxi from the airport has dents in the doors from kids throwing rocks. Depressing here

        • PetteriPano@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          Probably. Pretty much anyone who wants to go career can.

          It’s 5-6 months for the shortest service. In my case I volunteered to drive big rigs, so 12 months and I got a driver’s license that would’ve required two years of lorry driving as a civilian. It’s been my backup plan in case my career in rocket science hadn’t worked out.

    • ours@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Kind of a compromise for smaller countries that want to have a standing army. And some countries offer alternatives like civil service or paying additional taxes instead for those that don’t want to serve in the military.

      The US having expensive higher education driving poorer people to join the military to afford it is bleaker honestly.