Why NS? - New Citizens & Permanent Residents

Nighthawkies SG

I REFER to last Friday's letter by Mr Michael Ang, 'Make English and modified NS a must'.

National service (NS) is not merely a rite of passage for young male Singaporeans. It was conceived with a specific objective to build up a citizens' army to defend Singapore militarily. This objective remains true today.

It is tempting to argue that foreigners should do NS as a price to pay for Singapore citizenship because many view NS as a liability borne by Singaporeans. However, NS functions as part of a wider framework of the war-fighting doctrine of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), as well as Singapore's national development. Manpower requirements, including those for conscription, must be meticulously identified and implemented.

Many foreigners coming to Singapore are in their late 20s or older. They are already economically productive and can immediately contribute to Singapore's economy. It makes little sense to disrupt their activities for two years. Whatever social networks they have developed would also need to be rebuilt.

Having modified NS is feasible only if it fits in with the overall requirements of the SAF and complements its capability. It is a waste of resources if it exists only to make some people 'serve their duty'.

Furthermore, the largest army corps is the infantry and this is where the SAF needs the most people. However, studies in other countries have shown that the specific kind of fitness needed for infantry soldiers, involving a combination of agility, stamina and tolerance of sleep deprivation, starts to degrade from the late 20s onwards. This is why armies across the world have a lower maximum age to join the infantry.

Xiao Fuchun

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BFor...ry_415050.html

ditzy SG

All bu||sh|t lar, going by the above studies, I should stop attending my ICTs next year.

charlize SG

Why is this in ChitChat and not in Speaker's Corner?

Why?

caleb_chiang SG

Going by that, I think I no need go ICT, Ippt liao... can the writer of the letter fight for us?

charlize SG

Let's see who will write to the ST to ask for the above requests.

And then Mindef will have to give their standard template reply and get involved.

caleb_chiang SG

No need... just ask the reporter going through this forum to write an article about it can liao...

deepak.c SG

Singaporeans serve reservist all the way to age 45 y.o. and 55 y.o., I don't see why foreigners 55 y.o. below seeking to be Singapore citizens should be excluded from military service.

Arapahoe SG

ai ya.....please lah just put the writer alone to stand infront of the entire battlion and NS Men and explain why he think NS is wasting HIS time.....

FYI Uncle Sam admit individual until age 39.....

It is a very simple deal nobody point a Gun on HIS head to come to Singapore. So if you choose to come accept the term. If not move on.

panzergrenadier SG

Most of us enlisted at 19/20 years old. But your reservist starts typically around 25+ and lasts for 10 years or age 40 (warrant officers/specialists/enlisted) or age 50 (officers).

In fact, most of our reservists are aged late 20s to mid 30s, so this Xiao Fu Chun chap is talking rubbish. In fact, I have fellow reservist cheonging with me through BCTC assault course at age 39 while I was age 32. My friend who is aged 40 by end of this year still got called up although he is PES C2.

I don't mind foreigners coming in on a level playing field. But they want to have their cake (siam NSF/reservist) and eat it too (enjoy jobs/careers'/$$$). Even if they don't serve combat vocation, there's tonnes of national/public service they can do.

http://military-life.blogspot.com/2009/08/ns-for-adult-new-citizens-not-practical.html

Majullah Singapura.

Arapahoe SG

Most athletics peak at their performance at around 35 so there is really no big deal with a older soldiers. U always want a good mix.

Ah Chia SG

To Shin Min reporter:

Last time the JusticeLegal affair about smelly NSF in bus you did a story in your tabloid newspaper, so can you do another story on the outrage by us local Singaporeans; of foreign "citizens" siam the NS while we local born Singaporeans must go through the ICT?

Thanks.

Ah Chia

caleb_chiang SG

But I seriously doubt they would report this thread....

charlize SG

But I seriously doubt they would report this thread....

The reporter can try.

But the editor will stop her right away.

However, if the editor lets it through for publishing, then you can imagine what will happen next.

baikachuchu SG

Let that joker say what he wants,me and my "LOW CLASS" trooper buddies from the various SIRs only have pity for him.

It will be a sad day when he finds it hard to rub shoulders with the native Singaporean male and can only identify with NEWLY minted Singaporeans and foreigners here.

In the mean time,I will be keeping my FAD and ID tag close by.I hope that even though Mr Xiao lacks the agility and stamina to hold a rifle and shoot at the enemy,he should still have the ability to retrieve our ID Tags and pass them on to our grieving families should the time come....don't worry,this effort on your part WILL BE ECONOMICALLY REWARDED.

Do try to stay behind in Singapore in such a time and provide comfort and care to those families whose sons were riflemen and unable to contribute economically as well as you.With their LIMITED social network,I'm sure they would like to RIP,knowing that their families are being taken care by someone who has CONNECTIONS.

Don't worry,the stench of Singaporean corpses will be only a minor discomfort for you since you will be able to roll your face in the suitcases of cash that you SURELY would have accumulated by then.The smell of crisp dollar bills cures all discomforts.

New NSMen Motto "We fight so that Mr Xiao do not have to.Would you like to upsize your request SIR?"

Man!x SG

Furthermore, the largest army corps is the infantry and this is where the SAF needs the most people. However, studies in other countries have shown that the specific kind of fitness needed for infantry soldiers, involving a combination of agility, stamina and tolerance of sleep deprivation, starts to degrade from the late 20s onwards. This is why armies across the world have a lower maximum age to join the infantry.

So can i be a non-combat NSman? Since i am in my late 20s and my combat stamina has degraded?

Having modified NS is feasible only if it fits in with the overall requirements of the SAF and complements its capability. It is a waste of resources if it exists only to make some people 'serve their duty'.

I think its a waste of Singapore's resources to provide a passport, jobs, homes for these idiots who balk at national service but wants the privileges of a citizen.

The author's name sounds like a Chinaman name. A cowardly Chinaman.

trashbag SG

- mind your usage of words -

gd4u SG

I have a feeling that this guy is a PR n whining why must go through so much to get a pink IC.

There is no free lunch in the world dude. And you chose to come here. lastly, what is with that bullshit about losing networks. In fact, NS build even more networks ....