A smattering of general comments:
Conscription gives Singapore a ridiculously big number of soldiers
for its army - officially we've 300,000 combat soldiers including
reservists, and I think it's more.
Do we really need this many soldiers to defend such a small land
area? If they made it a regular-only army, there'd still be a good
number willing to serve. One reason why they don't abolish
conscription is because it's already ingrained, and the inertia
prevents further change.
And Singapore also does not offer an option for conscientious
objectors - those who are against killing and being an army, like
most other countries. Instead, these people are thrown into jail. I
really think the option should be provided, so these people do not
betray their consciences and principles. Of course, the term of
service should be lengthened to get rid of those who just want an
easy way out of NS.
On it being too long:
Definitely. Being in the army too long causes mental degenration
and atrophy. The economic loss is definitely great.
Once you're in a unit for 6 months, I think you'll be more than
familiar with your vocation. And being with people longer may not
cause you to bond, it may further deepen existing rifts and
aggravate hatreds. Besides, I think once you go to reservist, you
don't work with the same people you did in full time NS (correct me
I'm wrong).
Perhaps what they should do is send everyone through BMT, the
relevant courses (like OCS, SISPEC, Signals, Medic et al) and let
them train for a few months in a unit. More training than that'd be
superfluous. And there's always reservist to refresh the memory.
Hell, they should send girls to at least BMT too so they can take
up a rifle.
On indefensibility:
Singapore indeed does not have strategic depth. But we can defend
ourselves, especially if we strike first, as our armed forces is
one of the best or the best in the region.
On pay:
I agree, $10 a day is too ridiculously low 
As someone observed, "You pay me peanuts, you get a
monkey". If you're going to enslave us, at least give us a better
pittance to comfort us! At least pay's going up from July 1st.
Retorting people's grievances with "you are a man" arguments
doesn't really work, you know. Especially for those who don't care
about society's arbitrary notions of what men should do or be like
(Bah).
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Air!
______________________________ http://www.geocities.com/gssq/
[This message has been edited by gssq (edited 26 May 2002).]