You're obliged to serve in the military, or else... I don't think anyone tries the ultimate or-else option - there is an alternative, which is social service (usually stuff like hospitals, old people's homes, etc.), so I don't think a lot of people try to avoid service entirely, so I don't know what'd happen if you do. I'd generally agree with you that "That isn't very nice" - but you could say the same about paying taxes: We put people who refuse to pay those in prison. That's not very nice, is it? *shrugs* I quite like this arrangement, although, being one of those idiotic radical peaceniks, I'd prefer it if the social service was the standard, and anyone who doesn't want that can join the military. But then, de facto, it already is nearly like that. My other gripe is that women don't have to serve. What bloody century are we in? But well, they've only even been allowed to *volunteer* for the military for about five years or so.
I should add that I am one of the people who *are* avoiding service entirely - not because I don't want to - I really wanted to do the social service, but the bureaucracy was being a PITA, so I decided to go to Uni in the UK instead, where they can't get me at all... |
