Australia’s Army is very small compared to other Nations and with the current sabre rattling, reckless rhetoric and closing of Embassies, we could well find ourselves needing more military forces.

Now would.be the time to reintroduce National Service for all, possibly on the Swiss model but with only 3 months initial full time service (we can’t afford more) and then service in the Reserve until 60 years of age.
That way we could have millions of men and women trained in the use off arms and other military skills and ready to fight for Australia at very short notice.

We certainly need to increase our defence spending, and not just on the army. Conscription. Never popular in Australia. The services should be made as attractive as possible to get people to enilst. It's a job for professionals who actually want to do it; not for people forced to do it.

The last thing the army needs is a bunch of conscript petals getting in the way of the few fighting people we do have. Most of our city kids would be frightened that any gun was likely to get them on sight.

My son told a funny story from when he was training professional officer cadets for the navy. These are trained professionals, [Doctors, nurses, engineers etc.] who join as officer cadets, & receive some training before going to the military college in Canberra.

They all had to do some weapon training, including a couple of shoots at a rifle range with the Army Steyr rifle F88 Austeyr assault rifle. He described how long it took for many to understand how to actually aim a rifle. Having got that worked out they then had to lie prone on the mound, & shoot at the target. He was amazed to find that well over half of them would take careful aim as taught, then close their eyes, & screw up their faces,m ready for the big bang, before pulling the trigger.

Having gone through this he then added as an after thought, "oh, & the girls were even worse". The look on their faces when they had to pick up a rifle said heaps about their brain washing education.

These were volunteers, I doubt city petal conscripts are going to be much use defending anything, other than multi sex toilets, verbally

Compulsory National Service 18 months & with a voluntary military component if the candidate's mentality is suitable for a useful service career.
Having served to be a prerequisite for future unemployment benefits under normal physical circumstances.
The money saved on the reduced crime & corruption rate could go towards combating drug abuse.
Are you listening Prime Minister ?

Hi Issy,

I couldn't stop laughing at this latest thread of yours. It beats your thing about an electric gun best suited to Wile Coyote from the Acme Mail Order Co to try and shoot down Road Runner, bep, bep.

Already its flushed out the Usual Suspects, with their gung-ho nonsense. Conscripted army of younger people, naturally not including any of their type.

Paul
Hav,e a good laugh then think about the ramifications of electric guns that can be made from easily obtained components from legal unregulated sources.
If Australia is attacked; and which wealthy undefended country has never been attacked?
Our Army would last about two weeks, the deployment in Timor stretched them to the limit.