I'm in the army now......

[kevin32]

Koos, I agree with your sentiment. I'm in the US, and although I understand that many in the world disagree with the war in Iraq, and I can see why many hold this position, I disagree with the "war for oil" or "war for israel" characterizations. Hussein never held up his end of the bargain after the Persian Gulf War. In my opinion, enough said. Unfortunately it was not "sold" in these terms, though I can't understand why.

As far as mandatory service in the US goes, I'm torn. I believe it would be a good thing overall, especially with the Fundamentalist Islamic threat, but I also don't believe the government should have the power to force individuals into military service. I wish I would have served, but that is a personal regret I carry, and not one that I would wish forced on others.

This is some basic difference between what drives Norwegian and US political philosophy. In many ways the European welfare system has similarities to Nazism (NOT the anti-semetism part, but the parts of Nazism that made Germany boom in the thirties). In the US, you're the individual. You have individual needs and individual rights. Nobody should have the power to send you to fight a war. Nobody should have to power to remove your freedom for a year. In Norway, the philosophy is all about the nation. The nation's freedom. The nation's needs and the rights of the nation. Everybody is a working part of the nation, the better they work together the better off the nation is. And by this philosophy, you can require mandatory military service, as the military is one of the organs that preserve the freedom of the country.

The mandatory military service in Norway cannot be compared to a draft to fight a war for some corporations, because only volunteers are sent to fight wars overseas. The people doing first time service are only called upon to fight if there is an invasion.

Oh btw, what branch of the defense are you in? Sounds like heimevernet, am I right? Because I prioritized that branch after I passed my physical earlier this year, I hope to get in. But is it true there are wilderness trips without the possibility to get snus for a week? And do you get duty free snus in the army?

[Stargazer]

no, it's not heimervernet.
the regular army, panserbataljonen, kavalerieksvadron 1.

the survival training I went through is special for kavesk
and other simmular "jeger" or recon units.

since we run a actual risk of getting traped behind enemy lines or getting
cut off from the maain force in general, we get that kind of training.
along whit special medic training and so forth.

heimevernet is very, very relaxed only the recrut period is though.

as far as duty free goes, you mean when you do service out broad right?
I don't know anything about that.

[TexanNC]

My father was drafted into the Army here in the US for Vietnam. I think the point he makes is valid. The best military is an all volunteer military. I think since we in America weren't raised with the prospect of mandatory service, there would be too many people who would rebel against the services once in. I think its all about culture. We don't even think of the notion so most people would disagree with it.
I'm doin my part and joining the US Coast Guard after having already gone through college and gotten my BA, leave Aug. 26th (its ok to insert puddle paddler and puddle pirate jokes here, I've heard them all) but the CG is the only US service that has ever been fully deployed 24/7, 365 since its inception even in times without conflict. I can't wait, I'm sure it will be a good ride. Hopefully I'll be able to find a 'snus pocket' on my tac uniform as well! I gave up smoking and still need my nic!

[Dead Rabbit]

My father was drafted into the Army here in the US for Vietnam. I think the point he makes is valid. The best military is an all volunteer military. I think since we in America weren't raised with the prospect of mandatory service, there would be too many people who would rebel against the services once in. I think its all about culture. We don't even think of the notion so most people would disagree with it.
I'm doin my part and joining the US Coast Guard after having already gone through college and gotten my BA, leave Aug. 26th (its ok to insert puddle paddler and puddle pirate jokes here, I've heard them all) but the CG is the only US service that has ever been fully deployed 24/7, 365 since its inception even in times without conflict. I can't wait, I'm sure it will be a good ride. Hopefully I'll be able to find a 'snus pocket' on my tac uniform as well! I gave up smoking and still need my nic!

Anyone who rips on the Coast Guard, other then light hearted ribbing, has no clue about the things you guys do and how well you do it. And this is coming for a Navy vet!

[snusfather]

Waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy back in '95, the Coast Guard was my first choice for enlistment. They had a quota system going at the time (I don't know if they still do) and they were only looking for female recruits. Altough it would have made a good movie for me to come back in a dress (hillarity ensues), I was clearly underqualified in the female parts department. The Army, on the other hand, was quite ready to welcome me with open arms. I have a great deal of respect for the Coasties. Good luck!

[TexanNC]

Thanks! Yeah, I think back when you talked to them, there were only about 27,000 active duty personnel and the CG operated on a yearly budget that was smaller than the cost of a new aircraft carrier for the Navy! Then 9/11 happened and the CG was acquired by the Department of Homeland Security and they got a boost to the budget. I know they're still picky there are only around 42,000 active now but I don't think they're turning folks away. I just can't wait to get goin.