Based on my conversations with friends and family members who
are regulars, life as a regular in the Army is not the busywork and
mindless regimentation of NS. It is a job, much like in a
corporation. Specialists are like the foremen on the factory floor,
and officers are like the executives and engineers back at the
office. Same kind of work, same kind of challenges, same kind of
problems. In fact, I think that corporate structure was modelled on
the military when the first corporations came into existence. Our
SAF is more corporate in culture than most armies, apparently. Less
warrior culture. This is not a good thing IMHO.
You have about the same chance in the SAF of "making a difference"
or getting meaningful work as in most large corporations or the
government. As an officer, you may get a chance to see in new
weapon systems, develop new doctrine or really make a unit "yours",
which is not very different from what executives do in a
corporation. Not everyone gets the chance, but that is also true in
the private sector. As a specialist, you can really make your mark
on your unit -- you are the soul and spirit of the army in the end.
Again, not that different from corporate life "in the trenches".
You get stupid decisions and bad leadership from upstairs in both
the army and in the private sector. Signing on is not "zo bo" or a
curse as many people seem to think. It's just another job.
The only differences are that you have to lead a very disciplined
and physical life, superiors have more power over subordinates, and
the work is dangerous and unusual, which may make finding another
job difficult later. If you don't mind these aspects, or you are
inspired or attracted by the prospect of defending the country,
then signing on might be for you. If you cannot stand passing your
IPPT, living under a hundred rules and punishments, being commanded
by others, or just don't like the work, don't sign on. Since it is
a commitment, signing on for the money is definitely dumb and most
who do it for that regret it.
