National Service, Soon To Be Compulsory....

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48755605
Surely that's against EUSSR regs? Don't get me wrong, good idea, we should do it.

[sevenOP]

National Service / Conscription end in UK in 1960, so the youngest men from that lot would be aged 76 at least, in France conscription ended in 1996.

So it may be that from 2026 all French 16 year olds could be conscripted for one month... si... si ... si...

[Quizmonster]

Danny, Yes I did gain from my National service. It's a cliché to say so, but - like multitudes of others - I can honestly say, "I went in as a boy and came out as a man."
At the start, I had literally just finished school weeks before and had gained immeasurably in confidence and world-experience by the time I came out.
I approve of it, but it'll never happen in the same way again.

[Sqad]

Qizmonster......your point is well taken, as i must learn the difference between old and VERY old...;-)

[KARL]

In the UK "National Service" means military serrvice. My understanding of the contents of the article is that contrary to being military it actually has no connection with the military at all and the programme is not any part of an aim to prepare the participants for killing or taking part (organisationally directly or indirectly) in the killing of others (which is the core aim of any/all military activity). The French example seems on the other hand to me to be more like some form of educational establishment. It may also be an attempt to somehow deal with isolation and aimlessness among the young and perhaps also jobless numbers - a bit like various schemes in the UK have.

[shoota]

If it stops them riding round on bleeding mopeds at all hours I'm all for it...

[woofgang]

well it would stop them for the 4 weeks they do it....

[Cloverjo]

I was just about to say what KARL said. They’re not training teenagers to kill.
I think it could be a good idea.

[Togo]

You are meant to be lulled into believing that this "French initiative" is just a bit of boy scouting or a bit of social cohesion moulding. Don't be. Remember Herr Elmar Brok, a German, EUSSR foreign affairs chief making just such a call for an Army of it's own? He said “We need a common (military) headquarters and a coalition (of EU countries) acting in accordance with the permanent structural cooperation of the EU Treaty. From such a group an EU army could eventually arise.”
Mr Brok suggested the forces be modeled on the Franco-German Brigade, a special military brigade of the Eurocorps of the European Union. Stating that a united EU army would make European foreign policy much more effective.

Anyone know what happened the last time Germany or France had millions of men at arms?

[andres]

I don't like the way that the younger generation are so scornful and judgmental of older people. It never used to be like this years ago. When I was young we respected older people . Nowadays we might just as well be thrown on the scrapheap or put to death when we reach 80 years.
National Service brought discipline, respect and a sense of pride in your country. Friendship and cohesion with other young men that often lasted long after the course had finished.
Most of the young today rebel against any form of authority. They don't see any need to conform and unite. God help us if we ever had to go to war in Britain. Society has changed in Britain but sadly not all for the better.

[Sqad]

I agree totally with andres ^^^^^^

[dannyk13]

Excellent post Andres.

[woofgang]

I am an older person and I reserve the right to be scornful and judgemental of idiots whatever their age.

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps they are preparing themselves for when the EU set up it's own Army, after all that is what their President is calling for.

/// “We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,” Mr Macron told France’s Europe 1 radio in an interview. ///

[Cloverjo]

Who are the young ones being “so scornful and judgmental of older people“?
I don’t see it myself. Perhaps it depends on who you consider old or young. I could be seen as either, depending on point of view.

[spathiphyllum]

Andres post makes me laugh.

oh poor old people, we were so good when we were young, now we are hated, oh poor us, the young have it in for us

LOL

[Sqad]

Don't be coy Cloverjo......we are talking about AB females , those in their 40's-60's being scornful and judgmental on those over 70's mainly male, usually the same ABers and on AB in particular.

[spathiphyllum]

I think it's simply a case of 'oh poor me' syndrome.

[spathiphyllum]

Maybe actually sqad.. some abers come to mind who are often rude to me and i think this is due to prejudice opinions based around my age.

[spathiphyllum]

Why wouldn't they go the other way also.

[andres]

Maybe I should have said ''some of the younger generation'' .
That's the only concession I will make .