Bringing back National Service

[Fume troll]

Feasible? Good idea? They still have it in Norway (where else?) and it seems to work.

I'd have approved even when I was at an age that it would have effected me.

Yes, it would cost money to set up, but if you let people with jobs opt out or defer service, and made everyone else do it, you'd also save on benefits, so some of that would be offset.

I wouldn't limit it to the military, I'd include civil/public projects - although it would be run in a military fashion.

Cheers,

FT.

[onomatopoeia]

No thanks, after school to 18 and university to 22 I was ready to work for a living.

[parakitaMol.]

Fume troll said:

Feasible? Good idea? They still have it in Norway (where else?) and it seems to work.

FT.

A Norwegian Doctor friend of mine talks fondly of his time playing with guns, grenades and blowing things up.

But yes. Give these Nylon Tracksuit + Dog types - a taste of discipline & real world. Good idea.

And if they can't do that then community service roles in return for their benefits.

[Cara Van Man]

totally agree.

It would give society a little structure back by removing these scrotes and containing them within the confines of a barbed wire fence.

They'd learn respect, discipline and backbone. Something that society seems to be lacking.

That, and the fact I could give a few of them a shoeing whilst getting paid.

[Hammerhead]

Good idea. I'd also recommend that all teenagers join the air/sea/army cadets forces as well. Not necessarily for all the guns & ammo stuff, but for the respect it gives to yourself and others.

[davel*]

parakitaMol. said:

Fume troll said:

Feasible? Good idea? They still have it in Norway (where else?) and it seems to work.

FT.

A Norwegian Doctor friend of mine talks fondly of his time playing with guns, grenades and blowing things up.

But yes. Give these Nylon Tracksuit + Dog types - a taste of discipline & real world. Good idea.

And if they can't do that then community service roles in return for their benefits.

+1

I know a guy who grew up in Norway and he said he had a good time whilst doing it and it taught him quite a few valuable 'life skills'

[pedantlewis]

Fume troll said:

(where else?)

Turkey, for one. No exceptions either, they made a professional basketball player come back from the USA a couple of summers ago to serve his.

I think it would probably do a lot of people a lot of good.

[Oily Nails]

Military National Service? for the Great Unwashed Slobs of our Society? ...er...please No.

However I do believe that those work shy Barstewards should be conscripted into a National Land Service after 6+ months on the Dole.
They would be paid Minimum Wage by the Government and 'hired' out to Farms, Councils and County Projects as Basic Labor. They would be supplied with a 'Working' Uniform and banned from carrying any personal jewelry/clothing.
The Money that they earn from each days pay is theirs to do as they wish.

However any additional 'benefits' they receive would not be into a Personal Account, where it can be spent on a deposit for a 62" Plasma , it wold be paid into a special Government started account with a restricted Debit card. The Card would only be usable in certain supermarkets/shops, restricting their access to unnecessary crap. The card would also be BRIGHT PINK so that its highly VISIBLE to other shoppers (they could do with learning Shame)

By restricting their access to Benefits they will start to work, first in the N.L.S. and then (hopefully) moving onto personal jobs so that they can obtain their 62" TV's

Anyway there is my thoughts

Oh and by having this 'National Land Service' we would require a good deal fewer Seasonal Immigrant laborers. Double Bonus



Flame proof undies on

[Engineer1]

I suspect it would really piss the full time soldiers off, how long would you want national service to last? would this country put up with national service men getting killed abroad?

[otolith]

Perhaps it should be retrospective - anyone born after 1942 should now be compelled to complete their mandatory government service in their free time? It was originally 18 months, extended to two years in the 50's - I'd suggest picking a figure based on how many years of weekends you are willing to give up. Anyone up for that?

[FM]

For me, If done for the right reasons as has been listed previous ..a few life skills etc...catch the listless before they descend into uselessness, no problem. If the motives behind such a scheme were to provide personnel for a `never ending war on terror so off round the world we go` campaign`..then no.

[Fume troll]

otolith said:

Perhaps it should be retrospective - anyone born after 1942 should now be compelled to complete their mandatory government service in their free time? It was originally 18 months, extended to two years in the 50's - I'd suggest picking a figure based on how many years of weekends you are willing to give up. Anyone up for that?

To do 18 months in weekends would take every weekend for 5 years. Plus I'm doing more for the country as is. This is more to target people who:

A. Are not doing much (or the reverse) for their country
B. Need some discipline, experience, skills etc.

Cheers,

FT.

[Justayellowbadge]

Yes Minister said:

Humphrey: You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don't want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: " Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think they respond to a challenge?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?"

Bernard: Oh...well, I suppose I might be.

Humphrey: "Yes or no?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told her you can't say no to that. So they don't mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.

Bernard: Is that really what they do?

Humphrey: Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren't many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.

Bernard: How?

Humphrey: "Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Are you worried about the growth of armaments?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.

[Fume troll]

Oily Nails said:

Military National Service? for the Great Unwashed Slobs of our Society? ...er...please No.

However I do believe that those work shy Barstewards should be conscripted into a National Land Service after 6+ months on the Dole.
They would be paid Minimum Wage by the Government and 'hired' out to Farms, Councils and County Projects as Basic Labor. They would be supplied with a 'Working' Uniform and banned from carrying any personal jewelry/clothing.
The Money that they earn from each days pay is theirs to do as they wish.

However any additional 'benefits' they receive would not be into a Personal Account, where it can be spent on a deposit for a 62" Plasma , it wold be paid into a special Government started account with a restricted Debit card. The Card would only be usable in certain supermarkets/shops, restricting their access to unnecessary crap. The card would also be BRIGHT PINK so that its highly VISIBLE to other shoppers (they could do with learning Shame)

By restricting their access to Benefits they will start to work, first in the N.L.S. and then (hopefully) moving onto personal jobs so that they can obtain their 62" TV's

Anyway there is my thoughts

Oh and by having this 'National Land Service' we would require a good deal fewer Seasonal Immigrant laborers. Double Bonus



Flame proof undies on

It doesn't need to be seen as a punishment, or have any form of stigma attached. Quite the opposite. Most people I speak to about it thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and felt it was good for their development.

Cheers,

FT.

[Oily Nails]

Fume troll said:

Oily Nails said:

Military National Service? for the Great Unwashed Slobs of our Society? ...er...please No.

However I do believe that those work shy Barstewards should be conscripted into a National Land Service after 6+ months on the Dole.
They would be paid Minimum Wage by the Government and 'hired' out to Farms, Councils and County Projects as Basic Labor. They would be supplied with a 'Working' Uniform and banned from carrying any personal jewelry/clothing.
The Money that they earn from each days pay is theirs to do as they wish.

However any additional 'benefits' they receive would not be into a Personal Account, where it can be spent on a deposit for a 62" Plasma , it wold be paid into a special Government started account with a restricted Debit card. The Card would only be usable in certain supermarkets/shops, restricting their access to unnecessary crap. The card would also be BRIGHT PINK so that its highly VISIBLE to other shoppers (they could do with learning Shame)

By restricting their access to Benefits they will start to work, first in the N.L.S. and then (hopefully) moving onto personal jobs so that they can obtain their 62" TV's

Anyway there is my thoughts

Oh and by having this 'National Land Service' we would require a good deal fewer Seasonal Immigrant laborers. Double Bonus



Flame proof undies on

It doesn't need to be seen as a punishment, or have any form of stigma attached. Quite the opposite. Most people I speak to about it thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and felt it was good for their development.

Cheers,

FT.

Ahhh...sorry. Well I'd only use it as a tool to whip the Workshy into contributing to the Country and as a way of dragging our society (kicking and screaming, mind) out of this 'Gimmie,Gimmie' Mindset, where we (the country) OWE them.

[dirty boy]

Isn't Norway regarded as being the best place in the world to live?

If National Service is part of that, then surely it's a good thing?

Nothing wrong with 16-18 year olds doing between 6-18 months service. I think a lot could be learnt in 6 months alone.

I'd be happy to send my son and daughter.

[Justayellowbadge]

dirty boy said:

I'd be happy to send my son and daughter.

To Afghanistan?

[branflakes]

Fume troll said:

Most people I speak to about it thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and felt it was good for their development.

How many of the people you spoke to who enjoyed the experience were forced into doing this against their will?

[Don]

Justayellowbadge said:

Yes Minister said:

Humphrey: You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don't want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: " Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think they respond to a challenge?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?"

Bernard: Oh...well, I suppose I might be.

Humphrey: "Yes or no?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told her you can't say no to that. So they don't mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.

Bernard: Is that really what they do?

Humphrey: Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren't many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.

Bernard: How?

Humphrey: "Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Are you worried about the growth of armaments?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: "Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?"

Bernard: Yes

Humphrey: There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.

That was wonderful at the time and is still wonderful now.

[dirty boy]

Justayellowbadge said:

dirty boy said:

I'd be happy to send my son and daughter.

To Afghanistan?

Is it sunny there?