This conversation can go on forever, because there will always
be two groups of people who voice out, first group are those who
think that NS is a waste of time and that there is no need to
defend singapore. The second group believes that singapore should
be defended and national service is exactly what we need to
proptect singapore.
I would say both sides are correct. Why? Have patience to read my
reply then.
National Service was made with good intentions in mind. The
singapore government when it first set up, realised the dangers of
relying on outsiders to defend singapore. The British barely put up
a good fight, and the japanese while they were here carried out
atrocities against the chinese here. Hence, there was a need that
singapore have its own defence system and a credible one at
that.
Secondly, this may sound touchy but I am just trying to be
objective. Singapore is surrounded by muslim countries. No
disrespect to singapore's neighbours but religon can be used by
fanatics as a reason to wage war on any non-muslim country.
Singapore would be a likely target then. So probably, it's good to
be ready.
However, even though national service was started with good
intentions in mind, the intentions have been lost altogether.
People no longer remember the real reason for national service. And
in fact, see it more as a burden than anything else.
Singaporeans nowadays are very pampered and have all the material
comforts they need. Singaporeans lead a life without war and
struggle not in minefields but struggle to get good grades or
struggle to get their 5 Cs. War probably would never cross the mind
of these well-fed and pampered people. Moreover, as compared to
some other countries, singapore is relatively more abundant with
job oppurtunities so with so many other jobs to choose, who would
want to join the army.
Then, there is the fact that RSAF is consisted mostly of NSFs.
Young men who are reluctantly made to wear that ugly green uniform
and made to say the SAF pledge every year. NSFs are there for only
2 or 2 1/2 years. It's not their career and usually not the path
they want to go in life. It's not like you get more money for being
more siao on either. True, maybe some places you get more off days,
but what's the point if you can't take your off. So basically, the
army is made up of people who don't do their best for army and then
again, who can blame them?
As I already said, singaporeans have other jobs to choose, so
usually, capable people who know they can do better outside would
definitely choose jobs elsewhere but the army. And quite often,
regulars are those who have no choice but to work in army and don't
have the ability to find better jobs elsewhere.
Actually, I think this is a long reply from me and honestly, i
myself am getting sian. But just wanted to share a bit of my views.
Overall, national service was started with good intentions in mind,
but it seems the purpose of national service has been forgotten.
It's also the people in army that make army life such a pain.
