Robert wrote:
> > In the west, I agree. Israel is a different story.
> >
> Israel is not at peace. It's not quite at war but there are sufficient
> external
> threats to make conscription useful.
>
> Broadly speaking volunteer armies will be well motivated but,
> in times of peace, many conscripts will not be. They are just
> doing their time. Volunteers can typically also spend longer
> in the army than is viable for conscripts.
>
> Israeli conscripts will be well motivated, because there is
> a real threat to their nation. Russian conscripts certainly
> aren't.
More than that, military service is important, in Isralie society.
It's hard to put in writing, really.
Army service is one of the things which, in many ways, defines Israel.
I certainly intend to voluteer for the army when I my Alyiah after my
degree...they more-or-less have to accept me for 100 days service, and
I intend to get a years service if I can.
My parents reaction when I told them that was downright funny. Then again,
only my other has been to Israel, and only for four days. They simply don't
see what I do in Israel, they don't feel anything for it.
Andy
