Should NS be Reduced or Scrapped?

last SG · 2009-08-28T11:42:33+00:00

time to change government.. ya, change ministers, PAP remain

Amsyl SG

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

angel7030 SG

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.

redDUST SG

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.

angel7030 SG

another bite on the dust...go toilet first...

2cansam SG

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.

Owen no7 SG

"Dun you guys feel proud to serve the country"

Why don't you volunteer your service instead?

Midlusionz SG

For wat reduce and scrap?

dukedracula SG

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....

Agenda SG

Two years is fine, shortening would be a bonus.

But please pay us more and stop giving our jobs to foreign thrash. Especially caucasians.

maxsee SG

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.....

Agenda SG

Yea, going to school everyday. 9 out of 10 males I see are awfully out of shape or under shape.

angel7030 SG

ya, most have no shape, today young sg boys are overly pampered

automator SG

hey angel7030.

You have a clone angel3070 here

http://www.sgforums.com/forums/2884/topics/373468

Maybe she is your whore collegue in geylang

automator SG

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

angel7030 SG

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

vito_corleone SG

most of us have done it and we're alive and fine, don't be a pusssy just serve and fcuk off

Deino SG

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..

noahnoah SG

no dun scrap pls!!!!

citymax SG

honestly dun wish it to scrap or reduce.

domonkassyu SG

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??

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..