Enlistment

[stevevw]

What do you think would happen if your country was being invaded and there was a call to arms for all young people 18 to 35 years. Do you think most people would readily enlist or would there be widespread protest and conscientious objectors.

As we have not seen a world war or an invasion of any western nation for going on 75 years now since WW2 and 45 years since the Vietnam war which called for compulsory enlistment I was thinking how would young people react to be forced to enlist and fight in a war. We have become use to relative peace and it seems there is a sense of entitlement with young people today. Respect has diminished and it seems many are demanding their rights. Western nations support individualism where people are more concerned about themselves than the group, community or national concerns.

But war can change things and young people are suddenly pushed out of their comfort zone. So how do you think they would react considering that this generation would not have any idea of what it would be like to face a life and death situation and defend their country.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Honestly? A large sum would refuse and probably riot. Think about the movie "Gangs of New York" where they refuse to accept the draft towards the end. I could easily see that.

of course not all would be that way, but most would. especially if it wasnt their favorite politician doing the drafting

 

[Anguspure]

In New Zealand we have recently suffered an event that shocked the nation to the core.
Christchurch mosque shootings - Wikipedia
It is remarkable the strength of unity and commitment to the greater good that was observed across the nation by people of all ages, even to the extent of compromising many preciously held view points and sentiments.
If a common enemy where to be faced I think the people of our nation, including the young would be only too willing to join the effort to protect their families and nation against attack.

 

[Dave-W]

It would probably take a full scale physical invasion of our mainland 48 states to get any kind of positive response to such a call.

 

[Aussie Pete]

What do you think would happen if your country was being invaded and there was a call to arms for all young people 18 to 35 years. Do you think most people would readily enlist or would there be widespread protest and conscientious objectors.

As we have not seen a world war or an invasion of any western nation for going on 75 years now since WW2 and 45 years since the Vietnam war which called for compulsory enlistment I was thinking how would young people react to be forced to enlist and fight in a war. We have become use to relative peace and it seems there is a sense of entitlement with young people today. Respect has diminished and it seems many are demanding their rights. Western nations support individualism where people are more concerned about themselves than the group, community or national concerns.

But war can change things and young people are suddenly pushed out of their comfort zone. So how do you think they would react considering that this generation would not have any idea of what it would be like to face a life and death situation and defend their country.

It would be a shock to the system. If it was against home soil, I'd expect people to rise up and defend the nation. Another overseas venture? Good question. Vietnam was a catastrophe. The war could have been over in weeks. Too much politics, too little commitment, too much fear of Russian involvement, a gross underestimation of the North Vietnam regime and a hostile press. Has any lesson been learned? I doubt it.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Honestly? A large sum would refuse and probably riot. Think about the movie "Gangs of New York" where they refuse to accept the draft towards the end. I could easily see that.

of course not all would be that way, but most would. especially if it wasnt their favorite politician doing the drafting

I don't know. I think it depends on the level of threat. Trust of politicians is at an all time low. There was a lot of creative draft dodging in the Vietnam era (yes, I'm that old). It may harder now with so much surveillance available. If your home town is threatened, I expect many people would rally to defend it.

 

[timewerx]

The only realistic way to invade USA "upfront" (an obvious declaration of war) is by surprise....

That is rather a technological "impossibility" unless opposing forces have in possession of a very advanced technology we don't know of???

Because USA have nuclear submarines/deterrent forces around the world...If it sees you invading, you're toast....

If you do not want that, you go straight for the white house, pentagon, langley, etc and somehow elude all the incredibly advanced American air defense systems that can now render stealth technology useless.

This has to be an elaborate spy/inside job or somehow, in possession of a stealth aircraft that can fly at hypersonic speeds and be able to stop in a dime and hover and settle down like a helicopter. That is "alien tech" territory to be honest. Nothing we've seen before or imagine in the next decades.

It's much more likely for USA to taste war within its soil via Civil War.

A CIVIL WAR.. this is something you don't want and should try to prevent as possible!

 

[Dave L]

An all volunteer army is a perfect storm for a coup. A military draft insures no group can consolidate and take over the nation from within. But Conscientious Objector laws should continue to verify the sincerity of the applicant.

 

[Aussie Pete]

The only realistic way to invade USA "upfront" (an obvious declaration of war) is by surprise....

That is rather a technological "impossibility" unless opposing forces have in possession of a very advanced technology we don't know of???

Because USA have nuclear submarines/deterrent forces around the world...If it sees you invading, you're toast....

If you do not want that, you go straight for the white house, pentagon, langley, etc and somehow elude all the incredibly advanced American air defense systems that can now render stealth technology useless.

This has to be an elaborate spy/inside job or somehow, in possession of a stealth aircraft that can fly at hypersonic speeds and be able to stop in a dime and hover and settle down like a helicopter. That is "alien tech" territory to be honest. Nothing we've seen before or imagine in the next decades.

It's much more likely for USA to taste war within its soil via Civil War.

A CIVIL WAR.. this is something you don't want and should try to prevent as possible!

The US armed forces have been fighting unwinnable wars for years and it shows. The US has technologically advanced equipment. So has China, Russia and to some extent India. The US has been arming the Middle East as if there was no tomorrow. China and Russia have nuclear subs, cruise missiles and sub launched nuclear weapons. The US is not as safe as it may think. The big unknown is the rogue state, for example a nuclear armed Iran. Some of their fanatics are nutty enough to launch an attack even though it is suicidal. If China, Russia or both chose to attack while the US is dealing with Iran, it could get messy. Osama bin Laden said that Al Qaeda's objective was to bankrupt the US by luring it into unwinnable wars. He said it openly. And it's happening. All the high tech is incredibly expensive. I'm ex military. I was in the Royal Australian Navy, countermeasures. Our training included some eye opening defence issues. I've been out for a long time now, but I'd be amazed if the Pentagon does not run defensive scenarios routinely. The scene is changing so quickly it's anyone's guess what will come up next.

 

[stevevw]

Honestly? A large sum would refuse and probably riot. Think about the movie "Gangs of New York" where they refuse to accept the draft towards the end. I could easily see that.

of course not all would be that way, but most would. especially if it wasnt their favorite politician doing the drafting

I think the attitude of a lot of young seem to be against their own nations way of doing things. They see most politicians as being a negative influence and protest against most of the policies they have. So I would imagine the decision to go to war would be another act they would protest against. I have a sneaking suspicion that perhaps part of why many young people would be against the military is because it demands discipline and sacrifice something many young people are not wiling to partake in with the me generation.

 

[stevevw]

In New Zealand we have recently suffered an event that shocked the nation to the core.
Christchurch mosque shootings - Wikipedia
It is remarkable the strength of unity and commitment to the greater good that was observed across the nation by people of all ages, even to the extent of compromising many preciously held view points and sentiments.
If a common enemy where to be faced I think the people of our nation, including the young would be only too willing to join the effort to protect their families and nation against attack.

Yeah I guess when people are faced with an event like that it is surprising how people come together and stand up. This has happened with natural disasters as well or in the past with the Bali bombings where many Aussies were killed.

 

[Knee V]

I believe that a direct military invasion would stir plenty of people to action to defend their homeland.

 

[stevevw]

I believe that a direct military invasion would stir plenty of people to action to defend their homeland.

People say that the military would be a good way to get young people into action and give them some direction in life. Like a wake up call.

 

[Anguspure]

People say that the military would be a good way to get young people into action and give them some direction in life. Like a wake up call.

That is of course the purpose of the current dominant discourse on climate change; a common enemy against which the world can unify and be directed towards.

 

[stevevw]

That is of course the purpose of the current dominant discourse on climate change; a common enemy against which the world can unify and be directed towards.

The trouble is at least in my state Queensland Australia is that young people are protesting just about every week on climate change and holding up everyone. School kids are taking days off to protest. There is a certain ideology being taught to many young about climate change that is not necessarily explaining the entire picture. They demand all coal mines stop and close down and have no consideration of the impacts. They think anything to do with mainstream government is wrong and needs dismantling.

 

[Anguspure]

The trouble is at least in my state Queensland Australia is that young people are protesting just about every week on climate change and holding up everyone. School kids are taking days off to protest. There is a certain ideology being taught to many young about climate change that is not necessarily explaining the entire picture. They demand all coal mines stop and close down and have no consideration of the impacts. They think anything to do with mainstream government is wrong and needs dismantling.

So the agenda appears to be undermining state and local government in the name of something "good" soon the world will get its "saviour".

 

[Sketcher]

An outright invasion would absolutely get millions to enlist.

After September 11, 2001 many people enlisted, and they continued to do so for the war in Iraq, which turned out to not even be related. That wasn't really an invasion, but a terrorist attack. How much more would a legitimate invasion drive up recruitment.

 

[Sketcher]

It's much more likely for USA to taste war within its soil via Civil War.

A CIVIL WAR.. this is something you don't want and should try to prevent as possible!

We're still healing from the last one. We know we don't want another.

 

[stevevw]

So the agenda appears to be undermining state and local government in the name of something "good" soon the world will get its "saviour".

Not really as we have no other base load power apart from coal at the moment so if they close down the mine we will be subject to constant blackouts and this will affect business's and many peoples livelihoods. That is the problem the young people have been brainwashed into a blinkered view which does not allow for any compromise and the practical implications of the extreme measures they are protesting to have implemented. It is not undermining state and local government but the everyday person who is trying to go about their business and live.

 

[Anguspure]

Not really as we have no other base load power apart from coal at the moment so if they close down the mine we will be subject to constant blackouts and this will affect business's and many peoples livelihoods. That is the problem the young people have been brainwashed into a blinkered view which does not allow for any compromise and the practical implications of the extreme measures they are protesting to have implemented. It is not undermining state and local government but the everyday person who is trying to go about their business and live.

I agree and yet because the issue has been presented in the way that it has to our children, to carelessly dismiss the issue is to identify with the common enemy.
The OP asks: "What do you think would happen if your country was being invaded and there was a call to arms for all young people 18 to 35 years. Do you think most people would readily enlist or would there be widespread protest and conscientious objectors."
In the eyes of our children (because of the PR around environmentalism) the "invasion" has been ongoing since the beginning of the industrial revolution, there is a call to arms and very few, if any of them of them are protesting about it, and almost all of them are willing to enlist in efforts to save the environment. That this is likely to be part of a cynical ploy from the Globalists is regarded as irrelevant and it will be seen as to what measures are regarded as legitimate in fighting the "good" fight.