My 17 year old cousin has just completed training in the RAF. It was thought theres was going to be a possibilty that he would fall into the wrong crowd if he was forced to stay out of the service to complete his A levels. He's not allowed to be posted anywhere until he is 18, so in the mean time he is studying A levels through the RAF and still doing what he has always wanted to do. His 19 year old brother is thinking of doing the same. I have always thought national service was a good thing, it did instill discipline for the majority. I walked with a girl who was from Israel, all young people had to do their form of national service. As she lived in the UK she had to appeal to the embassy to over rule the service, however her sister liked it so much she is now serving for them. There has been a few TV programmes in the UK which followed a group a lads that had been in trouble and put them through the 60's national service. The TV experiment worked well and helped re-form them.

It can be a very good option for some young people as it can instill discipline and respect, also allowing them to further their education or skills. Military service is voluntary in the U.S. since the late seventies, though males must still register at eighteen.

Over here, all military wear their uniforms (even if it's just the casuals) wherever they go. And you wouldn't believe how many "civilians" or especially vets that will go up and shake their hands and say "thanks". It's nice that no matter what is going on in the world or how one feels about foreign policies, our military men and women aren't being "punished". I know I remember learning in history class of all the men who came back after Vietnam and weren't even so much as greeted formally let alone anything else. They came home to such hostility and ridicule - and most of them were drafted into the war, they weren't even asked. I'm glad the American public has learned its lesson on how to treat a soldier. Especially since they do meet with so much hostility in other places.

It is nice that regardless of Political persuasion people do seem to be treating soldiers with respect and gratitude. As you say Gnat, during Vietnam that was not the case. The reaction not only "punished" and damaged some of the returning soldiers, it hurt their families also. My Mom avoided taking us certain places - like Laguna Beach - for fear that there would be pro-*test*-('")s happening. It is enough that the families can not see their loved ones for long periods of time and know they are in harm's way why add abuse and other negative emotions to the list. It is good we have learned something from our history.

I agree Gaff. There were even families of fallen soldiers who got absolutely no sympathy either. I'm happy it's different now.

I'm not sure that is is completely different, Gnat - over here at least. The war in Iraq is not a poular cause, to say the least. In an article about the RAF not wearing their uniforms in Peterborough, one soldier was shopping in a supermarket and was approached by a woman who said...... "You should get out of Iraq!" The soldier said. "I'm in Tescos, not Iraq!" People are frustrated at the government and take it out on the squaddies, because they are the ones they meet. Unfair, but inevitable, like a lot of jobs, I suppose. It's us :nurse who get in the neck from the public about waiting lists and cutbacks. :roll:

The U.S is so large it is difficult to give a nation wide flavor and have it be accurate. From what I have seen, there are a lot of very verbal people against the situation in Iraq, but many of those have made a concerted effort to say they support the troops even if they don't support the War. I think that has helped compared to Vietnam. Sadly, there will always be peole who feel they have a right to personally attack individuals who don't believe the way they do, especially in the service sector. I hope Scott and Waresl's cousin don't encounter any of those people.

My experience in Italy has been that there are a lot of very verbal people against the situation in Iraq, but though they don't support the war, many of those still support the troops. I have a friend who is in the armed forces and had two tours of duty in Iraq and many expressed their support to him and his colleagues, even if they were against the war.

That's pretty much what I meant by it all. Stevie - I'm sad for the military in your country, that your fellow countrymen can't at least show support to the troops who are just doing a job. People often forget that even though these men and women volunteer to join the military (and yes that may mean active duty in certain hostile situations) - they dont' choose where their leaders send them to fight. They don't pick the wars, they just fight them.

Thats my thinking as well. They are doing their job, just like we do. If we like it or not that is what we have chosen to do and do it. If your against it then go for the politicitans who think they know best for people.

Agreed waresl!

With you there, ladies.