"Here Is One Way To Avoid Military Service" Topic

"In 2016, a 22-year old college student reported for a physical exam to determine his eligibility for mandatory military service in the South Korean armed forces. This week, the Incheon District Court ruled that he was not guilty of breaking conscription law, after prosecutors alleged he gorged himself on fried chicken and booze before showing up in order to avoid service.

Munchies directs us to this story from the Korea Herald, which says that at the time of the student's test, he weighed 106 kilograms (approximately 234 lbs.) and was around 170 centimeters tall (5 ft., approximately 5 in.), for a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 36.8. Per the Herald, those with a BMI of 33 and above are eligible for exemption from full-time military service, and can instead take a public service job. If you're a male between the ages of 18-28 in South Korea, you are required to enlist in military service. (Click here for an interesting Quartz piece about whether K-Pop stars—like BTS—should be required to serve.)…."

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Amicalement
Armand

I believe the American military has the same problem with its volunteers.

"…can instead take a public service job."

"Welcome to your exciting new career of sewer pipe cleaning! We're sorry, that was the only position with openings at this time. See you Monday morning!"

I believe the American military has the same problem with its volunteers.

I also think that could be said about much of the US population. Even though many children in the US don't get enough to eat either … I've heard stats as much as 1 in 5.

Being overfed is not the same as receiving proper nutrition.

May I submit for your humble approval, 1967, Arlo Guthie, and "Alice's Restaurant Massacree."

This Korean guy is not very original.

I turned 18 in 1973. I was focused on finishing highschool. My mother was fixated on keeping me out of the army. My thought was to just join the Navy if it came to it, but my mom had gone all out.

She found out the army wouldn't take you if you had braces. Too much bother. She also found out that there were meds that would jack your BP into the stratosphere for about 6 hours. As a last resort she knew my paternal grandfather had been born in Canada. He was only there a few days as my g-gparents were passing thru to the US. She was exploring the possibility of legacy immigration.

Years later I ran into a guy who did the Navy thing to avoid the draft. 2 weeks out of boot they ship him to Hue right before the Tet Offensive. Not exactly what he had in mind.

It never became an issue for me. When they did the drawing my number came up 237. I used to joke the VC would have had to take Kansas City for me to get called up.

May I submit for your humble approval, 1967, Arlo Guthie, and "Alice's Restaurant Massacree."

To be fair, Arlo didn't bulk up, he just "got good and drunk the night before so I looked and felt my best"

Plus which, Arlo Guthrie had a family history of Huntington's disease, which the US Army was one of the first militaries to exclude recurits and draftees for, were they not?

On a side not, since compulsory military service there can *also* include public service . . . Just as in the ci-devant fascist Federation in "Starship Troopers" the novel . . .Does that make South Korea a fascist state? :)

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

And remember Arlo's littering bust prior to his call-up.

Being overfed is not the same as receiving proper nutrition.

And in many cases a number of fast food places sell items that make you feel over feed but have questionable nutrition. Or just the junk food you can get almost anywhere that sells "food" …