Dear Hasbeen,

I admit I know not about the Australian armed services.
I also admit that I haven't been in Vietnam,
but I have been in equivalent situations,
which is why I sought refuge and am now in Australia,
still suffering the occasional nightmare several decades after,
and as for my worst enemies, I wish them a speedy death by heart-attack or snake-bite, but not the life of a conscript.

but not the life of a conscript.
Yuyutsu,
You see using words like conscript is already off the topic. We're talking about young people experiencing a life, a real life, away from pampering parents & softly, softly homosexual bureaucracy.
You obviously never had to do anything for being here but rest assured many of us who pay tax know differently & better.
Are you ready to support a stranger like we've supported you thus ?

Dear Individual,

<<Are you ready to support a stranger like we've supported you thus ?>>

What a huge support and welcome I'm receiving on this page!

If you read a few posts back, you can see that I am more than happy to see my tax-money go towards supporting other Australians, strangers to me, who for whatever reason have no other income (but not when my tax-money is directed elsewhere within government administration).

I thank Australia for allowing me to be here. I arrived as a skilled migrant, I bring my income from overseas, pay my taxes here and the only support I receive or ask from Australia is the support of the land of Australia under my feet, the air of Australia which I breath and the water of Australia which I drink.

Yuyutsu:

"and forcing them for 3 years into jail-like conditions, beleaguered by the worst scum of society, including sadistic criminals,"

How dare you refer to Australian Servicemen as "the worst scum of society"??

I would suggest that had it NOT been for the actions of these people that you refer to as "scum", you would not be here in Australia posting the drivel that have been posting, nor would you have been allowed to express your very strange opinions in this manner!

You have a very strange mindset indeed, and certainly have absolutely no idea of winning the hearts and the minds of the people of this country, people who have given you sanctuary ( although maybe somewhat grudgingly), from whatever demons you perceived were attacking you in your country of origin.

Dear Crackcup,

<<How dare you refer to Australian Servicemen as "the worst scum of society"??>>

Before getting red in the face, take nice 3 breaths and re-read my posts - my account was not referring to Australia, hence had no relation to Australian servicemen.

Australian servicemen are selected rather than conscripted, hence the scum is not admitted to enter the forces and bully the others. Those who do serve in the Australian forces are highly-motivated volunteers who are suited to the task in nature, rather than children forcefully kidnapped from their homes, parents and studies as the case is in other countries.

supporting other Australians, strangers to me, who for whatever reason have no other income
Yuyutsu,
That scenario is the crux of National Service. To offer people the opportunity to become competent thus more useful to themselves & society. How else do you expect them to gain experience & life skills if you don't expose them to it ? Do you really believe education is the problem solver ? No, experience is ! education merely enables a quicker take on things but it does not provide competence & a complimenting mentality. As has so often been stated on OLO people with only idleness at their disposal lose direction & motivation. A national Service exposes even those who already in a healthy state of mentality to other aspects of life which they are not normally exposed to. A National Service is a win-win proposition & those participating in it WILL express their gratitude later in life. I think Government should do a poll on National Service instead of the pointless Liberal?Labor ones.