Military service

[HoreTore]

Conscript soldier from 12. january to 15. december, 2006. Norwegian Army, in the communications platoon of the intelligence battalion.

I can safely say that I'll never, ever experience such a lousy year ever again.

[Caius]

Remember Patriarch of Constantinople!

[Kekvit Irae]

Been there, done that, twice. Couldn't complete Army basic training both times because of exercise-induced asthma.

[Proletariat]

Just ETSed last 6 weeks ago. Army Reserve gal, practicing occupational therapy in the Prosthetic Wing of WRAMC. Now on the civilian side I teach geriatrics how to get out of chairs safely, and believe it or not, it can be fun.

[Lorenzo_H]

Been there, done that, twice. Couldn't complete Army basic training both times because of exercise-induced asthma.

I have excercise induced asthma, though I hope to get rid of it through cardiovascular training soon. We'll see how it goes when the time for me to enlist in the British Army.

I also need to do something about my eyesight.

[Caius]

I have excercise induced asthma, though I hope to get rid of it through cardiovascular training soon. We'll see how it goes when the time for me to enlist in the British Army.

I also need to do something about my eyesight.

Is there a cure for asthma?

[Kekvit Irae]

Is there a cure for asthma?

Anything short of a total lung transplant? No.
You can treat it, but it's there for life.

[Kadagar_AV]

Sergeant in Swedens armed forces (nordic battalion).

Trained sniper with special education in survival and arctic warfare.

Basicly, "I shoot stuff good when hungry and cold"

[Lorenzo_H]

Conscript soldier from 12. january to 15. december, 2006. Norwegian Army, in the communications platoon of the intelligence battalion.

I can safely say that I'll never, ever experience such a lousy year ever again.

Norway is the world's most peaceful nation at the moment (as ranked by
Forbes, I think). How do they have conscription? Who would want to invade Norway? (and by that I'm not trying to criticise Norway).

[Goofball]

Currently training as a reserve infantry officer. See recent photo in this thread: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...83#post1614083

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Norway is the world's most peaceful nation at the moment (as ranked by
Forbes, I think). How do they have conscription? Who would want to invade Norway? (and by that I'm not trying to criticise Norway).

This might touch a bit on Backroom material (so we can continue discussion there if you like), but I can think of three reasons why many European countries have conscription.

1. Tradition
2. A manner of serving your country. Generally you have a choice between military and civil service.
3. "Just in case."
4. Your government sees that as the most effective method of defending your country (Switzerland has a complex defense system based on conscription).
5. This is a personal opinion of mine. I believe that army service may help to encourage physical activity in some who would not otherwise do it. At least for a year, you know you'll be fairly fit.

[The Stranger]

i agree with 5... thats prolly why ill do it... + the discipline i need a lil of that.

[Somebody Else]

Got my main board coming up at the end of August, so hopefully I'm Sandhurst bound (got a Cat. 1 at the briefing, of course). I am in my UOTC, and therefore have an army number and army pay... does that count?

[Samurai Waki]

Perhaps the US should start some Conscription type System. Of course that would make us an even more evil empire.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

Perhaps the US should start some Conscription type System. Of course that would make us an even more evil empire.

I think the US is to nice really



How about me Swiss, they got a Conscroption for their mitlita,right?

[AggonyDuck]

Norway is the world's most peaceful nation at the moment (as ranked by
Forbes, I think). How do they have conscription? Who would want to invade Norway? (and by that I'm not trying to criticise Norway).

Norway is a large country with a small population, which means that conscription is the only way to actually uphold a credible army for self-defence. A volunteer or professional army simply wouldn't have the size required to effectively protect Norway. Currently pretty much noone would have any reason to invade Norway, but it is hard to say how international politics evolve. Even if things now are safe, who knows how the world will look like in thirty years. You can't really decrease the size of the army according to current needs, because once an army is decreased, increasing it back to the required strength is both time consuming and expensive. After all an army needs to be trained, equipped, maintained and also needs proper infrastructure. All of this is something you just can't conjure up in weeks, but something that takes years to accomplish.

As to the real topic; I'll start my military service at the Finnish Armoured Brigade in January 2008. Pretty much been waiting and preparing for it in three years now, so I hope it will all go well.

[Sigurd]

Norway is a large country with a small population, which means that conscription is the only way to actually uphold a credible army for self-defence. A volunteer or professional army simply wouldn't have the size required to effectively protect Norway. Currently pretty much noone would have any reason to invade Norway, but it is hard to say how international politics evolve. Even if things now are safe, who knows how the world will look like in thirty years. You can't really decrease the size of the army according to current needs, because once an army is decreased, increasing it back to the required strength is both time consuming and expensive. After all an army needs to be trained, equipped, maintained and also needs proper infrastructure. All of this is something you just can't conjure up in weeks, but something that takes years to accomplish.

I highlighted the reason we didn't have a well organized defence in 1940. We had been 'semi' neutral in the last WW and had outdated equipment.
It's more the attitude of never again shall we be unprepared. And we share a border with Russia.
There is one good thing about conscription. That is, nearly every male in the nation and a good portion of the women knows how to pick up an assault rifle disassemble it and reassemble it within the NATO requirements. A good portion of these men and women have done non-commissioned training with requirements exceeding the NATO requirements.
Good luck trying to invade and keep control of such a nation.
H.Tore might have not enjoyed his time in the Army, but I bet he would pick up a gun if we ever were invaded.

1992 - 1995 Royal Norwegian Navy.
Boot-camp - non commissioned offiser training - chief of MSO - Intelligence - commissioned officer - released from service as ensign (butter bar).

[spmetla]

Erasing the past...

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

anyone went though OCS?

[Decker]

Been in the Army National Guard for 5 years now. Gonna go active as an officer once I finish my schooling.

What's the Guard like? I've been thinking about joining the National Guard (in California) but haven't had the time do really look into it or talk to recruiters(never seen any at my school yet anyways) so I haven't the slightest idea of what it's about.

[spmetla]

Erasing the past...