Poll: Fight or Flight

[commodore96]

Today I had a political science class at my college, and the teacher asked if the government instilled a draft would you join the military or run. I was shocked when I was one of the few people who raised their hand up to say I would serve in the military. So the Escapist I pose you the question would you fight in the military if they established a draft, or flee your country to dodge the draft?

Note: I live in America, so drafting would mean either fighting in Afghanistan, or a possible deployment to Libya to fight. For non Americans in the forum imagine your country was also engaged in Iraq, and had the potential to be involved in Libya. If you live in a country that requires that you serve in your military, like Israel, did/are you going to serve?

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I wouldn't join or leave, they need able-bodied people. They wouldn't take me if I tried. If I was fit enough though, I'd either fucking run or stand up against the conscription.

 

[Littlee300]

Take computer and leave. I can continue studying with my computer. Wikihow a immigration tutorial to Canada and play steam. I would just need a custom back pack or something...

 

[tzimize]

Depends op.

If I was drafted to fight in Iraq or Libya I'd say fuck off, I didnt start or want this war, and I didnt ask my government to get involved.

If my country was invaded though I might take up arms.

 

[kuyo]

It's moot for me, I don't have to dodge cause my body's more diseased than Deadpool's.

 

[Dimitriov]

Ask not what your country...

But seriously, as a Canadian I can say our politicians do many crazy and stupid things, but when the cards are down I love my country. If we were to have a draft again (the last time being WWII) I think it's fair to assume there is a very good reason for it.

I would be ashamed to say I was unwilling to fight for my own freedom and liberty. If your country is in any way just or free, if it aids its citizens at all, if its foundations are built on truth and a better quality of life for its people, how could you not fight for your country when it needs you?

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

Seeing as I want no part in any kind of organised violence whatsoever, I'd take a PC and run.

Every person in the army makes a conscious decision about pulling the trigger, whether it be when they join, or in the battlefield. I don't want to make that decision, and if it came to it, I know I wouldn't fire a shot.

 

[Asuka Soryu]

I'd never be part of a war. War's only good for making use of bodybag's.

 

[Kinguendo]

Depends, if it was a draft for something like World War 2 then I would join... although I am a pacifist so I would need a position that avoided inflicting harm.

However if it was something like Vietnam then no way.

 

[Cry Wolf]

For a draft to have been incited something bad has happened. Either there has been a radical negative change in the government, an extreme adverse change in our society or we're currently involved in a major war that poses a serious threat to Australia.

Given the first, I'd fight the government. A change such as that in the government without social change leads only to a dictatorship. I will not stand for such a thing, even if the fight against the government would cost me my life.

The second is the unlikely occurrence of rapid and extreme social change, and I'd leave. A country is best defined by it's people, and if it's people are no longer that which I respect then I don't respect the country and will want to leave regardless of a draft.

In the third situation I'd likely join the military or a beneficial service - though I'd prefer to never have to take a life. I love the people in my country, and I will do what I can to protect them if things come down to the line.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

As soon as the press release said the draft was going to be reinstated, I would try my hand at enlisting again.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

I would go to Canada I mean Mexico. Yes, Mexico.

 

[Easton Dark]

There's probably a damn good reason for there to be a draft considering how powerful the military is already.

I feel like I'd have to, or just let something horrible happen to people somewhere, abroad or at home. Like WW2 horrible. Couldn't do that.

 

[WolfThomas]

Well if the draft was instituted I'd have pretty good reason for defferring, I'm a fourth year medical student, if they delay in calling me up, they could have me when I'm an intern/resident and more useful.

But if that wasn't the case (say I wasn't do the degree), I would do the smart thing and join the military before they draft me. Even though I serve probably a year longer than the draftees, I can choose my corps and preferences for training and most likely do a safer job.

If this wasn't the case either, I'd go and fight, not run.

 

[Zaik]

I already tried, got medically discharged out of MCRD Parris Island after finishing half of training and then sitting there 4.5 months seeing if we could fix the problem.

So i'd probably fight, yeah. Not patriotism or anything, most people pay to learn how to fight, getting paid to be taught how is pretty cool.

 

[Hader]

I wouldn't have problem with military service in general. But a draft, for the war we are in now, I would not support. I don't think I would flee to avoid a draft though.

 

[Monkestful]

I remember the Republicans and the Democrats trying to accuse the other of potentially reinstating the draft in some relatively recent election or another in the U.S.

That said, if they were throwing the draft around as dirt on the other party, it has gotta be so controversial that the party in charge would only risk it if public opinion was widely for the war.

If public opinion was for the war, there is a better chance it's something worth fighting for, although of course public opinion can be stark raving lunacy at times.

Still, I'd probably join up if called. As Zaik said, it'd be cool to learn to fight.

The benefits afterward, assuming my country wins and I survive, would be kinda cool too. Then there's the whole homeless veteran thing though...

 

[balanovich]

The problem with this (and all) situational question is that the right answer is always: "well, it depends on ... "
Who are we fighting ? Why ? Where ?

 

[Bon_Clay]

Depends op.

If I was drafted to fight in Iraq or Libya I'd say fuck off, I didnt start or want this war, and I didnt ask my government to get involved.

If my country was invaded though I might take up arms.

This. As a Canadian I feel no need to fight in any wars people start and that I have the right to not be involved in them. If they try to force me to go to a some war for no reason they are more of an enemy to me than these people I've never met.

However if someone invaded us or declared war on us specifically I'd probably be up for joining the military if they needed more people. If it gets to the point where you're invaded you're basically in the war regardless so you might as well get some guns and training while you're at it.

 

[Mr Thin]

I would be willing to join, but I'm so weak and frail I'd probably be rejected on general principle.

As in, I doubt I could fire a gun without falling over. Wouldn't do them much good to recruit me.