many times we only see welfare as short-term, instant
gratification (e.g. off, leave) and almost always from the
personal, private life perspective. we fail to see welfare in the
longer-term, and from the professional angle. i guess the fact that
ours is a conscript force and that we dont live in constant threat
of annihilation plays a huge part in this. of course, the fact that
accomplishing the latter means short term pain (i.e. tough
training, drilling in discipline, etc) does not help either.
but indeed, from the organisation's point of view, welfare can only
encompass both, and in fact, the latter has to take precedence over
the former. only then can it be accountable to the nation for
discharging its duties fully and for taking care of the people
under its charge.
but this hence also creates the constant tussle.
