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Tbh I don't think I've met any German under I guess 50ish? would did military service over the civilian service.
I was impressed with how fucking livid my dad was with the whole military service thing. I was a bit to tired to get into it and unpack his wrath. But thought it was a good reminder that for lots of boomers there are memories of French, Portuguese, American and Australian friends who were killed after being conscripted in aid of pointless wars.
hugo7
stevep
Oliver Schick
There are discussions in Germany to re-introduce conscription in the face of the threat from Putin. I don't know about France.
Conscription was still in force when I left school and I did civilian service (the conscientious objector's option), which was slightly longer than army service (both had already been cut significantly) but much preferable. I was grateful I could do it, as I still didn't know what I wanted to do, and this period was very valuable. Many of those I knew who got out of serving in either way (phony doctors' certificates ...) ended up in careers they hated and later wished they hadn't started studying so early.