NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, here's the story.

When I checked my mail about half an hour ago, I found a letter of the Dutch Department of Defense. My first Reaction was:"WTF matey, what did I do wrong this time?"

It turns out to be a letter in which I'm being told that I've been registered for Compulsory Military Service because I turn 17 in a few months. Officially there is no Compulsary Military Service in Holland but:

"If it is necessary due to circumstances, a draft may be reintroduced."

My mom just freaked out when she read the letter, cursing all living and dead gods and saints she knew. But the funny thing is: Compulsory military Service was abolished in 1997, so...

I'm pretty confused and interested at the same time. Is there Conscription or Compulsory Military Service? Have you served in your nations army and what were your experiences?

You could always claim to be a Conscientious Objector or somesuch. Or if that isn't a choice, become a Medic.

Ok, here's the story.

When I checked my mail about half an hour ago, I found a letter of the Dutch Department of Defense. My first Reaction was:"WTF matey, what did I do wrong this time?"

It turns out to be a letter in which I'm being told that I've been registered for Compulsory Military Service because I turn 17 in a few months. Officially there is no Compulsary Military Service in Holland but:

My mom just freaked out when she read the letter, cursing all living and dead gods and saints she knew. But the funny thing is: Compulsory military Service was abolished in 1997, so...

I'm pretty confused and interested at the same time. Is there Conscription or Compulsory Military Service? Have you served in your nations army and what were your experiences?
The Dutch are presumably going to joing the US as they invade Iran, so yeah they need to train more troops.

;)

Just thank yourself you aren't in USA if that happens.
You know where you are going to be deployed (Babylon).

From http://www.wri-irg.org/co/rtba/netherlands.htm

Conscription

In 1992 the Dutch Parliament decided to suspend conscription. The last conscripts were called up for military service in 1996. Since January 1997 the armed forces consist of professional soldiers only.

Conscription is still included in Article 97 of the Constitution, according to which: "All Dutch nationals who are capable of doing so shall have a duty to cooperate in maintaining the independence of the state and defending its territory... This duty may also be imposed on residents of the Netherlands who are not Dutch nationals". According to Article 98: "To protect its interests, the State shall maintain armed forces which consist of volunteers and which can also consist of conscripts... Compulsory service in the armed forces and the power to postpone the call-up in active service shall be regulated by an Act of Parliament".

With the suspension of conscription in 1997 the Law on Conscription was amended. Young men are still registered for military service at the age of 17. They receive a notice of registration from the Ministry of Defence, but they are not called up for medical examination or military service.

Conscription may be re-enforced during wartime or time of emergency. In that case, all registered conscripts up to the age of 45 may be called up for military service.[1]

You know where you are going to be deployed (Babylon).
http://www.keyway.ca/gif/babylon.gif
:eek:

http://www.keyway.ca/gif/babylon.gif
:eek:

USA's secret plan! :D

USA's secret plan! :D

Time Travel! Catch them danged I-raqi terrorists before they're born, and maybe kill that damned commie traitor Judas as well!

Conscription may be re-enforced during wartime or time of emergency. In that case, all registered conscripts up to the age of 45 may be called up for military service.[1]

It sounds similar to the Selective Service in the US.

It sounds similar to the Selective Service in the US.

I suspect most nations are very similar.

I joined the navy out of high school when I was 17 and got my GED after A/tech school. I don't recall signing the selective service thing(I guess because I was in the service at 18 when I think your supposed sign.). I had a good time in, I learned alot, and got some college credits. The recruiters have been harassing me to reenlist though.

Ok, here's the story.

When I checked my mail about half an hour ago, I found a letter of the Dutch Department of Defense. My first Reaction was:"WTF matey, what did I do wrong this time?"

It turns out to be a letter in which I'm being told that I've been registered for Compulsory Military Service because I turn 17 in a few months. Officially there is no Compulsary Military Service in Holland but:



My mom just freaked out when she read the letter, cursing all living and dead gods and saints she knew. But the funny thing is: Compulsory military Service was abolished in 1997, so...

I'm pretty confused and interested at the same time. Is there Conscription or Compulsory Military Service? Have you served in your nations army and what were your experiences?

It's just a letter to let you know you will be called upon when the draft is reinstated. I've had it too. So not likely we will ever have to serve.

Time Travel! Catch them danged I-raqi terrorists before they're born, and maybe kill that damned commie traitor Judas as well!

Wanted: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, 20002. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before (Iraq 1991).

I have elluded my country's compulsory service for years. Starting this year, it's no longer compulsory. So, they can suc...

We don't have a compulsory service here, and if we did, I fully expect if they told me to join up I'd tell them to stick it. Then, possibly, move to New Zealand or somewhere sane.

You could always claim to be a Conscientious Objector or somesuch. Or if that isn't a choice, become a Medic.
That's exactly what I did when I got drafted into the German Bundeswehr:
I became a conscientious objector and then served my community as a paramedic in my civil service year. I've never regretted it although I've seen more dead people (and also had them die under my hands) than all of my friends who had joined the military combined.

We've a draft. I got out of it by manipulating the psychologist at the pre-draft physical.

I would have joined up, but I have tatoos...

Anyways, if they wanted to force me into joining the military, I'd do it just because I'm a bit of a nationalist although I definently would not be happy about it. Don't want to go Muhammed Ali either though...

Wanted: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, 20002. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before (Iraq 1991).
WHEN?

OK, the first thing that comes to mind, putting aside all concerns about raising antagonism, is this: don't be a fucking whiner.

That being said, the fact is, that the "Dutch soil" is an area where the Dutch government reserves the right for legal violence (Weber's definition). If this was not the case, any other government (or wannabe) could oppress the people and claim the right to set the laws, etc. Would you welcome, for example, the Russian army into your home and neighborhood? Being in the army means that you, as a nationstate, assert the right to maintain sole and inviolable dominion over the territory.

And they aren't values if they don't cost anything.

We've a draft. I got out of it by manipulating the psychologist at the pre-draft physical.
You're a gay leftist Swede. As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with this.

You're a gay leftist Swede. As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem with this.

It's sort of like jury duty in the US - the smart find a way to get out of it.

WHEN?

Remember the first Gulf War? Guess who started it...

I would have joined up, but I have tatoos...
As I mentioned, we'll be giving up the draft over here. But when we had it, a tatooed guy would be drafted - and serve his country by laying out railway tracks and cleaning up latrines, together with suicidal people. For real.

a) Don't worry so much, and tell your mum to calm down.
b) Holland is not going to be under attack by anyone but right-wing dickheads, and German hooligans. :D
c) This is just a notice telling you that potentially you may be drafted if the Soviets come.
d) Even if you were drafted, I'm pretty sure the treatment of conscripts in the Netherlands is the same as in Germany, ie no overseas deployment, only for self-defence.

It's sort of like jury duty in the US - the smart find a way to get out of it.
Well, if you define "smart", let's say, in an unique manner. Disregarding the common interest.

There'll always be a fraction of parasitizing freeriders in any society. There's no cure, there's only treatment, and many European nations, high on leftism, have forgotten to administer that. I do believe you can be a real conscientous objector - if you agree to serve for 13 months.

Well, if you define "smart", let's say, in an unique manner. Disregarding the common interest.

There'll always be a fraction of parasitizing freeriders in any society. There's no cure, there's only treatment, and many European nations, high on leftism, have forgotten to administer that. I do believe you can be a real conscientous objector - if you agree to serve for 13 months.
And just what is Finland afraid of? Estonia?

I do believe you can be a real conscientous objector - if you agree to serve for 13 months.
Ahem...you would want an army in which the soldiers don't wanna be there and will try to either give themselves up or desert the first chance they get?

Remember the first Gulf War? Guess who started it...

Poland?

:3

Remember the first Gulf War? Guess who started it...
Yeah, I do remember that.

But you posted to take us back in time to the year 20002!!!

(Hence my question...)

Yeah, I do remember that.

But you posted to take us back in time to the year 20002!!!

(Hence my question...)

We're going back to the future!

Thank God they wouldn't dare bring back the draft in England. I can't understand why any country would want an army of soldiers who are only there because they are being forced, and will do everything really half assed until a war breaks out, at which point they will run away. Or maybe thats just me.

About the only thing that would lead me to take up arms would be the draft. And then I would be on the side against my country.

Yeah, I do remember that.

But you posted to take us back in time to the year 20002!!!(Hence my question...)

No, that's my address. I'm taking us back to 3000 BC...

And just what is Finland afraid of? Estonia?
Russia is the only country within 500 last years to attack Finland. And not just once.

Russia is the only country within 500 last years to attack Finland. And not just once.
My country can beat that (and this also involves Russia). Still, we won't have it any more, and say good riddance.
If Russia attacks you in my lifetime, look me up - I'll let you punch me in the face.

I can't understand why any country would want an army of soldiers who are only there because they are being forced, and will do everything really half assed until a war breaks out, at which point they will run away. Or maybe thats just me.
That's just you. You have really no idea about the effectiveness of drafted armies. People can be, and are, effective soldiers even if they don't want it as a profession.

I kinda enjoyed my time in the army. I love the outdoors and hunting... and it was sort of both. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the testosterone overdrive you get when 12 guys live in the same room...

And you can't really read anything (apart from comics) when in the army... somehow the activities and the guys nullify the reading you have done earlier...

The only thing I didn't enjoy was the testosterone overdrive you get when 12 guys live in the same room...
The funny thing is, that if you measure (and not just make up as a metaphor) the testosterone levels, they're significantly lower than in the civilian life. This was shown in a West Point or Marines camp, if I remember correctly.

I think this is the origin of the legends about anti-erection medication put into the food on Friday.

o...k.
What I was on about, was that the army is a fun game. If you are semi-fit and 18 - what would be more fun than playing a soldier? Well, I enjoyed it the whole 11 months. And I even learned something useful; a gutshot is better than a headshot, it occupies more people... *sigh*

No, that's my address. I'm taking us back to 3000 BC...
Oh, 20002 is the ZIP-code? I didn't know that and all of the sudden - it makes waaay more sense, George!

And 3000 BC is fine with me! I'll invest a cent over the 5000 years time - just make sure you can pay me and my interest rates as well :D:D:D

Well, if you define "smart", let's say, in an unique manner. Disregarding the common interest.

My interest was not to piss away a year and a half doing something I despise. Arcane system of drafted army unsuitable for the times, or not, I always knew exactly how to not be stupid enough to get selected.

here'll always be a fraction of parasitizing freeriders in any society.

Yeah, unclever enough not to get out of something so inane as a draft.

There's no cure, there's only treatment, and many European nations, high on leftism, have forgotten to administer that. I do believe you can be a real conscientous objector - if you agree to serve for 13 months.

Or I can actually do something worth while. And I did, using military cutbacks that will eventually lead to the abolition of the draft to my advantage.

My interest was not to piss away a year and a half doing something I despise. Arcane system of drafted army unsuitable for the times, or not, I always knew exactly how to not be stupid enough to get selected.
Nobody cares what you like. The question is what you need to do. Alright, you're right about the Swedish system being not in sync with the times, since the Swedish army is used only for peacekeeping anyway. I'm going to reveal the top secret Swedish defence policy here in one word: Finland.

Yeah, unclever enough not to get out of something so inane as a draft.
I'm not accusing you of being stupid. I'm accusing you of being a freerider.

Or I can actually do something worth while. And I did, using military cutbacks that will eventually lead to the abolition of the draft to my advantage.
Well, that's true. There really are some people, including me, that actually can serve the country in a state of war better than being a simple soldier.

Nobody cares what you like.

I do, hence the manipulation.

The question is what you need to do.

I needed to get on with my life, not spend a year and a half in servitude to the state guarding a rusting Cold War relic somewhere in Norrland.

Alright, you're right about the Swedish system being not in sync with the times, since the Swedish army is used only for peacekeeping anyway. I'm going to reveal the top secret Swedish defence policy here in one word: Finland.

Well, Finland has always been expendable to us. A nice buffer to use and reuse.

I'm not accusing you of being stupid. I'm accusing you of being a freerider.

You're under the impression a Finn's accusation matters.

Well, that's true. There really are some people, including me, that actually can serve the country in a state of war better than being a simple soldier.

Cannon fodder lost.

Wanted: Someone to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, 20002. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before (Iraq 1991).

http://timetraveler.ytmnd.com/

For the information of the OP, it sounds like you are being informed that you would be liable for conscription IF such a measure were to be taken. Several ways out if you want - conscientious objector, insanity or protected occupation. Don't know what these are in Holland, but here in the UK it basically means that if your job is considered essential to the running of the nation, you can't be conscripted. These include law enforcement, prison guards, undertakers, transport workers (like me) and a multitude of other occupations.

http://timetraveler.ytmnd.com/

Safety not Guaranteed ftw. :cool: