Sense and nonsense of the German draft

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Actually as far as I know it is. I believe about 50% or more of all possible conscripts choose civil service.

That's still only two choices. In my experience people tend to do better when divided into more than two specializations (broadly speaking, of course)

I don't know whether we would get enough people like that. We would definitely need higher wages. We're suffering a lack of pilots and doctors right now.

If you pay, they will come.

The NCOs can't have there eyers everywhere.So there are places and times where no one will see such BS happen.

A good NCO doesn't have to watch his troops all the time. They will do what is right because they are motivated and have respect for the military. Good leadership starts at the bottom, not the top.

On your final day you have to give back all the stuff you were issued (well most of it, you can keep your boots, shoes and t-shirts). If it'S damaged you're in trouble.

Everyone does that. I was referring more to gear that isn't personally assigned to you.

It's an excuse for not letting people out with it here. If people get injured because of faulty equipment then all (leagl) hell will break loose.

Silent enim leges inter arma. The military should know this above all.

I already thought it would be something like that. i still don't see how anyone can become a crack shot without using the rifle frequently on the firing range. ''
We do something like that in exercises when we simulate fights (the system is called AGDUS). However it doesn't teach you calculate wind into your aim, distance etc.

Most combat takes places at ranges under 300m, where windage isn't really a factor. Even if it was, you don't have time to adjust your sights. The trickiest part of combat marksmanship is adopting the proper firing stance, shooting quickly, and keeping the weapon straight. After that it's just a matter of luck and the number of bullets you can put downrange.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean with that.
You simply don't get any training for being a squad leader if you only serve 9 (or nowadays 6) months.

I mean the system is too rigid. There is no reason why a person cannot be become a squad leader and an elite soldier-recruit in that timeframe. It just takes dedicated training and good leadership.

We use exercise hand grenades (or so I'm told as I never used them, no reason to train an office clerk in that stuff) and the laser stuff (though I believe that needs blank cartridges to work properly).

Having live ammo or sim ammo isn't the most important thing, though it sure helps. The most essential part of field excercises is to teach the important part of fire and maneuver. A good squad leader's squad will not be seen until it is too late, and just as the enemy identifies the target...they get hit in the rear

Making that happen on a consistent basis isn't easy, but it can be done, even without the proper gear. Technically you don't even need weapons; it's just a tactical game of hide-and-seek; teamwork; communications; fire and maneuver; flank and envelop; retreat and ambush, etc...etc...

To me, the BW's problem sounds like one of motivation brought on by an improper system, not by a budget failure.