War Deserters told to leave Canada..

[Flames9_RN 358]

Of course "volunteers" are preferred. In this crappy economy, I would bet enlistment is up!! I have read articles and know personally of a few cases where soldiers were thinking of gettign out at the end of their contracts, but not now!!

[Reba 2]

I read an article just today that the US military turned away more than 40,000 potential recruits because they couldn't qualify for BT. Too fat.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479238,00.html

Pretty sad really when the country is up to its eyeballs in 2 wars, and can't even get some fresh bodies over there because anyone who wants to join is too fat

James said he may sign up again just to go to fat farm

[Bern. 3]

That would be so interesting. US ARMY PRESENTING, FAT FARMS. Do YOU have what it takes to be in the US Army? Then they should turn it into a TV show. I'm sorry but I'm just amused by the idea of a fat farm =( Don't hate me!

[desert_fox 32]

I don't even understand the idea behind a draft. Sure, I get why it might be used to gain a larger military force, but the entire idea behind it is counter-productive.

Let's say a country -- any country -- has a draft policy or reinstates it. The draft will rip men away from their families, friends and career. Now tell me... how many people would want that? By my count, not too many.

If the military has a force comprised of unwilling soldiers, how well does anyone think they'll work? They don't want to be there. They won't fight well (unless it's to save their lives) and could, in some cases, actually prove to be a hindrance to the soldiers who originally signed up. What Second or First Lieutenant really wishes to have a platoon primarily consisting of soldiers who're merely counting the days until their tour of duty is up? I doubt very many would since he wouldn't be able to entirely rely on them.

This isn't to say that all drafted soldiers are bad or worse than the soldiers who signed up willingly. Some are and some aren't. However, logic would dictate that if someone is forced to do something they don't want, they won't put forth everything they have in order to accomplish it.

Actually for many cases its a shame that there isnt a draft. Made a man out of you. Made you accept responsibility. Gave you a direction. Gave you disipline. Got you awqay from your momma.

I had friends (during the draft days, that I was a part of), that had the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. After 8 weeks, they were ""yes sir yes sir"", and straighted out their life.

The first thing they tell you at basic training is "that your mother was wrong", and proceed to tear you down and make a man out of you.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I don't even understand the idea behind a draft. Sure, I get why it might be used to gain a larger military force, but the entire idea behind it is counter-productive.

Let's say a country -- any country -- has a draft policy or reinstates it. The draft will rip men away from their families, friends and career. Now tell me... how many people would want that? By my count, not too many.

If the military has a force comprised of unwilling soldiers, how well does anyone think they'll work? They don't want to be there. They won't fight well (unless it's to save their lives) and could, in some cases, actually prove to be a hindrance to the soldiers who originally signed up. What Second or First Lieutenant really wishes to have a platoon primarily consisting of soldiers who're merely counting the days until their tour of duty is up? I doubt very many would since he wouldn't be able to entirely rely on them.

This isn't to say that all drafted soldiers are bad or worse than the soldiers who signed up willingly. Some are and some aren't. However, logic would dictate that if someone is forced to do something they don't want, they won't put forth everything they have in order to accomplish it.

Actually for many cases its a shame that there isnt a draft. Made a man out of you. Made you accept responsibility. Gave you a direction. Gave you disipline. Got you awqay from your momma.

I had friends (during the draft days, that I was a part of), that had the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. After 8 weeks, they were ""yes sir yes sir"", and straighted out their life.

The first thing they tell you at basic training is "that your mother was wrong", and proceed to tear you down and make a man out of you.

I'm sure it did "make a man out of you" and made you learn discipline. However, I still maintain that volunteering for military service is vastly preferable to being drafted.

Your example of "jail or military" isn't a great one. Sure, they might have been yelling "Sir, yes, sir!" after all was said and done, but most people don't have to deal with that. A lot of people who have jobs and families would be entered into the military without having a say in the matter.

Besides... sometimes "tearing a person down" isn't the best method. It might work in some cases, but I can't imagine telling someone that "their mother was wrong" would really motivate them to fight -- and possibly die -- for their country.

[Ban Hammer 13,133]

I read an article just today that the US military turned away more than 40,000 potential recruits because they couldn't qualify for BT. Too fat.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479238,00.html

Pretty sad really when the country is up to its eyeballs in 2 wars, and can't even get some fresh bodies over there because anyone who wants to join is too fat

James said he may sign up again just to go to fat farm

reba, they did those people a favor. anyone overweight in basic is put thru the wringer by the d.i. - and yes, they'll lose weight, but it's very unpleasant.

[Flames9_RN 358]

At 1 time in the Cdn forces one had to be within their healthy BMI range to get accepted into the Forces. Was simple, not in that BMI range, you didn't get an offer. But that was ruled unconstitutional or something like that. And during basic training,if you could not reach the minimum levels you got extra Physical training, which was probably a good thing! As those people were out exercising, and the rest of us were cleaning,lol Not sure who were the suckers in that situation,lol

[Krikit 1,163]

The first thing they tell you at basic training is "that your mother was wrong", and proceed to tear you down and make a man out of you.

Edited January 13, 2009 by Krikit

[Reba 2]

reba, they did those people a favor. anyone overweight in basic is put thru the wringer by the d.i. - and yes, they'll lose weight, but it's very unpleasant.

Of which I am well aware. James is a Marine, he's told me many stories about his DI when he was going thru BT. And he did a couple extra weeksfor specialized training. I know quite a few military types from all branches who have somehow managed to survive BT.

Main reason I never joined up with the Canadian forces (had actually considered it after highschool for a bit) but I knew I'd never make it thru training.

I was surprised in the article that their idea of an "acceptable" BMI is as high as it is at 30. I guess they figure the 6 weeks of jumping over walls and thru hoops will shed some of that.

[Caladan 19]

BMI measures weight-to-height ratio, and so it's conceivable that a big strong guy could be pushing 30 BMI easily, without being seriously out of shape.

[Emancipation 2]

Hubby went to military fat camp when he was on Diego Garcia.. he said it involved running through the jungle day after day after day

[Flames9_RN 358]

BMI measures weight-to-height ratio, and so it's conceivable that a big strong guy could be pushing 30 BMI easily, without being seriously out of shape.

Belive it or not,the military does have some commonsense when it comes to that,lol

[desert_fox 32]

I don't even understand the idea behind a draft. Sure, I get why it might be used to gain a larger military force, but the entire idea behind it is counter-productive.

Let's say a country -- any country -- has a draft policy or reinstates it. The draft will rip men away from their families, friends and career. Now tell me... how many people would want that? By my count, not too many.

If the military has a force comprised of unwilling soldiers, how well does anyone think they'll work? They don't want to be there. They won't fight well (unless it's to save their lives) and could, in some cases, actually prove to be a hindrance to the soldiers who originally signed up. What Second or First Lieutenant really wishes to have a platoon primarily consisting of soldiers who're merely counting the days until their tour of duty is up? I doubt very many would since he wouldn't be able to entirely rely on them.

This isn't to say that all drafted soldiers are bad or worse than the soldiers who signed up willingly. Some are and some aren't. However, logic would dictate that if someone is forced to do something they don't want, they won't put forth everything they have in order to accomplish it.

Actually for many cases its a shame that there isnt a draft. Made a man out of you. Made you accept responsibility. Gave you a direction. Gave you disipline. Got you awqay from your momma.

I had friends (during the draft days, that I was a part of), that had the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. After 8 weeks, they were ""yes sir yes sir"", and straighted out their life.

The first thing they tell you at basic training is "that your mother was wrong", and proceed to tear you down and make a man out of you.

I'm sure it did "make a man out of you" and made you learn discipline. However, I still maintain that volunteering for military service is vastly preferable to being drafted.

Your example of "jail or military" isn't a great one. Sure, they might have been yelling "Sir, yes, sir!" after all was said and done, but most people don't have to deal with that. A lot of people who have jobs and families would be entered into the military without having a say in the matter.

Besides... sometimes "tearing a person down" isn't the best method. It might work in some cases, but I can't imagine telling someone that "their mother was wrong" would really motivate them to fight -- and possibly die -- for their country.

They never men with families.

The idea behind basic training is to make you think their way...that is how it is done, and it has worked for decades. You dont know much about the military then....you make the other guy die for his country and you protect your buddies.

[trailmix 77]

I don't even understand the idea behind a draft. Sure, I get why it might be used to gain a larger military force, but the entire idea behind it is counter-productive.

Let's say a country -- any country -- has a draft policy or reinstates it. The draft will rip men away from their families, friends and career. Now tell me... how many people would want that? By my count, not too many.

If the military has a force comprised of unwilling soldiers, how well does anyone think they'll work? They don't want to be there. They won't fight well (unless it's to save their lives) and could, in some cases, actually prove to be a hindrance to the soldiers who originally signed up. What Second or First Lieutenant really wishes to have a platoon primarily consisting of soldiers who're merely counting the days until their tour of duty is up? I doubt very many would since he wouldn't be able to entirely rely on them.

This isn't to say that all drafted soldiers are bad or worse than the soldiers who signed up willingly. Some are and some aren't. However, logic would dictate that if someone is forced to do something they don't want, they won't put forth everything they have in order to accomplish it.

Actually for many cases its a shame that there isnt a draft. Made a man out of you. Made you accept responsibility. Gave you a direction. Gave you disipline. Got you awqay from your momma.

I had friends (during the draft days, that I was a part of), that had the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. After 8 weeks, they were ""yes sir yes sir"", and straighted out their life.

The first thing they tell you at basic training is "that your mother was wrong", and proceed to tear you down and make a man out of you.

I'm sure it did "make a man out of you" and made you learn discipline. However, I still maintain that volunteering for military service is vastly preferable to being drafted.

Your example of "jail or military" isn't a great one. Sure, they might have been yelling "Sir, yes, sir!" after all was said and done, but most people don't have to deal with that. A lot of people who have jobs and families would be entered into the military without having a say in the matter.

Besides... sometimes "tearing a person down" isn't the best method. It might work in some cases, but I can't imagine telling someone that "their mother was wrong" would really motivate them to fight -- and possibly die -- for their country.

They never men with families.

The idea behind basic training is to make you think their way...that is how it is done, and it has worked for decades. You dont know much about the military then....you make the other guy die for his country and you protect your buddies.

They never what...never 'draft' men with families??

And this: You dont know much about the military then....you make the other guy die for his country and you protect your buddies.

Not sure what you mean here?

Edited January 13, 2009 by trailmix

[desert_fox 32]

ooopppps.....meant to say that they were not drafting men with families....usually was guy right out of high school with no direction in life. You could even get a student deferrment if you were in college, but they could get you afterwards (befor age 26). Thqt is what happened to me during VN war....I got my draft notice so I joined the AF instead and went to officers training school.