Would you be willing to fight to defend your country?

Skybird · 02-15-17, 07:08 PM

https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comm...e8&sh=d3234c04 It could have been worse for Germany. We could have ended like in the last ESC - as last.

02-15-17, 08:18 PM

A fairly meaningless survey. What does 'fight for your country mean'?* Actively participate in any military action whatsoever, regardless of what the reason for it was? Take part in military action where your country was under immediate threat? Or take part in a civil war to ensure your country followed a specific course, or was led by specific individuals (I see Afghanistan is near the top of the list)? And then there is a question as to what 'your country' means - as far as the UK is concerned for example, it isn't always clear cut.

And then there is the issue of who you are asking: I think it highly unlikely at my age that circumstances would arise where I'd be asked to participate in a war. I can't seem to find the original survey results online, but according to Huff Post UK, "The survey, conducted across 64 countries, found that 18-24 year-olds were most likely to say they would take up arms, while men were 15% more likely to do so than women" ()http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015...n_6940594.html). Which rather suggests that people are most likely to answer 'yes' if they are among the demographic most likely to be asked to fight. Furthermore, such international surveys are always prone to inaccuracy simply because questions have to be translated: even minor changes in wording in a single-language survey can often result in significantly different results. Taking all this into consideration, I'd suggest that the survey is good for little beyond generating headlines on an off day.

*Note the wording of the survey question (at least as reported by Reddit and the Huff Post) isn't the same as Skybirds topic title.

Oberon · 02-15-17, 08:27 PM

The best I could hope to be would be a sandbag.

No, I'm no soldier, if the situation arose where those I love were threatened, then I would fight, but beyond that I make no promises or pledges of loyalty.

August · 02-15-17, 08:52 PM

I once wrote the government a blank check on my life and i'd volunteer again if the cause was just.

Oberon · 02-15-17, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I once wrote the government a blank check on my life.

If I did that it would probably bounce.

Catfish · 02-16-17, 02:55 AM

I would have, certainly. Back then i hated army and navy for the boring waste of time and had some clashes with superiors, but i did my job. I was actually quite good in it, but saw no future in the military.
We had an instructor during basic training which [sic] was a swine. I am sure he would have been shot from behind in the first day of a real war.
With some more intelligent people i guess it could have been a completely different experience. But certain people and mindsets seem to accumulate in certain .. branches.
I'm too old by now anyway.

Last time i thought i'd really take up a weapon was when 'Daesh' destroyed Palmyra.

^^^ Sandbag would be a good job description for me though

ikalugin · 02-16-17, 04:53 AM

In general I will. However I also must, as I am a reservist and if reservists are mobilised I am legally obliged to answer that call. This means that if Russia was invaded or if general war has began I would go into the Armed Forces.

That said I would only volonteer in only few cases, when I both feel strong moral responsibility to go and when there is no official mobilisation. Back in 2014 I was considering going to Ukraine.

Catfish · 02-16-17, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikalugin

[...] Back in 2014 I was considering going to Ukraine.

For which side.. ?

ikalugin · 02-16-17, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

For which side.. ?

Separatists.

Oberon · 02-16-17, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

We had an instructor during basic training which [sic] was a swine.

Was his name Himmelstoß?

Jimbuna · 02-16-17, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

The best I could hope to be would be a sandbag.

At my age, the same but in younger years I reckon I would have and being a LEO meant I had an automatic exemption.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

No, I'm no soldier, if the situation arose where those I love were threatened, then I would fight, but beyond that I make no promises or pledges of loyalty.

Yes, without a doubt.

ikalugin · 02-16-17, 07:37 AM

Meanwhile:
http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53883
Looks like the tensions are rising.

Oberon · 02-16-17, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Meanwhile:
http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53883
Looks like the tensions are rising.

Seems fairly straight-forward, google translate notwithstanding, it's a similar viewpoint that most nations are taking, that things are not improving in the global security situation. A resumption of activities in the Ukraine is very likely with the US not sure which way it's going and the EU in the midst of self-destruction. I'm interested to see what becomes of Belarus in the coming twelve months.

ikalugin · 02-16-17, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Seems fairly straight-forward, google translate notwithstanding, it's a similar viewpoint that most nations are taking, that things are not improving in the global security situation. A resumption of activities in the Ukraine is very likely with the US not sure which way it's going and the EU in the midst of self-destruction. I'm interested to see what becomes of Belarus in the coming twelve months.

Lukashenko tried to sit on two chairs for too long, I hope he learned from Yanukovich.

http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/art...oe-uproschenie
Levada-center (a social reserach/polling organisation) complains that Russian society grows more authoritarian by the day.
p.s. the article is quite interesting and is worth reading.

August · 02-16-17, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Separatists.

I thought your boss said no Russian troops were fighting with the separatists? Seems that was a lie based on your post.

02-15-17, 07:08 PM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Would you be willing to fight to defend your country? https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comm...e8&sh=d3234c04 It could have been worse for Germany. We could have ended like in the last ESC - as last. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

02-15-17, 08:18 PM	#2
AndyJWest Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	A fairly meaningless survey. What does 'fight for your country mean'?* Actively participate in any military action whatsoever, regardless of what the reason for it was? Take part in military action where your country was under immediate threat? Or take part in a civil war to ensure your country followed a specific course, or was led by specific individuals (I see Afghanistan is near the top of the list)? And then there is a question as to what 'your country' means - as far as the UK is concerned for example, it isn't always clear cut. And then there is the issue of who you are asking: I think it highly unlikely at my age that circumstances would arise where I'd be asked to participate in a war. I can't seem to find the original survey results online, but according to Huff Post UK, "The survey, conducted across 64 countries, found that 18-24 year-olds were most likely to say they would take up arms, while men were 15% more likely to do so than women" ()http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015...n_6940594.html). Which rather suggests that people are most likely to answer 'yes' if they are among the demographic most likely to be asked to fight. Furthermore, such international surveys are always prone to inaccuracy simply because questions have to be translated: even minor changes in wording in a single-language survey can often result in significantly different results. Taking all this into consideration, I'd suggest that the survey is good for little beyond generating headlines on an off day. Note the wording of the survey question (at least as reported by Reddit and the Huff Post) isn't the same as Skybirds topic title. Last edited by AndyJWest; 02-15-17 at 08:40 PM.*

02-15-17, 08:52 PM	#4
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I once wrote the government a blank check on my life and i'd volunteer again if the cause was just. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

02-16-17, 02:55 AM	#6
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	I would have, certainly. Back then i hated army and navy for the boring waste of time and had some clashes with superiors, but i did my job. I was actually quite good in it, but saw no future in the military. We had an instructor during basic training which [sic] was a swine. I am sure he would have been shot from behind in the first day of a real war. With some more intelligent people i guess it could have been a completely different experience. But certain people and mindsets seem to accumulate in certain .. branches. I'm too old by now anyway. Last time i thought i'd really take up a weapon was when 'Daesh' destroyed Palmyra. ^^^ Sandbag would be a good job description for me though __________________ >^..^<*)))>{ All generalizations are wrong.

02-16-17, 04:53 AM	#7
ikalugin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 3,212 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	In general I will. However I also must, as I am a reservist and if reservists are mobilised I am legally obliged to answer that call. This means that if Russia was invaded or if general war has began I would go into the Armed Forces. That said I would only volonteer in only few cases, when I both feel strong moral responsibility to go and when there is no official mobilisation. Back in 2014 I was considering going to Ukraine. __________________ Grumpy as always.

02-15-17, 08:27 PM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	The best I could hope to be would be a sandbag. No, I'm no soldier, if the situation arose where those I love were threatened, then I would fight, but beyond that I make no promises or pledges of loyalty.

02-16-17, 07:37 AM	#12
ikalugin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 3,212 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Meanwhile: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53883 Looks like the tensions are rising. __________________ Grumpy as always.