I, too, took the oath of service. Though mine was less glamorous. I was a Korean Linguist. The job, and my own personal research into North Korea and its cult of personality surrounding both Great Leader and Dear Leader (apparently, now referred to as Eternal Leader and Great Leader, respectively). The way the North Korean people were done in, and continue to be controlled, by the manipulation media, lack of education, replacing science with mandate, every home must have a portrait of their leader, all art must be inspired by their leader, etc... was eye-opening. The same thing occurred with the Nazis, and the Communists in Russia before them.
Quite frankly it scares the hell out of me, because I see those exact things going on here. Not full tilt. Do I expect an outright order for round-ups? No. Not at first. But neither did the Jews. At first, they were just discriminated against and ridiculed. Then it got worse. As the party in charge managed to increase the rhetoric, the hyperbole, and laid more and more blame on the Jews, the citizenry followed suit.
Those who disagreed with the regime either went along to get along, got out, or were discriminated against (or worse) by their own fellow citizens. Few dared to fight back. Those who did, were dealt with.
Eventually, enough power was held that the opposition was obliterated.
The difference is the Jews were a minuscule minority. What, single digit %?
They had been hated and hounded and blamed for societies ills all over the world for centuries.
They were stuck in a post-Imperial nation who had lost a crushing war.
There is no comparison to us now or even if it gets to depression level.
Excellent comments.