Russia: March 14, 2003

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Starting July 1st, the armed forces will no longer conscript those with sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS), are drug addicts or homosexuals. This probably does not mean that any 18 year old could avoid military service by showing up with a case of Gonorrhoea. This can be cured with an antibiotic. But any permanent disease, like AIDS or herpes, would keep you out. Trying to pass as homosexual or drug addict, if you aren't, will be another problem. Currently, fewer than half those 18 year olds called for military service show up. The rest either bribe their way out or just don't appear. The military still wants to do away with conscription and just use volunteers, but it may be a decade or more before there is money available for that. 

 

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