There is really No big change , it was
originally 2 years. Later Government extended NS by another 6
months - without a national consensus.
Most Singaporeans were terribly upset and dead AGAINST
it.
If NS cut to 12 months - that will be seriously considered as
government's genuine concern for the financial hardship and
inconvenience sufffered by many Singaporeans because of lengthy
NS.
Take a look at these countries which have NS like us -
Countries with mandatory military service
Austria
In Austria, compulsory military service applies to all male
citizens from 18 to 36 years of age (with some exceptions), in
which the basic military service must be done. The duration of the
basic military service is eight months. This can
either be done in one go, or as a service of six months with
regular weapon exercises of several days as member of the Miliz
until the duration of eight months is reached.
Military alternative service or civil service is possible in place
of the compulsory military service. Its duration is 12 months and
can be performed at different organizations.
China (PRC)
The People's Republic of China has conscription for both men and
women. Women who are conscripted go to the army for two
months and learn to fire guns. .
Finland
As of 2004, Finland has mandatory military service of at least
six months, depending on the assigned position:
those trained as officers serve for twelve months, specialty troops
serve for nine months, and other rank and file serve for six
months. Women can serve, if they choose. Civilian service of 13
months is available in lieu of military service. Men who opt for
neither are sent to open prison where they may work and study for a
period of six months.
Germany
Germany has a mandatory military service of nine
months for men. Women may volunteer and are allowed to
perform the same jobs as men. A conscientious objector may write a
petition requesting permission to do a civilian "substitute
service", which is usually accepted, whereupon he is expected to
serve 10 months. Overall, however, during the past few years, the
number of men being drafted has declined significantly.
German law provides several options for conscientious objectors to
perform alternative public service instead of a weapons-based
military service:
Greece
As of 2002, Greece (Hellenic Republic) has a mandatory military
service of 18 months. However, it is
developing a professional army system, and it is widely expected
that the mandatory military service will be abolished
soon, with some ranks serving for 14 or 16 months in
recent times. Greek soldiers fire a gun during the first two months
of their service.
Israel
Israel has mandatory military service for both men and women who
hold Israeli citizenship. It is the only country which currently
practices female conscription.
Lebanon
Lebanon has a mandatory military service of one
year for men.
Malaysia
As of 2004, Malaysia has a mandatory national service of
three months for a selected group of both men and
women. 20% of 18-year-olds are selected through a lottery system to
join this program. Trainees will not be trained using firearms. The
first training date is Feb 16, 2004.
Norway
Norway has mandatory military service for men (women can volunteer)
of 6, 9 or 12 months. Pacifists can apply for
alternative service.
Russia
As of 2002, Russia (Russian Federation) has a mandatory two-year
draft but most Russians avoid it. Only 11 percent of Russian men
enter mandatory military service.
Singapore
Singapore has one of the longest mandatory military
service for males, at two and a half years. As of
Jan 2005, it will be reduce by 6 months.
South Korea
As of 2002, South Korea has a mandatory military service of
26 months.
Sweden
Less than a third of the Scandinavian country's
eligible 19-year-olds are actually drafted each year.
Switzerland
Switzerland has the largest militia army in the world (200 000
including reserves). Military service for Swiss men is obligatory
according to the Federal Constitution, and includes 17
weeks of basic training as well as annual 3-week-refresher
courses until a number of service days which increases with rank
(300 days for privates) is reached. Service for women is voluntary,
but identical in all respects. Conscientous objectors can choose
450 days of community service instead of military service. Medical
deferments and dismissals from basic training (often on somewhat
dubious grounds) have increased significantly in the last years.
Therefore, only about 33% of Swiss men actually complete basic
training.
Taiwan (ROC)
As 0f 2004, The Republic of China has implemented mandatory
military service for all males since 1949. Females in the outlying
islands of Fujian must also serve. Beginning January 2004, the
mandatory service has been shortened by two months.
Canada
In Canada conscription has never taken place in
peace-time. Conscription became an extremely controversial
issue during both WWI and WWII, especially in the province of
Quebec.
France
France was one of the first nations to employ conscription. During
the wars following the French Revolution the army needed men to
stop invasions Austrian and British invasions. France
abolished peacetime military conscription in 2001.
Slovenia
Slovenia's Prime Minister Anton Rop abolished mandatory
military service on September 9, 2003.
United
Kingdom
The United Kingdom had conscription during the First World War and
the Second World War. After the Second World War, it introduced
National Service, which was abolished in
1960.
United States of
America
The United States has instituted mandatory military service at
various times, usually during wars such as the American Civil War,
World War II and Vietnam War. Registration for selective service
(for possible future drafts) is required of all males at their 18th
birthday. Registrants remain in the pool until January 1 of the
year they turn 25.
When the United States began mobilizing in 1940, in response to the
threat from Nazi Germany, the first peacetime draft in its history
was introduced. Use of the draft persisted through the early years
of the Cold War.
However, in the aftermath of Vietnam, it was recognized that
retention of conscription would be completely impracticable.
The military currently does not believe that a draft is
needed. They feel that the current personnel levels of the military
services is sufficient. Some members of the military feel
that an all volunteer military provides military services with
people that are in the military because it is truly what they want
to do, and makes the military better. In recent
times many more positions in the military require highly skilled
and trained individuals, which some in the military have felt could
only be obtained through volunteer means. There have been rumours
of a targeted draft to obtain the people that have specific skills
for military service.
We can learn from USA , we must also admit a strong regular
army is sufficient to deter and fight terrorists during peace time.
Afterall, in war time, our island has been considered by many top
military experts as being too small to afford a strong defensive
position if we are attacked.
So why NS for Singapore - a country not threatened, in conflict or
fighting a war with its neighbour?
Have a regular army of 50,000. It will cost much more.
Obviously Government prefers NS because it's very cheap
labour.
