Today, I got a letter in the mail box.

The letter was from the Swedish version of the Military Recruitment Center (or whatever you call it over at your guys' place).

The letter stated the kind of thing "We want you in the Swedish Army", and it brought up a lot of questions about my healthcare and how I lived etc.

I've always been fascinated with the military, and with warfare and such. Not in a fascistic way, of course, but in other ways, such as weapons, vehicles and important battles. I've also wanted to experience the training given.

The letter I got stated that I have to do the basic training at 18 years age, unless I had some serious sicknesses, handicaps or something like that. "Military Duty" is what it's called, meaning that I probably have to send back a responce with me going to boot camp for a while.

However, I'm not cut out to be a soldier. I am lazy and unmotivated, I don't work out much at all, and I definately don't like to be "bullied and ordered" around. Not to mention, the training is over a year or two, meaning I won't be able to access the computer, hang around with friends or taking a time of more than a weekend every month.

Basically, this means I really don't want to do this. My hope isn't all out, because they only accept a given number of 18-year old teenagers every year.

But that might not work.

What should I do?

So you guys have, like, conscription over there? Ouch.

Well, if it says you have to, you don't really seem to have a choice in the matter. You've still got a year till you're 18, though, so that's a good amount of time to think about it...

If you take the training, you don't necessarily have to be a soldier, do you? That's what I'm getting out of it...

If you are going to be in war. You must be prepared, first. Take 3 martial arts and learn the basics fast. Then go to a nearby police station and learn there take down techniques.

When in war, you must trust all sences, and must protect every part of your body. Even your ear. For pain can distract you. The human instinct of violence comes in when killing, remeber you are not murdering you are simply fighting for your country.

But if you are not going to War, you have escaped death 1 time. But it'll come back and bite you at the butt was again next time.

Darkhero, they teach you everything you need to know at boot camp. And do you really think Tae Kwan Do or whatever will help you against an AK-47? Score, deflect a bullet with your toe. -_-

But, yeah. If you're interested, go for it. Then, you can decide whether you actually want to be a soldier. Some things can surprise you. As I said, though, you have lots of time. Don't worry too soon. ^_^

My dad got deployed last year from the US army, and he's getting deployed again next year. Both times he's getting lucky and he's being sent to Kosovo instead of Iraq or Afganistan. Last year he worked a lot with members from the Swedish army and he said he noticed 3 things.

1. They're hard workers.
2. Well trained.
3. The women. (XD)

You still got a year and IF you are dragged into it, just know that you're probably not going to be sent anywhere that's extremely dangerous. (Well, there's like, a 60% chance you won't.)

Well Sara, they do. But only to get the other person down. If you knew Martial Art, there can be other ways to get to the enemy. Have you heards of the angle technique? You can deflect bullets , but its useful in hand on hand combat. It helps a lot. Boot Camp is 1 part that gets you perpared enough. But if you go to Martial arts before, you'll be more than prepared. You'd be a one man army!(metaphore <---)

Err...yeah, conscription is the word I was looking for.

Look, I'm not sure you understood me.

I don't want to be sent away to boot camp, but it might happen anyways. I'm not afraid if I'd survive or not, it's just that I wouldn't be able to handle a situation where depending on how good I am, I'd live or die. I can handle that in games, but I don't think I'd be able to in a real life situation.

Also, I'm not suited for killing. Maybe hurt or immobalize, but not kill.

I'm not sure I can explain really.

That sounds so american :/

I hardly know whether to laugh really hard or clap lightly.

---

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem there is a way out of it. You said it was required by law, didn't you?

In the United States, the "military duty" you are talking about is roughly the same. Except, the case here being that you as a man must register when you reach 18, and they will call you if a draft is needed.

I suppose for the case you are describing, you can only hope to get out of it. If you can't, then basic training is, of course, a good life experience in itself, no matter what you think of it now. At the very worst, you can try getting a non-frontline position in the military.

Esgal lives in Sweden. They're not going to be getting in a war anytime soon. Besides, according to Wikipedia, "recruitment has generally shifted towards finding the most motivated recruits, rather than solely on the otherwise most fit for service." So if you're as lazy as you say you are, you won't have to worry about a thing. :P

Maybe I'm being too calm about this, but it just doesn't seem all that terrible to me. Sweden might have spent most of the 16th century rampaging through Europe, but these days it doesn't look like it's going to engage in any sort of large-scale conflict, certainly nothing like Iraq or Afghanistan. I think they have some people deployed in police actions in some world trouble spots, but they're basically just there so that Sweden can claim its supporting imposing order and all that.

Basically, yes, it is a pain in the ass, but not especially life-threatening. And, since you have to go, you might as well try to learn something. (So you can help me conquer the world. ^_^)

Somehow, that both made me more anxious and more calm.

What the heck, if I have to, I'll just say I have a chronic disease. Like laziness.

Note: Sweden has lost 5 soldiers this year due to Afghanistan business.

If he goes against his country then he'd be public enemy no.1.

Yeah, I'll be hated in the whole country for not wanting to kill people.

Seriously man, Sweden isn't anywhere near that patriotic like America.

Isn't the Swedish army like the best armed in the world? They have that flat anti-tank gun thing XD


In russia, if you do not leave your house for the 3 month recruiting period at the age of 18, they can't recruit you ever. But, they have guys watching your door. One step out, and bam.

I suppose it's not so much actually being in the army, as much as charecter training nowardays. If it's a year long, it might be a fun adventure. I know that sounds all arsey and shit, but I mean it.


Failing that, you could cut your leg off.

Eh, getting out of stuff used to be as easy as breaking an ankle. My grandpa got drafted (vietnam or korea or something...) and a week before his unit was getting deployed, he fell out of the back of a truck, broke his ankle, and he ended up not going. Only 3 guys in his unit survived.

Say war iis against your moral, ethical or religious beliefs. Worked for Ali. XD

Anyway, if its a draft and you get sucked in to it just see it as an experienc you could be bettered for.

Ali paid the price of his title for that.

Uh? How often, in a war, do you think you'll be able to get within hand-distance of a soldier? Heck, if you try, you'd probably be shot before you even got there, thus rendering martial arts and police take down techniques useless. Those can be useful in a street fight or something, yes, but in a war? With guns and all? Someone watching a little too much anime? XD Gave me a good laugh though. I'm surprised it didn't say something about learning "the kamehameha."

Ah, and, wrong form of there. ;) You meant "their."

Regardless, in America, at least, purposely avoiding military conscription is considered treason, and, IIRC, can be punished by jailtime. Sweden? Not so sure. You say it's not as patriotic, so you should be fine.

It's true that you can avoid it by being hurt in any way. They can't have an injured soldier out there to begin with- even if it's just a sprained ankle. However, as grondring said, it's Sweden- when're they going to war? XD

Also, agreeing with grondring, they want motivated recruits, unless they're desperate. They'll take the older, determined soldier over the top-of-his-game 18-year-old lazy bum- no offense meant.

EDIT: If my comment to Darkhero came off as a flame, I apologize; I meant the "kamehameha" thing as a joke. XD;

Well, whether it's a flame or not (It isn't, though. :P), I completely second your input. Ooh, wow. I can chop a brick in half. Not that it would help with snipers being able to hit you from thousands of feet away, bombs potentially falling from the sky, and the posssibility of mines beneath your feet. I'm sure punches and kicks would help you loads, eh? :lol:

If you appear extremely depressed, lazy or appear to be homosexual (just act like it.), chances are they'll throw you out. It's not good for the morale of the camp, if you know what I mean.

"Agh! Hundreds of communist snipers and foot soldiers ready with loaded guns! But have no fear! Observe, my mighty... crane style!" *Gets turned in to swiss cheese. And thats how useful martial arts are in war.

"I can harness my Ki and blow them all up in one quick moment. Ka-me-- *blasted*"

Anyway, yeah. Most armies will throw you out for being homosexual, depressed, lazy, or anything besides obedient anyway. In the words of one of my teachers, "It's almost easier to be thrown out of the army than to stay in."

What the hell? I just skimmed through most of that; gave me a good laugh. :lol:


It's true that it's easier to get thrown out rather than stay in; though, it may be fun to register. Because if you register, then you actually have a choice in where you go... Or, atleast that's what my U.S. History teacher said. ._. I have no clue if things are the same in Sweden... What's it like there? Where is it? x_x

Also, in the U.S. Army, if you are drafted, they send you wherever they want in whatever position you're qualified for. However, if you sign up (heck, my grandfather registered right before he was drafted) you, IIRC, get a say at where you go, and what position you have. You could stay out of combat if you sign up.

Who votes that we split some of these posts and send it to that Comedy forum? XD

That's what I just said. :blink: :lol:



People are talking about if you get drafted in the U.S. Military... Didn't they discontinue the draft?
If there was a draft, they couldn't take you if you were the only child or the oldest child. (Or was it youngest?) And they can't take you if you're going to college. Education overrules draft. . . Then there's the already mentioned stuff (homosexual, lazy, diseased, psychotic, etc..)..

I just added the part about the choice of position too. I really just wanted to say the striked out comment- figured I needed content. *shot*

They did discontinue the draft. People are saying if they do. Don't forget women can't be drafted still.

And, I thought it's youngest son. Then again, I could be wrong.

No, they changed that (If I remember correctly, excuse my memory)... Women can be drafted. I remember we were talking about it in History this past year.

Usually getting throiwn out of the army is NOT the best way to go. They can f*** your entire life if you do something in the military. Then if you do any crime they can hold you in military court. Not fun.

There is no gender discrimination except for in the draft. :P

In the British army, women can join, but can't have combat positions. Can be medics and administrators though.

Women can join in the U.S.A. army- they just can't be drafted, IIRC.

EDIT: Yeah, I know Alex already said it, but I was just restating it for míxtil.

That's what I said. D:

Why restate it for me? I care nothing about your insignificant millitary with it's marine core larger than our entire armed forces.

Again: ACT HOMOSEXUAL. You will get thrown out, no question. ^_^

Marine CORPS Mixty, CORPS. I know, the pronunciation ain't what it is, but would you really want the word corpse after a military organization, Even if it is quite fitting. Esgal... about the martial arts thing, as a martial artist I can truly say that it's, well, pointless... given that I have been shot at(bad shot, the damn Blood was, or maybe that's cause I used my EXPERT NINJA SKILLZ!(see what I mean?)) and, uh, martial arts don't help... just like, meditate or something. It'll help you clear your mind. And plus, so many people have said it, when the hell is Sweden gonna go to war?

Sweden has one of the largest amounts of UN soldiers :S

Thanks for the reminder thing.


And yeah, everyone thinks the nations with UN soldier's don't go to war.

we havn't had a drafting in australia since WW2 or somthing. women can become combatants here though they're usually just snipers.

ofcourse martial arts won't help much in a war (might make you faster at pulling a sidearm out though). after all, there's a reason why we've made all these weapons. but ninjas would make the best security guards, silent death from above. after all, you can't kill what you don't see. hmm, maybe you could use ninjas in a night time ambush. though they could probaly use a silencer to a good effect. but yeah, no help for an actual battle.

but wars aren't just about who has the best weaponry. after all, it's not just aim, shoot, kill. there's missing, enemy cover, experience, ambushes, treason, spies, food stock, ammunition supplies, fuel, heavy armour, infantry armour, the speed at which reinforments come in, traps, moral and general competence of the troops. plus there's the occasional secret weapon/strategy, such as hitlers V2 missles. during WW2 the americans and africans lost a massive percentage of troops during their battles, while basically every european nation are all casualty concerned (especially the brits). australia was somwhere in between, more to the casualty concerned side. good thing for the americans that they decided to scrap the human wave tactic, too bad for the soldier that it was decided well after the war.