NATIONAL SERVICE
Introduction
National Service, or army conscription in Singapore, was first
introduced in 1967 due to pressing issues such as national security
after Singapore's "forced" independence in 1965. In 1971, the British
completely pulled out of Singapore. It has been 41 years since the
introduction of NS.
Since then the world and Asia has changed significantly in terms of
security and economic arrangements. But has Singapore's conscription
policy kept up with these changes to reflect and cope with the new
geopolitical landscape?
First let us review the service that all able-bodied 18-year-old male
Singaporeans have to undergo. Basic Military Training, or BMT, is the
"boot camp" for all new recruits. This lasts for three months whereupon
the soldier then gets posted out to other units for further specialised
training.
The conscripts then serve the remainder of their two-year stint
polishing up their combat skills. Following the two years of full-time
service, NSmen are required (for up to 40 days a year) to serve in a
part-tme capacity until they are 50 years old for commissioned officers
and 40 for others.
Reduce the two-year full-time service
In an age where warfare has turned to "smart" technology, is it still
logical and necessary for Singapore to insist that its National
Servicemen undergo 24 months months of active, full-time service? Such
a policy is rare among countries that maintain a conscription policy.
Below is a list of countries with periods of full-time conscript
service:
1.Austria (6 months)
2.Bolivia (12 months)
3.Brazil (9-12 months)
4.Denmark (4-12 months)
5.Estonia (8-11 months)
6.Finland (6-12 months)
7.Germany (9 months)
8.Greece (12 months)
9.Guatemala (12-24 months)
10.Moldavia (12 months)
11.Mongolia (12 months)
12.Paraguay (12-24 months)
13.Poland (9-12 months)
14.Serbia (6 months)
15.Switzerland (18-21 weeks)
16.Taiwan (12 months)
17.Tunisia (12 months)
18.Turkey (12 months)
19.Ukraine (12 months_
20.Uzbekistan (12 months)
From the above data, it can be seen that for all intents and purposes a
conscript army training programme need not be as long as the one we
have in Singapore. The more advance countries like Austria, Denmark,
Germany, Greece, and Switzerland all have full-time services limited to
one year and less.
Even Taiwan, which has an identifiable enemy in the form of China,
limits its active service to 12 months. Only countries like South Korea
and Israel have conscription periods that are longer than Singapore's.
These countries are, however, in a state of war.
Given the situation in Singapore there is no reason why we cannot
employ more efficient training methods and reduce full-time NS from the
present two-years to twelve months or less.
Reservist training
The current period of reserve training for NS men of up to 40 years old
is also a burden on the servicemen and, by extension, the economy. Not
only does the serviceman have to contend with the influx of foreigners,
they are disadvantaged in terms of employment, remuneration and
promotion when employers compare local men who have to be away for
weeks in anyone year with foreign workers who have no such obligation.
The span of a serviceman's reservist training should not go beyond 30
years of age. Men tend to settle down and start families around this
age and job stability and carreer prospects are essential during this
period. Unfair competition from foreign nationals would handicap local
males and add to their already stressful lifestyles.
In addition, the human body goes into a physical decline after the age
of 30. To keep our military personnel in top condition, it makes little
sense in keeping men over the age of 30 in the frontline if military
conflict does indeed breakout.
Increase volunteer, professional army
To compensate for the decrease in the number of active and reservist
NSmen, the Singapore Armed Forces should expand volunteer army
recruitment to complement the reduction in the number of conscripts.
In fact, the number of countries that have scrapped conscription are on
the rise: Argentina (1994), Belgium (1994), Czech Republic (2004),
France (1996), Hungary (2004), Italy (2004), Netherlands (1996), New
Zealand (1972), Portugal (2004), and Spain (2001).
While Singapore may not be ready to follow suit, it would be prudent
for us to reduce NSmen in favour of a professional military outfit
At the moment, NSmen are exploited for their services to glorify the
PAP during National Day parades. The energy and time of these men can
be put to more productive use than as entertainment for the PAP regime.
Conscientious objectors
What about people who do not believe that it is right for them to do
military service due to moral, religious or ethical grounds? At the
moment such conscientious objectors are charged and imprisoned for the
length of their service.
In some of the countries that have compulsory military service, there
is also a provision for conscientious objectors to serve in non-combat
roles. There is an argument that this would open the flood gates for
men to opt for non-combat positions. Such a loophole can be plugged by
increasing the length of active service by, say, six months. The
experiences of other countries like Germany and Sweden have not been
negative in this aspect where males try to avoid combat service by
claiming to be conscientious objectors.
Tranparency and openness
Obligation in Singapore seems to be a one-way street. While the
Government holds the people accountable for their NS liabilities, the
Ministry of Defence remains non-transparent and non-accountable in
their dealings with the public.
The recent deaths of National Servicemen have opened a can of worms on
training safety. In addition, the number of training fatalities and
injuries are not made known to the public as a matter-of-course. The
Government which compels the people to give their lives for the country
are obliged to be absolutely transparent with information pertaining to
safety issues. Compensation for deaths and injuries must also be
reviewed and revised upwards.
The Government must also not exploit NSmen as cheap labour during major
events such as the WB-IMF meeting or, possibly, the upcoming Youth
Olympics. In must be remembered that the Enlistment Act was enacted for
a specific purpose and any detraction from that purpose must be shunned.
Conclusion
When citizens are forced to serve in the military with the possibility
of being killed if called to war, it is imperative that the government
is a democratic one where citizens can hold the government accountable
for its decisions and actions. Otherwise we may end up in a situation
where wars are waged for the ruling elite rather than for the security
and sovereignty of the nation.
http://forum.yoursdp.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3
Huh? u siao or not??? today intake of army per year is only 20,000 comparing to last time 60,000 and you still want to serve less ar??
Already, we are facing low birthrate and less young men, even i want to find a good bf also very hard. I suggest that to cover up the reduce of manpower, all dudes should serve 3 years instead of 2 or 2 and 1/2 years.
Dun you guys feel proud to serve the country, why do we need to compare to other countries when all demographic and geopolitical situation are completely different. Even the historical scenarios play an important role of what each country NS should be, the population is also a key determination of the length of services.
And what is wrong with NSmen reservists, most are being paid with what they earn as a civilian, it is a time for them to get together, networking, and as singaporeans, chat about their life and you guys can have your man world. In fact, it also helps our guys to tone up their body, go back to nature and when they go back to work, they feel refreshing, I know a few reservist guys who always come to my pubs for drinking and thereafter some gals, they like reservist, because it is a time they can leave their wifeys and back to be boys. When reservist come to my pub, I salute them, they protect our country, allow me to operate at a peaceful condition, and for them, it is like a free time to enjoy..no worries about wifey call, no worries abt delivery time, no worry abt target date, no worry about KPI and all those office and working stress...and also I believe the reservist had helped our young men to be strong and discipline,..you look at malaysian young men,...all weak weak and mostly got tattoo here and there, and all look like gangster ah beng. Because at the age to 18 yo, most youngster like me, as a gal, tends to be sway easily by gangsterism, discos, drugs, sex, and all other restless vices.
If a sg man is not successful in his life, dun blame the NS lost of time, that will be very lame.
15520 & counting, and mostly verbal diarrhea.
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease.
yours is from your upper orifice but it is no diffirent. and you average no less than 10x a day. so, you got a bloody chronic problem.
another bite on the dust...go toilet first...
if u make ns a voluntary exercise, then i think only a handful will sign up, and now it seems so easy to fly an F-16.
"Dun you guys feel proud to serve the country"
Why don't you volunteer your service instead?
For wat reduce and scrap?
i hated ns, and felt the years served as non prodcutive.....but it is necessary....sg is small, comparing to taiwan is incorrect, they've got uncle sam....i see you left out isreal where even panty wearers have to serve....it's only 2 years, just serve it....you can see all the dingdongs we've had with the neighbouring countries, especially malaysia....
in spite of the whatever 3g army...having numbers is also important....just take it as a rite of passage into manhood....
Two years is fine, shortening would be a bonus.
But please pay us more and stop giving our jobs to foreign thrash. Especially caucasians.
I totally agree on the reduction of reservist to 30 yrs of age.....40 yrs old just way too long....as for reduction of NS time.....NO WAY...they should consider increasing NS to 3 years......nowadays kids are like wimps...and whines over everthing.....NS will help toughens them up a bit......Just reduce our reservist.....
Originally posted by maxsee:I totally agree on the reduction of reservist to 30 yrs of age.....40 yrs old just way too long....as for reduction of NS time.....NO WAY...they should consider increasing NS to 3 years......nowadays kids are like wimps...and whines over everthing.....NS will help toughens them up a bit......Just reduce our reservist.....
Yea, going to school everyday. 9 out of 10 males I see are awfully out of shape or under shape.
ya, most have no shape, today young sg boys are overly pampered
hey angel7030.
You have a clone angel3070 here
http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2884/topics/373468
Maybe she is your whore collegue in geylang
Originally posted by Agenda:Two years is fine, shortening would be a bonus.
But please pay us more and stop giving our jobs to foreign thrash. Especially caucasians.
cut some of the ministers salary and use it to increase the pay
Originally posted by automator:hey angel7030.
You have a clone angel3070 here
http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2884/topics/373468
Maybe she is your whore collegue in geylang
dun care so much lah...can be clone mean that i am very famous liao...why worry, should be happy. Top movie stars got alot of impersonate one ya. Pple impersonated MJ, Jackie, Andy, Prad, Tom, Angelina, kate etc etc
most of us have done it and we're alive and fine, don't be a pusssy just serve and fcuk off
3 years? i object to that...
2 years is alr long enough...there are people out there like me who wants to continue their studies...
if they wanna make it three years, they should make it selection based based on a person's background...like those problematic kids...they're better off be put to good use rather than spend time outside doing the wrong things..
no dun scrap pls!!!!
honestly dun wish it to scrap or reduce.
Originally posted by angel7030:Huh? u siao or not??? today intake of army per year is only 20,000 comparing to last time 60,000 and you still want to serve less ar??
Already, we are facing low birthrate and less young men, even i want to find a good bf also very hard. I suggest that to cover up the reduce of manpower, all dudes should serve 3 years instead of 2 or 2 and 1/2 years.
Dun you guys feel proud to serve the country, why do we need to compare to other countries when all demographic and geopolitical situation are completely different. Even the historical scenarios play an important role of what each country NS should be, the population is also a key determination of the length of services.
And what is wrong with NSmen reservists, most are being paid with what they earn as a civilian, it is a time for them to get together, networking, and as singaporeans, chat about their life and you guys can have your man world. In fact, it also helps our guys to tone up their body, go back to nature and when they go back to work, they feel refreshing, I know a few reservist guys who always come to my pubs for drinking and thereafter some gals, they like reservist, because it is a time they can leave their wifeys and back to be boys. When reservist come to my pub, I salute them, they protect our country, allow me to operate at a peaceful condition, and for them, it is like a free time to enjoy..no worries about wifey call, no worries abt delivery time, no worry abt target date, no worry about KPI and all those office and working stress...and also I believe the reservist had helped our young men to be strong and discipline,..you look at malaysian young men,...all weak weak and mostly got tattoo here and there, and all look like gangster ah beng. Because at the age to 18 yo, most youngster like me, as a gal, tends to be sway easily by gangsterism, discos, drugs, sex, and all other restless vices.
If a sg man is not successful in his life, dun blame the NS lost of time, that will be very lame.
roflmao..you have to understand wat is ns in the first place..whats there to be proud about when we are exploited by the govt to "protect the motherland" while given meager allowance..note its allowance and not even salary..its like through their loving kindness that they allow us some money while "protecting the motherland" its should had been free service kind shit..
they want soldiers..they have to pay..serves them right for making things expensive all in the name of lessening the burden of the poor..
i have to agree the whole PEST situation is different as is the backgnd and such..but..not willing to raise the welfare of the soldiers = lowering their morale..low morale cant win shit..most will just run or turn traitor if war ever comes..
and its not the so call soldiers with no real war exp that protects the country..its the damn spf that allows u to sleep peacefully at night..
scrap it? no way.
i don't want singapore to be invaded by malaysians by war with no proper defense.
reduce it.yes
compare to others countries 2 years and + the reservist period is way too long.
Look at our society today, expecially the youth.
they are screwed up in the head with their thinking and army is one of the way to change those thinking(although some might become even worst).
Reduce it, but not scrap it! 2 years + reservist term is way too long. and its disturbing
for the sake of our country future.
Originally posted by maxsee:I totally agree on the reduction of reservist to 30 yrs of age.....40 yrs old just way too long....as for reduction of NS time.....NO WAY...they should consider increasing NS to 3 years......nowadays kids are like wimps...and whines over everthing.....NS will help toughens them up a bit......Just reduce our reservist.....
i agree on reducing the redundant reservist..but wimps got into ns..gt promoted to wimpy higher lv units..so they got the next batch of wimps to train..and the vicious cycle continues..so end up still wimps..fight wat war??tink run 2.4 oso got prob liao..
Originally posted by angel7030:ya, most have no shape, today young sg boys are overly pampered
round is a shape..
yep can extend until 60-70 yrs also can
but make sure do it offically after i ROD next week
ya
Originally posted by Shao Wei:scrap it? no way.
i don't want singapore to be invaded by malaysians by war with no proper defense.
reduce it.yes
compare to others countries 2 years and + the reservist period is way too long.
Look at our society today, expecially the youth.
they are screwed up in the head with their thinking and army is one of the way to change those thinking(although some might become even worst).
Reduce it, but not scrap it! 2 years + reservist term is way too long. and its disturbing
for the sake of our country future.
lol..y always the malaysia-indons will invade poor little sg??army changes mindset yes..into weirder creatures usually..see the commandos..how many of them are really normal??the divers..how many guys come out from ns dont know how to taichi problems to other people??how many dont know how to keng MCs?