I'm already seeing some interesting things people. Thanks and keep it coming, interesting peaces of information.
I agree that conscript armies are often performing very well and that is exactly my point, especially if you follow the v1.0 timeline (even if you follow the v2.2). IMO, most soldiers in Europe (outside the few professional armies: Canada, UK, US) will have civilian background with a time of military instruction taking place at some point in their personnal history. Several will have gone back to their civilian life before being drafted for the war while the most dedicated ones will be skilled professionnals who are following civilian carreers sometime and at the same time.
Back in the mid-80's my computer teacher was a staff sergeant in one of the french parachutist regiment. When he was not teaching us, he had been stationned in Chad and in Beyrouth.
Tigger, if I understand you well, the British army during the cold war was already a professional one?
Marc, from what I read from you, it seems that Spain followed exactly the same path than France.