|
Post by jabberwocky on Jul 16, 2016 7:55:02 GMT -5
I thought it was a requirement after high school, at least for some? We have discussed this a bit before - but can't figure out what the requirement ( suggestion) is. We have several young family members aged 18 -25 - none have ever mentioned military service or being required to do it, these are not ricos that have money or influence to get out of it.
My stepdaughters - never heard them talk about a required service - maybe it was only a requirement for guys.
I was on an offshore fishing charter Friday with my son, we sat next to a family from NYC - the father was retired Navy aviator, the son with him was going off to basic for the marines in 3 weeks, his other was in basic for the Coast Guard, my son heads to basic for the Navy in 2 weeks ( Nuke school) there was about 30 people on the boat - all were congratulating them on their choices , there is a perception that it is a good career move, offers a lot of training opportunities and the GI bill ( and VA benefits for buying a house). From what I have heard or not heard - Colombian military service does not offer any perks - at least none that I have heard of , does not seem any young people give it much though - of course the Colombian military is much smaller and less sophisticated than the US ( Colombian submarine?)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2016 8:57:34 GMT -5
Yes, military service in Colombia is obligatory for males 18 and older, but I believe that is about to change soon. 18 year olds must register, and if called up they have the option of going into the military, one of the police services or an approved community service program. There is another option, and that is to buy your way out, and obtain a liberty card. The price for obtaining one of these cards is a function of the estrato in which the recruit resides. I have a nephew who paid 1.5 million for a liberty card 3 years ago. For those who choose the Colombian military, it is usually quite lucrative. I've met several officers and senior enlisted (active and retired) who lead a comfortable lifestyle.
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Jul 16, 2016 12:31:32 GMT -5
Yes, military service in Colombia is obligatory for males 18 and older, but I believe that is about to change soon. 18 year olds must register, and if called up they have the option of going into the military, one of the police services or an approved community service program. There is another option, and that is to buy your way out, and obtain a liberty card. The price for obtaining one of these cards is a function of the estrato in which the recruit resides. I have a nephew who paid 1.5 million for a liberty card 3 years ago. For those who choose the Colombian military, it is usually quite lucrative. I've met several officers and senior enlisted (active and retired) who lead a comfortable lifestyle. That's pretty much the way I understand it. That's why you see all these young policemen. As far as benefits in the military, I think it is much more austere compared to the States. I know the U.S. military served me well during the 24 years of active duty I was in it. I would've stayed in longer, but they said I had hit my high year of tenure, which is the longest you can stay at your current grade. And right after I got out, they extended it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2016 12:40:27 GMT -5
Yes, military service in Colombia is obligatory for males 18 and older, but I believe that is about to change soon. 18 year olds must register, and if called up they have the option of going into the military, one of the police services or an approved community service program. There is another option, and that is to buy your way out, and obtain a liberty card. The price for obtaining one of these cards is a function of the estrato in which the recruit resides. I have a nephew who paid 1.5 million for a liberty card 3 years ago. For those who choose the Colombian military, it is usually quite lucrative. I've met several officers and senior enlisted (active and retired) who lead a comfortable lifestyle. That's pretty much the way I understand it. That's why you see all these young policemen. As far as benefits in the military, I think it is much more austere compared to the States. I know the U.S. military served me well during the 24 years of active duty I was in it. I would've stayed in longer, but they said I had hit my high year of tenure, which is the longest you can stay at your current grade. And right after I got out, they extended it. Yes, relatively speaking, nothing compares to US military retirement. In my neighborhood, there is a handful of retired career military who are investing in the construction of new townhomes for rental. So, I'm assuming the retirement package in the Colombian military is not too shabby... or maybe it was the various unofficial "perks" that they enjoyed on active duty.
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Jul 19, 2016 12:41:16 GMT -5
My wife's cousin in Sincilejo is married to a retired Colonel from the military who retired after 24 years service. They now own a 7/11 type service station Tienda, several apartments and lives very comfortably there. By Colombian standards he made very good money as a military officer and invested in his retirement. From a security (monetary) the professional military is a good investment providing you live until you retire.
|
|
|
Post by búfalo on Jul 21, 2016 9:34:26 GMT -5
LOTS of unnoficial perks while in, epsecially where and what department. Aside from that they get a sum of 60 millions (?) toward the purchase of a house after a certain amount of years of sevice.
Most of the lower ones sell the house after the obligatory year (?) of owning it, blow the money and then are asking relatives for handouts.
Moving up and getting a good position there - hgood luck with that unless your Uncle is a General or you family is rich.
Odd about the house though, it is for civies as well. My brother in law is a baker and 2 sis in law's are hairdressers and they all got the house too.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Jul 21, 2016 9:56:10 GMT -5
It's only obligatory if the guy doesn't go to Uni.
I'm speaking from experience, a family member left school and wouldn't join up a few months back, (I wrote on here at the time about it) He has now been accepted into uni and doesn't need to sign up.
Lots of people including army hierarchy, told me he wouldn't be accepted into uni without some sort of paper saying he was excused service - that turned out to be nonsense, hordes of them just walked into the university and avoided the call up.
Seriously nobody is paying a penny to avoid the call up, they just go to uni.
|
|
|
Post by búfalo on Jul 21, 2016 10:25:34 GMT -5
I'm not so sure, could've changed but I kmow people who were picked up for service and then if they paid a fee were let go again. Even several times.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Jul 21, 2016 10:44:52 GMT -5
No i'm telling you quite categorically, he is in a class with at least 14 other 18 year old men, no idea if the women are eligible or not, never paid a penny nor did the rest of the class or anyone he has spoken to. He was interviewed when he left school and told when he was 18 he would be called up.
The old way of obtaining a certificate from some guy who received money to produce a piece of paper is supposedly gone, it wasn't legal anyway, they were just splitting money and then the process continued as normal - cert or no cert.
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Jul 21, 2016 15:23:09 GMT -5
To my knowledge there has not been a single member of my wife's immediate family that ever served in the military, they are all educated but I know for a fact that they BOUGHT their way out of military service. I'm not aware of "certs", all I know is they never served a day. In fact at times I feel they look down on me for serving my 8 years (4 active) as a photographer in Korea. just beneath them.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2016 17:33:14 GMT -5
The upper Estrata / rich kids either stay / stayed in university--bought their way out--or left the country for the States etc--to avoid service
Rather let the lower Estrata / Campesino's go---
My 3 Colombia brother in laws never served--they are the typical Colombian living room Uribe Gun --Ho types----safely in their living rooms---
I call them armchair pacifists--(because that is what they really are)
The historic rigid Colombia / Latin class structure is alive and well---- (in the U.S. Latino's say Anglo racism )--- a little hypocrisy one might suggest--conveniently forgetting their own native country distinct class pecking order--
|
|