No Army, No Government

From Moscow Times:
"Bill Could Block Army Dodgers From Serving in Government"

Under a bill proposed by a State Duma deputy, those who dodge government service could be blocked from taking government positions. A United Russia deputy wants to introduce a bill to the State Duma that would prevent anyone who has not undergone military service from taking legislative or executive positions in the government. "In a word, it will close the road to public service at the municipal, regional and federal levels of government," the bill's initiator, Defense Committee deputy chairman Franz Klintsevich told Izvestia. The bill is partially aimed at the children of prominent officials, many of whom become officials themselves without undergoing service, Defense Committee member Andrei Krasov said. "Military service, of course, brings about a sense of patriotism in young people. Why should we produce, for example, governors who can only talk about this concept with words? This is a principle of social justice," Krasov said. In Russia, all men are required to undergo military service for one year or serve in an administrative position for three years. Those who cannot serve for medical reasons or who study in a university past the age of 28 are excluded from serving, though many simply ignore their military obligations or avoid service by living abroad. The bill is currently planned to be introduced in the fall session, the committee told Izvestia.

^ I don't know if this is a good thing or not. I know all Russian men are supposed to serve in the military and so this law (if passed) would force more people to actually serve, but it does nothing to fix the problems that occur while serving in the Russian Military (ie low pay, poor housing and food and hazing - called дедовщи́на. )  If those issues were addressed, especially the last one, then maybe more men would serve rather than finding ways to be exempted. I have said it before, I know only one Russian that served in the military as a conscript. All the rest found exemptions or loopholes and got out of it. Russia should switch to an all-volunteer military and end conscription. I do think that those that want to be Prime Minister or President of Russia (or any world leader with a military such as the US President and Vice President) should have military service since they are the Commander-in-Chief. It doesn't seem right for a President to send troops to fight and die for their country when they have no military backyground. ^

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/bill-could-block-army-dodgers-from-serving-in-government/461007.html