this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2026
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56
Would you accept or refuse the draft if your country decided to reinstate it? (piefed.social)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by SilentStriker@piefed.social to c/europe@feddit.org
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To put it in perspective: the USA has it (but dormant as it was last used in the 60s) now, instead part of an automatic register. I've heard that last year Germany for example proposed to impose a mandatory, volunteer-focused military service model on boosting defense against threats like Russia but would you really enlist in the German Army (Bundeswehr) or refuse instead of adhereing to politicians interests?

I've heard a similar thing in France with them introducing a new voluntary 10-month military service program for 18-19 year olds starting this summer 2026, but would guys there be willing to enlist or outright refuse? What ever the case is, would guys in Europe either accept voluntary military service imposed by their nation or refuse to enlist as they know that politicians are the ones who instigate wars in the first place?

For EU nations that still have the draft enforced (mandatory conscription): what happens if guys refuse it? Do they end up in jail? In that case, would you rather be imprisoned for refusing or comply? I know that some countries have alternative service (civic) rather than conventional military service, but what happens if the individual refuses either? I mean, is it a criminal offense for simply refusing conscription?

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[–] timestatic@feddit.org 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

People can refuse and do civil service here in germany. If I was drafted I would do my service because I believe my country and Europe in general is worth defending and there is a lot to be learned even if I don't wish to die. There are also a lot more things to be learned on a personal level even if it hopefully never comes to a direct military confrontation. I would most certainly want the service to not only include men this time as I would find this to lowkey be against gender-equality, as I believe it has to be equal in both directions.

I don't believe I would willingly die for any abstract country or concept, but I would certainly risk my life to defend it. I would much rather risk my life to protect the people I love and the European Union with all it stands for than just let Russia take over and destroy our collective future.

I honestly think if it came to a hard confrontation war would be pretty costly for both sides but there is no way Russia would get the better of us if we sticked together.

But I guess this doesn't mean much because I actually thought about serving a year voluntarily (although the timing didn't line up and I would have had to take 2 years break since they need 3/4 months to find a spot for me to serve)

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Welcome to Greece, where once you turn adult(18-19), you have to go to army. If you don't show up, police or stratonomia searches for you, and if you fully never show up, you are called insubordination, and you get fine around 6k and you go to military court. You get to serve 12 months on mainland, 9 in boarders. The only way to avoid it is if you have some kind of medical situation, pay for it or have someone to move the strings, and still they will accept you, but unarmed. Apart from it, the worst part, is the training, they teach you old stupid stuff, and the weapons are so bad that you can't even hit target, no matter how good you are! I did 9 months, and the training was the worst thing I ever done on a WW2 machinery. The thing is that training will probably change, as army is doing changes lately(Bless Niko Dendias). Will see.

[–] SilentStriker@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

What's the public opinion regarding Greek politicians? Is it worth fighting for the government? Speaking of that, I've heard that Americans who refused the draft back in the 60s crossed the Canadian border. I mean, can people in Greece just enter and hide in neighboring countries to avoid conscription?

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Of course it's not worth fighting for a government that can't stop scandals going on and on IMO. I forgot to mention that we where used to get paid 8.50 euros per month, which a year after was raised, but still, what they expect us to do with 8.50??
You can leave the country, but after a while they call you deserter, and coming to Greece will be limited, I think max 3 months of stay.
Greek politicians have a bad reflection.

[–] SilentStriker@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

8.50 euros
Is that after taxes? WTF? Might as well consider it a "slave" wage. For perspective: a private in the US army gets paid $28,886 (~24,957€) per annum or about $2,407.20 (~2,079.80€) per month.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's reality. There were people who couldn't afford to serve in another town, let alone the transport tickets.

[–] SilentStriker@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

What can you buy with 2,079.80€ (or 24,957€ for an entire 12 months) in Greece? Is it because their salary is being deprived (using the excuse, "taxes") but instead put into politicians pockets? I wonder...

[–] nykula@piefed.social 1 points 1 month ago

My experience is that people who say they'll definitely enlist and who shame others for being "cowards", well, mostly haven't enlisted (too young, too sick, too activist, not AMAB, emigrated at first opportunity) since shit hit the fan. I haven't enlisted because I have chronic health issues; this didn't stop cops from distrusting my documents, detaining me and trying to forcefully enlist me. I'm supposed to go through the military medical commision every year but I don't trust them (only did it once), there's lots of neglect and abuse happening during the actual war; if I go through it again and this time they disregard my diagnoses, I'll face prison. I respect those who enlist though, and donated my enlisted friends money for equipment when I had a better salary; I also closed my civilian black-day deposit and lent the military money for a year (the profit covers a part of what I have to pay the lawyer who'll try to object to my illegal detention and fine).

[–] p_kanarinac@retrolemmy.com 1 points 1 month ago

In a very unlikely scenario they decide to drsft me, I would happily refuse.

[–] Atomic@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago

I'm saying this as the perspective of a Swede that trusts his government.

Yes. I think military basic training is a good thing. My generation was not drafted/conscripted due to incredibly low budget. But it has since then increased.

You're first sent to "mΓΆnstring" where your physical abilities are tested. And from there, you may or may not be selected.

Failing to enlist after being drafted or conscripted is a criminal offense. Straight to jail.

We also have something called "total defense" where if we are attacked. Everyone between the age of 16 to 70 must enlist to serve their country. The manner of which you do will vary, it can be civil duty, it can be military duty, it can be that you continue with your life as is, or that you are now driving transport trucks for the military, maybe you now work in an ammunition factory, maybe you do quality control of rifles, maybe you are now a nurse, doctors assistent. Or maybe you are deployed.

All and any information that resistance shall stop is false.

[–] ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 1 points 1 month ago (6 children)

Yes, refusing draft is punishable by jail. I knew people that were hiding from MP for years. It's not like they had to hide in some basement but they definitely couldn't just live under their registered address. The risk of getting arrested was always there. There was some statue of limitations on it so you only had to hide until you're 28 or something like that.

As for your question, for me it depends on the war. If someone would try to draft to invade other country I would refuse. If other country invaded Spain I would defend it (well, not Catalonia or Pais Vasco obviously but other communities for sure).

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[–] varyingExpertise@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago

I did 20 years ago and I would do again. Can't enjoy living here and when something comes and threatens that put my hands up and let somebody else do the work.

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