DW: Latvia reintroduces compulsory military service
The Baltic nation feels threatened due to the war in Ukraine. But, as a visit to a skatepark in the capital shows, many young men are not convinced that compulsory military service is the right reaction.
Skateboarders are known for their rebellious ways. So it's hardly surprising that the Latvian government's recent decision to reintroduce compulsory military service has not gone down particularly well with the young people at a skatepark in central Riga, the country's capital.
"I'd rather be skateboarding, I want to be a free person, not shooting," a 21-year-old shouted before heading down the ramp.
Although he is unlikely to be drafted yet, military service will soon become mandatory again for all 18 to 27-year-old males in Latvia. Women will be allowed to participate voluntarily. The decision was made by the country's parliament on April 5.
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Update: Latvia brings back mandatory military service (Meduza)
WNU Editor: A quarter of Latvia's population is Russian speaking. I am sure many are not on board with being conscripted in an army that does not permit Russian to be spoken.
Surely any objectors can just throw on a gingham dress and identify as a woman (and opt out). After all, a NATO country must have modern values, Nicht Wahr?
ReplyDeleteThe most dangerous part of the Latvian service is keeping the most dangerously funny part of the Funniest Joke in the World separate until the moment of execution on the battlefield. .
ReplyDeleteWhole units were lost in the early sixties when two guys violated the protocols to "have a laugh." ☠️
Obviously those were austrian and danish forces, not Latvian in that era.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qklvh5Cp_Bs
ReplyDeleteMonty Python Funniest Joke
only the unemployed have time for youtubing
ReplyDeleteWhich makes the unemployed more informed and up to date, so listen up.
DeleteOnce again the WNU Editor using the 'Russian language' as a flawed basis for his reasoning.
ReplyDeleteWhy not? Shoe fits, wear it. If I spoke Russian and lived in Latvia, I would. It be happy to join the Latvian army either. Especially if they do not like who I am from the start.
ReplyDelete