• Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I understand being scared, but it would be hard for me to abandon my country in its time of need. Not for the government, but for the people that live there.

    ETA: quite a few down votes, no one explaining why though

    • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      There are plenty of reasons that make a person unsuited for combat besides fear. The unwillingness to kill another person is a big one. The awareness that you simply don’t have that kind of thing in you. Seriously, there’s no call for you to smear them like that.

        • ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml
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          5 months ago

          As if those Ukranian men aren’t being forced into infantry when conscripted, give me a break. You really think they are given a choice what role they want?

          • Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            Ukraine has shown extensive combat effectiveness via their use of rocket propelled munitions, I’m sure more and more of these individuals will be trained on HIMARS and Patriot systems now that the US has permitted their use against targets inside of Russia

        • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          Many people cannot, correct. And that does not reflect poorly upon them simply because you can’t understand it. That’s why boot camp weeds out so many people who volunteered but still can’t hack it. Many people don’t even realize they don’t have what it takes. And you think it’s a bad thing for wiser people to recognize it in themselves?

          • Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            I can’t conceive of someone so fearful of war that they’d willingly leave others out to dry in this fashion while hiding behind the forces of another nation.

                • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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                  5 months ago

                  Well it seems like you think you know these people you claim you don’t know. For instance, you keep accusing them of being fearful, and that being the only reason you can think of why people would not be willing to go to war.

                  Can you think of no other reason why people would be unsuited for the military and combat? Because I assure you, boot camp weeds out people who volunteer, and that the military finds unsuitable. Do you think cowardice is the only thing they look for?

                  • Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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                    5 months ago

                    Basic training was the easiest part of my military career. The recruits that went home did so because they got hypothermia or cracked the tops of their humerus, not because they couldn’t hack it mentally. If they wanted to weed out those unfit, then the individual who this article is about would be disqualified or an RTT in basic. I was discharged at the end of my contract because of physical injuries, so I understand being considered unqualified for military service.

                    I cannot think of any reason I wouldn’t defend my home, friends, and family against a foreign invader. If the US was being invaded and my family’s lives were at risk, you can bet your ass I’d be doing everything I could to defend my country.

    • NecroParagon@lemm.ee
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      5 months ago

      I agree with you but I also understand why this is happening. I would be hard pressed to say I would be made out for military service even though I have great respect for those in the military. Cowardice is one reason and a very relatable one at that. To say people aren’t fleeing because of cowardice at all is naive. But to judge them for that is unfair. I think we all agree there.

      That being said, people in your comment chain aren’t taking into account the fact that the very fabric of the Ukrainian society is under threat of total eradication. Historically that brings out a higher calling in people to defend their own homes, their loved ones, and their neighbors.

      At any rate, the fleeing of these men bodes quite poorly for the future of us all.

      I’m tired of people acting like Ukraine isn’t holding back the fascist tide of Russian imperialism to the benefit of us all. If they were to give up today it would spell the end of their civilization, and a start to many great problems for the rest of us. Our peace is paid for in Ukrainian blood right now. Russia is sabotaging several foreign powers with intention to finish this genocide and expand the war. America, Germany, Sweden and elsewhere have been hit. And people act like we’re not going to have to put our own soldiers on the line at some point. And the less Ukrainians in the fight, the sooner that will be.

      Give me the downvotes. I’ve studied Russian history.

      Edit: I’d also like someone to give me an alternative to conscription in their case. I see no other option.