SDP’s policy paper on 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://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=735
This is the reason why SDP will never be the ruling party
of Singapore.
Democracy is when the people choses the smartest group of people
to lead them and govern their country to prosperity.
If the politicians in the opposition party like SDP thinks at
the same level as the people, then it is certainly proven that the
politicians in the SDP are not SMARTER than the people. These
politicians are only voicing out the transgression faced by a small
group of the people, and that makes these politicians the
People's Nannies.
It's the same as in a family, the children (people) will always
be closer to the mother (nannies politicians) than the father
(ruling party politicians). Why? Cos the mother always spoon-fed to
satisfy the children and buy toys, tidbits, goodies, with whatever
the children asked for. The father will do whatever it takes to
ensure the survival of the family including the mother and the
children....WITHOUT seeking their opinions/approvals.
You think fathers before our generations are the head of the
family without a reason? Just having a big sack of balls plus
sasuage doesn't makes you the head, you need to be smart to lead
you know? But I guess this tradition will soon be overturned
judging at the uselessness of SG Guys nowadays. Lucky for me, I'm
smarter than them.
Government must be formed by the smartest group of people in the
country, if the government begins to think like the people...then
the country will be thrown into chaos and get overrun by idiots and
retards who holds the majority vote of power to shift the direction
of prosperity to poverty.
Maybe that's why I don't think like those rebels, cos I'm not a
descendant of Yelu Qi, I'm the descendant of Yang Guo and Xiao
Longnv. 
