how will sg reservists respond?
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will you run or fight for the unique policies?
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JERUSALEM (AP) -- Roy Bass emerged from the Mediterranean waves at noon Friday for a Popsicle break when, surfboard in hand, he heard his cell phone ringing on the beach. It was a recorded message: "An emergency draft has been activated."
Four hours later, the 27-year-old computer programmer was at an army base, in full uniform, preparing to head to Israel's northern border, where troops were massing to take on Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
Israel's mighty military is comprised of thousands like Bass -- ordinary civilians who, at a moment's notice, respond to the call to arms.
On Friday, several thousand reservists were drafted for immediate, emergency duty. By Friday night, the army chief of staff announced the response was full, plus thousands who volunteered on their own initiative.
"The reserves have proven themselves once again," said Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, the army chief of staff.
The enthusiastic response highlights the intimate relationship Israel has with its army. Nearly every Jewish Israeli has served in the army, and opinion polls consistently show the army to be the country's most trusted institution.
Since Israel became independent in 1948, reserves have been the backbone of its military, conditioned to drop everything and be mobilized within a day or two to back up the far smaller core of active duty soldiers. Men from all walks of life -- and increasingly women with special skills -- instantly become soldiers again.
Israel's standing army of about 186,500 troops can jump to 631,500 with rapid mobilization, according to figures from the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies.
The system has proved effective in all of Israel's wars. In 1973, when Egypt and Syria attacked en masse on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, thousands of reservists were summoned from their homes and synagogues and rushed to the front lines to push back the offensive.
Despite Israel's increasing reliance on technological superiority, military service remains a rite of passage. All 18-year-old men are drafted for three years and will continue with the reserves into their 40s, by which time many will have sons in the army or reserves. Women are drafted for two years.
As Israel's military dominance has grown, it has become less reliant on its reserves. The retirement age has been gradually lowered from 51 to 40 in some cases, and the number of reserves called up has steadily dropped, with the army focusing more on those with specialized skills, such as air force pilots and intelligence officers.
Some view the task the way Americans view jury duty -- boring and disruptive, especially for college students and the self-employed. Most, however, welcome it as a break from the rigors of daily life, a chance to bond with old comrades in a setting where a backgammon board is often a more important accessory than a rifle.
In peacetime, a reserve stint is something to be haggled over with a commanding officer with all sorts of excuses -- a college exam, an overseas vacation, a spell of dental surgery.
But when the call-up is an "Order 8," military parlance for an emergency summons, the response is visceral.
"All of a sudden it becomes a real war, it changes everything," Bass said by cell phone from his base in northern Israel.
Bass serves annually in his armored battalion, but this is his first Order 8.
Where once Israelis were drafted to war by air raid sirens, passwords over the radio and recruiters going door to door, today they are summoned by computerized calls to their cell phones.
When Bass got his call-up, he sped home and swapped his bathing suit for an army uniform.
"There was no dilemma, no doubt in my mind because it is something you grow up with, that this is the most important thing there is," he said. "It's ingrained deep inside you -- if they call you, you go."
Even without a war, reservists are as much at risk as regular soldiers. The two soldiers who were kidnapped by Hezbollah on the Lebanon border, triggering the current round of fighting, were reservists.
Ephraim Sneh, a lawmaker and former general, said his three parliamentary assistants were drafted for emergency duty. He said those who are called are genuinely needed and, therefore, "whoever serves, serves with joy."
"The destiny of Israel is the hands of the few, and we owe our lives to the few," he said. "Those who are on the front lines were always the few, but thanks to these devoted people we are still here." -
You just have to wait and see
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In peacetime, a reserve stint is something to be haggled over with a commanding officer with all sorts of excuses -- a college exam, an overseas vacation, a spell of dental surgery.
In war time, first must see whether any children of the elites are among those who are called up.
If they go, then I go.
At least two Majors of the IDF died in the current Lebanon conflict.
Mao Tze Tung sacrificed his son in the Korean war.
Want to win, that's the way to go. -
I will gladly go, on the condition if I come back alive and kicking, no more annual IPPT for me.
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if got gurantee come back alive n kicking.. every single one go to war already lo!Originally posted by ditzy:I will gladly go, on the condition if I come back alive and kicking, no more annual IPPT for me. -
i will go
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Depends on what the emergency is, if we are out to invade another country, we will tell the operator for the silent mob to fly kite and fark spidey. However if some country or terrorist group is looking for trouble in our country, even the blind and the crippled of Singapore will show them the business ends of the M-16As.
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But what if Singapore is subjected to what Lebanon is experiencing now ? The whole infrasructure and economical vehicle being destroyed... nearly every factories, farms, roads, bridge and trucks are being bombed... and we are a weaker military ?
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if it really endangers our livelihood like the cutting of water supply for no good reason, then no problem, we can lay our lives down to put things right.
But if it is to make friends with Bush and join them in their adventures, then the response will be very poor. -
my bet is that quite a healthy number of sg reservists will be on the next flight out
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Singapore(SGP) -- Kiasi Tan emerged from the Santosa waves at noon Friday for a Mac Icecream break when, surfboard in hand, he heard his cell phone ringing on the beach. It was a recorded message: "An emergency draft has been activated."
He threw the cell phone into the waters. Four hours later, the 27-year-old computer programmer was at Bintan away from the conflict assuming on a sudden holiday with an unexpected accident of losing his cell phone on the beach.
As a result, he was fined $5,000 a few months after the incident for his negligence. -
Kuala Lumpur (SGP) - August 2011. In a bid for water security, Singapore Expeditionary Forces Div I, II, VI occupied Penang Island, Malacca, and the the buffer zone 50km beyond the borders of present day Johor. The unlawful occupants of the Sultante of Johor were captured and are awaiting trial for impersonation. The rightful hereditary Sultan was installed in a colourful ceremony by the President of Singapore at the Istana today.Originally posted by Ito_^:Singapore(SGP) -- Kiasi Tan emerged from the Santosa waves at noon Friday for a Mac Icecream break when, surfboard in hand, he heard his cell phone ringing on the beach. It was a recorded message: "An emergency draft has been activated."
He threw the cell phone into the waters. Four hours later, the 27-year-old computer programmer was at Bintan away from the conflict assuming on a sudden holiday with an unexpected accident of losing his cell phone on the beach.
As a result, he was fined $5,000 a few months after the incident for his negligence.
Said 3SG Ai Lim Chwee, "Reservist training is a misnomer - we are the operationally-ready citizens of Singapore, and we are here to expel the racist terrorists who attempted to seize control and damage our water supplies." Like Saregeant Ai, a 250 000 strong occupationary force is currently in the Northern peninsula under UN auspices to weed out UM racist terrorist cells. Pursuit of these criminals are unabated. It is believed that these terrorists are currently in the jungles of Southern Thailand or in the Nothern Territories. General Kin Kin Hoot announced a policy of rapid deployment and containment of these renegade elements.
The MOD and SAF announced that Endau-Rompin region will be rezoned for comercial and residential use. All veterans will receive 30 acres. Singaporeans were cheered by this popular action and morale among the populace increased significantly despite the troubles. Said PM Lee Hong Tay, "we recognized the tremendous sacrifices that Singaporeans have endured for years; we will right the wrongs of history and pursue our manifest destiny of bringing peace, justice, liberty and democracy to the savages of these regions. It is our duty to pacify these areas."
With opinion polls at an all time-high, it is expected that a overwhelming electoral victory will be secured. Said elections officers, "just because we have a war going on, does not mean that democracy is suspended, instead we need to show the terrorists that terrorism cannot win, and the Singapore way of life will persist, because it is the just and right way."
Johor Public Utilities Board has announced the extension and creation of several water conservation areas. Some of these intrude or border existing suburbs or towns. Current residents have been assured that they will not be affected by this rezoning but further development will not be permitted.
Java has protested to the UN Security Council but a sponsored resolution condemning Singapore's action was defeated by China, USA, and Britain. France and Russia abstained. Said the Secretary-General, Huang Di, "We recognize Singapore's right of existence and need for security. We hope that disproportionate force will not be used, and hardships will not be forced on the civilian population.
Today, Riau islands, a Singapore protectorate will hold a referendum to vote on accension to the Singapore confederation comprising of Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Singapore. Early polls show an overwhelming majority of residents in favour of becoming a constituent state and Singapore citizenship.
In a joint session of the Singapore Parliament and Congress, Aceh representatives started talks on accension to the confedaration.
........ That's when I do National Service ..... -
you neglected the bit about turning the occupied lands into a super grc.....
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I will never fight for singapore.
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i'll not go.. and i'll NOT want to go.. even if they shoot me in the foot, cuz...
I ROD LIAO!!!
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you better not be on the other side, no matter how many sg reservists turn up.Originally posted by vito_corleone:my bet is that quite a healthy number of sg reservists will be on the next flight out -
problem is - u'll be recalled (perhaps still thinking that its a 'normal' mobilization exercise) and u wont know a thing before they tell u to draw arms and next time u know....
u're already shooting live rounds at real 'targets'... and there's a good chance u wont live to see another day.
small pawns wont even know the real reason for the war. -
i'll be on neither, you'll see me relaxing on a beach in a faraway land, cigarette in one hand, tropical cocktail in another.Originally posted by sgdiehard:you better not be on the other side, no matter how many sg reservists turn up. -
Island of sg will be Marine Parade GRC.Originally posted by countdracula:you neglected the bit about turning the occupied lands into a super grc..... -
Then we return the favour with NBCs....Originally posted by MobyDog:But what if Singapore is subjected to what Lebanon is experiencing now ? The whole infrasructure and economical vehicle being destroyed... nearly every factories, farms, roads, bridge and trucks are being bombed... and we are a weaker military ? -
I wonder if they have as much issues with chao kengs as the SAF does ... -
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"The destiny of Israel is the hands of the few, and we owe our lives to the few," he said. "Those who are on the front lines were always the few, but thanks to these devoted people we are still here."Originally posted by gUms:[b]"The destiny of pulua ubin is in the hands of the few, and we owe our lives to the few," phua chu kang said. "Those who are on the front lines fishing at pulua ubin were always the few, but thanks to these few devoted fishermans we are still here. , for another good tasty fresh lobsters & crabs DAY~~"