this post was submitted on 15 Apr 2026
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44
If your country's government enforces an automatic draft register, what would be people's reaction? (www.youtube.com)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by SilentStriker@piefed.social to c/europe@feddit.org
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To put it into perspective, the USA is making the draft system automatic from the end of this year and there's opposition to it since the current system is that the individual is registered via the Selective Service System (it's put into the database when one gets a driver's license for example). From their case, the American government's argument is: "it saves money from military recruitment campaigns" which is a pile of horse shit.

I mean, there are European countries where the draft is normal and expected for men over 18 (Austria, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Cyprus & Croatia) including both Norway & Switzerland (despite them NOT being EU members at all). And yes: Ukraine has the draft, since men ages from 18-60 cannot leave the country due to them being made to stay behind on fending off against Russia.

But there are also European countries where the draft is non-existent, remains dormant or abolished: France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Belgium, Netherlands, Albania, Ireland or the United Kingdom. However, what would happen if your country's government suddenly enacts an automatic register for conscription?

As in, your country's government refers to a name list of guys who possess EU identity cards, driver's licenses or passports verifying if they're over 18 by putting their name on a database. Like this: your name refered from your EU identity card now put into a conscription register meaning you can be called up at any time when the circumstances deem it necessary, like all of that done behind everyone's back.

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[โ€“] HuudaHarkiten@piefed.social 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

From what I've heard and seen the main motivations for Americans to join the military is the pay and getting a education (scholarship? Idk the details). Now the pay is not that good, the education doesn't matter because things are going down the toilet anyway... And you still have to go bomb girl schools and stuff. I completely understand the reluctance to join up, forcing people to do so is not going to help either.

[โ€“] SilentStriker@piefed.social 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

American war movies are ridiculous when it comes to the propagandistic messaging behind it, since most always portray them as the protagonist (Top Gun, Hurt Locker, etc). as in order for the director to get access on military hardware: the Pentagon has control on how the script (narrative) is written in exchange on letting the crew use and lend real military equipment with technical advisors on set.

It's known as the Military Entertainment Complex (Sotilasviihdekeskus) which is the cooperation between studios and the armed forces (via the government). It's why Tom Cruise manages to pilot a real fighter jet, for the director to have that on set: he'll have to literally ask the US Navy. What about war movies made by Finns & set in Finland, how does the director or studio obtain military hardware?

[โ€“] HuudaHarkiten@piefed.social 1 points 5 days ago

Military Entertainment Complex (Sotilasviihdekeskus)

No need to translate :) I'm fluent in English :D

What about war movies made by Finns & set in Finland, how does the director or studio obtain military hardware?

I have no idea. I'd assume they ask the museums since most of the Finnish war movies are WW2, Civil War or older.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_(1955_film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talvisota_(film)

If you are at all interested in that sort of stuff, I can highly recommend The Unknown Soldier (specifically the 1955 one, not the modern adaptions). Also the book is excellent.