Would you sign up for military service if your country was attacked?

[Gratlim]

I would join for personal reason (revenge for a dead family member for example) but not to protect a country. Else I would do like Switzerland or Sweden and make money out of it while staying neutral .

[TheOne]

The greatest country on Earth

I'm sorry, but I get annoyed when I see this. There are absolutely ZERO facts to support this statement. The entire planet is great, it's the people of the communities (or countries) that make or break whether or not it is a viable place to live/visit. If I had a choice to go anywhere in the world for free, America would most definitely not be my first choice. Even if I weren't from here. It would be more like number 35.

You're Samuel Adams quote does not mention joining the military. It mentions defense. Which I am all for if it is necessary. But not in the military. Not one person is required to be in the military to defend the things they love.

[Amsden]

More if invaded. Probably not for a 9/11 / Pearl Harbor type attack.

I don't really agree with the "Police the world" policy we seem to do, or forcing our type of government on other nations. But I would fight to push invaders out of my country.

[Deleted]

Ive always considered signing up for the military, but I just strongly dissagree with the reasons for fighting atm. Whats the UK's standards like? Is it hard to "graduate" from boot camp or whatever?

Indeed. Can't be fucked to sign up just to be America's lacky.

The sooner our armed forces focus on national defence instead of waltzing around other countries for no real reason, the better.

Can't stand some of the stupid shit people come out with when they give their reasons for joining up. Yeah, keep telling yourself that you're fighting for freedom lol.

[Deleted]

Ive always considered signing up for the military, but I just strongly dissagree with the reasons for fighting atm. Whats the UK's standards like? Is it hard to "graduate" from boot camp or whatever?

Harder than many countries, but nothing you cannot train for. We do not call it boot camp by the way, it is called Basic training or Phase 1.

[Deleted]

Ive always considered signing up for the military, but I just strongly dissagree with the reasons for fighting atm. Whats the UK's standards like? Is it hard to "graduate" from boot camp or whatever?

I'd say it's harder to get in - depending on the branch, when i spoke with the navy - he was stressing on me attaining the HND, and even applying for a bursary to further my application.

Still in the baby steps with like 3 years to go before i commit - but when i went to the intro meeting, there were very few people like me (Most were in 6th form, or studying further to there relevant field).

Rich was ex navy and current army though, but i don't think he's a recruitment guy.

[Deleted]

Harder than many countries, but nothing you cannot train for. We do not call it boot camp by the way, it is called Basic training or Phase 1.

That sounds like some sort of rehabilitation program. I'd rather stick with boot camp.

[Razorice]

No way, man. Fuck my country.

[Jackmoves]

If you had to/could join a local resistance chances are the country would be already occupied and not just being attacked. You'd be pretty late to the party.

I think that depends on, our Home Guard is a local militia pretty much, they are essentially local defense forces but under the command of the supreme commander. They got mostly the same kit of gear as the proper army(as far as weapons and personal equipment goes) and much the same organization. They get economically compensated by the State during their field excercises but they hold a different fulltime occupation.

The Home Guard is organised in battalions, covering parts of a county. These battalions are then organised into companies, usually one for every municipality. The main task of the battalions is to guard vital military and civilian installations throughout the country.

Also attached to every battalion is at least one "Rapid Response Company" (Insatskompani). These companies are usually motorized and are ready to be mobilized more often than other Home Guard units. Rapid Response units have more combat tasks compared to the rest of the Home Guard, including escort duties. Some battalions located near the coast also have marine companies equipped with Combat Boat 90.

A few battalions have recently set up 'specialized' companies to evaluate the possibility to add new abilities to the Home Guard. These are at the time of writing eight Reconnaissance/Intelligence companies, four CBRN-platoons, a movcon platoon, an engineer platoon, and a MP-unit.

As of 2012, the Home Guard consists of 22,000 soldiers organized into 40 light infantry battalions.

Training

Contractually a member of the Home Guard must train 8 days (before 2010 20 hours) per year (4 days for the 5,000 soldiers in the support, non-Rapid Response units) but although the time requirement varies according to role. A prerequisite for joining the Home Guard is to have received at least 85 days of basic military training. The level of training varies widely, from basic military training to Ranger school.

The training is centered around two 4-day-long battalion exercises per year for the Rapid Response units and one 4-day exercise for the support units. These exercises are mandatory for all personnel. Apart from the mandatory training, the companies organize their own exercises, often up to 10 weekend-long exercises a year. Most soldiers do considerably more time per year than the mandatory 8 or 4 days.

Method of operation

The Home Guard units are trained to be local combat units (primarily infantry but also signal troops). Although current doctrine states that Home Guard units can act anywhere within the country, local knowledge is one of the strengths of the organization. Training focuses on guard duties and weapons proficiency.

In peacetime the Home Guards main task is to help with search and rescue operations, and to provide assistance to civil society in cases of severe emergencies such as natural disasters and the like.

I'm sure more countries got similiar organizations.

[Garnier Fructis]

Yes, if it is worth protecting.

[Deleted]

I'd say it's harder to get in - depending on the branch, when i spoke with the navy - he was stressing on me attaining the HND, and even applying for a bursary to further my application.

Still in the baby steps with like 3 years to go before i commit - but when i went to the intro meeting, there were very few people like me (Most were in 6th form, or studying further to there relevant field).

Rich was ex navy and current army though, but i don't think he's a recruitment guy.

No, I am not involved in recruitment but I am very up to scratch regarding current Army training, I can answer most questions.

[DieFichte]

Recruitment here was pretty chilled (we don't really need an army, but whatever), it only got funny later, one of the higher people in my brigade/battalion/whatever it is called in english was like "wait, you are a medic, driver and NCO, how much bribe you need?" <.<

[loganroth51]

Im already in the reserves, so if something bad enough were to happen, I would probably be called upon anyways.

I decided to do reserves because I always wanted to be able to serve if the country needed me, but I also wanted to keep part the civilian life/ occupation and stuff. Kind of like a best of both I suppose.

[Themius]

No, there's a reason, but no.

[Elegiac]

Probably not. I'm a better bureaucrat than a soldier.

[Shiny212]

If your country was attacked, and you were now at war, would you be willing to sign up for military service to defend your country? Would you be willing to die for your country? Defend the cause of freedom?

Of course if you live in a socialist type country, there really wouldn't be much freedom to defend in the first place, but would you still be willing to go into military service to defend your country?

[Infracted]

How retarded is this guy...yes in "socialist type countries" such as all of Scandinavia everyone is born into bondage and have no freedom, they wear chains from birth and aren't allowed personal opinions on any subject because such opinions could be hurtful to others.

On topic...since "attack" on my country is sort of vague, I wouldn't sign up for military service lest they invaded my country. Attacking an embassy or something wouldn't be enough, even though it's an attack and act of war.

[Infracted]

[chazus]

No, I would not. An attack on my hometown is not an attack on me, but on a strategic point incited by my country and government. I do not trust, nor have faith in my government nor military.

Would I want to defend myself? Of course. Would I want to somehow help end a war? Definitely. Human loss is a loss, no matter who it is. However I would not join the military in order to 'help'.

And before people go "If you don't like your country, why are you there?". First off, I was born here, so that why I'm there. And you can't just 'leave' your country and survive. You need Passports, a job, reserve funds. I've considered moving to another country several times, but it just isn't currently viable, so I have to deal with it until then.

On that note, not liking my government and military does not mean I'm not happy where I am. I'm not "RAWR DOWN WITH 'MURICA". I simply feel that there are better places I could be, but I'm certainly not unhappy. I have a job, an education, a roof over my head, and a cat.

[Deleted]

Yes I would. I've had military training just like 95% of the men here in finland and it's for the reason if someone decided to attack here everyone would get enlisted.

Wow, that's messed up, I thought Finland was in northern Europe. Don't you have anti-slavery and equality laws there?

[Thelxi]

Nope. I'd book the first flight out and move wherever. Don't really see that happening anytime soon in Europe though.

[muto]

It depends. If China invaded I would sign up, because I don't want to live in a communist country, but if Sweden or Norway invaded, I would welcome them with open arms.