I'm afraid the benefits/value of NS as you proclaim are not
rock-solid enough to win me over. The view you have now is only
partial, a bit premature imo. Have you started working and started
a business to fully access the impact/benefits/value of NS?
Let's talk what you've said.
You enjoyed NS thoroughly but a big part is out of your hands at
the mercy of retarded commanders. What I think you saw in NS is
immature older boys (a few 1-2 years older than the NSman)
essentially abuse their authority and bully than nurture the lower
ranks. Their influence is hardly positive. The ones who make a
positive influence on the NSmen are often seasoned commanders who
don't motivate by fear but by your own effort toward excellence.
That calibre of commanders are very few. One threatens/treats you
no differently than slaves (to squueze out a result) whereas the
other grooms you to overcome your fears to be your best.
I would agree with you that with 2 years ahead of your college
peers, you are generally more mature than them. But I may not agree
fully that what you had gained in NS is fully useful in college
education.
Whether you'll be attractive to employers, that's for you to
discover in future.
Everyone has or ought to have dreams and ambitions. At the prime of
one's youth and learning, it is not a good idea to go through a
major stumbling block. If Melvyn had gone thru it, would he have
become what he is today - enriched and better equipped to pursue
his dreams? That he avoided the stumbling block and ventured
forward made him what he is today realising his dreams. If Ang Peng
Siong followed Melvyn's path, he probably would have achieved
bigger and become a huge celebrity or national sport icon today but
because of NS, what has he really become today?
I feel we need a NS rethink if not remaking.
