I did my military time in South Africa, no draw, if you were a fit male then you were a conscript. Two years full time and then one to three months a year, until I left the country. Been in some pretty bad action against Russians, Cubans and folks from Angola. Had some good times also, the discipline shapes one’s character. I lost a few very good friends which left bit of a mark.
We had two options, go straight after school, no rank, have to work yourself up the lower ranks. Option two was finish college, get your degree and go in as an officer.
I went in after high school, had no rank, but after my two years graduated from college and later in life on the shorter assignments became an officer.
That was a long time ago and the place is a very different country today. What we tried to prevent has fully taken place. The Government is friendly to Russia as well as just about anyone who is an adversary to the USA. Corruption is rife and the country ranks close to the top of the list, when it comes to homicides per capita. Unemployment is close to 50% and if an illegal immigrant takes what could be someone else’s job, there is a pretty good chance of a fatal execution.