NS Enlistment Act in 1967
-
March 1967 - An event that changed the lives of many young male Singaporeans
Today as we enjoy the relative peace and stability in our country, it should be noted that National Service (NS) has a big part to play in this. March 2005 marks 38 years of NS. For many, our fathers have done us proud in the defence of Singapore and now, it is our turn to receive the batons. It is timely to reflect on the sentiments and moods of the people when the NS (Amendment) Act was passed 35 years ago.
The NS (Amendment) Bill, 1967 was first read in Parliament on 27 Feb 1967. After a spirited debate in Parliament, the Act was finally passed on 14 Mar 1967.
Unlike previous failed attempts at NS, the 1967 Act held a special meaning to the leaders and people of Singapore. Singapore after 1965 could not rely only on foreign powers for protection. In fact, the British had by then signalled the possibility of withdrawing their forces east of the Suez Canal. The leaders knew there was little question about the need to defend Singapore ourselves, as far as was practicable. It was with that in mind that Prime Minister of the day, Mr Lee Kuan Yew and other Ministers appealed to Singapore citizens to support NS.
Not all people shared the same sentiments. The passing of the Act saw anti-NS marches, the most serious by some 300 people at New Bridge Road, Rochore Canal Road near Albert Street and Kim Keat Road. Tear gas shells were used to disperse the crowd and about 13 people were arrested.
Thankfully for Singapore, the majority of the population understood the need to defend it, having gone through the Japanese Occupation, the struggle for self-government, Konfrontasi and the ongoing struggles against local communism. Many were to say years later when interviewed, "We did not know what to expectÂ….We felt like guinea pigs Â….But we understood the need for defence." This was a voice of conviction although there was also fear of what to expect from NS.
The passing of the NS (Amendment) Act in mid-Mar 1967 was a turning point in the lives of Singaporean males. Between 28 Mar and 18 Apr 1967, registration began in earnest at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) and its district offices in Katong, Serangoon and Bukit Panjang. Pink reminder cards were sent by post to the first batch of citizens who were born between 1 Jan 1949 and 30 Jun 1949 – some 9,000 of them. This marked the beginning of the citizen army and also the start of NS as a way of life for the male citizens of Singapore. Unlike the earlier days, today’s youths are better prepared psychologically to accept this challenge.
First National Service registration at the Central Manpower Base
The passing of the National Service (Amendment) Bill called for:
10% of eligible males to be enlisted for two years active service, followed by ten years in 'front-line' reserve, and Majority of the remainder to be enlisted for part-time NS for 12 years in either the PDF, Special Constabulary or Vigilante Corps.
Only 10% of men eligible for NS were selected for full-time NS because of the relatively few number of trainers available from the small full-time army. The first batch of 900 men were absorbed into 3 and 4 SIR in Taman Jurong Camp by 7 Sep 67, while the new buildings at Bedok were still under construction.
All full-time NSmen enlisted into the Army were required to serve two years in active service and ten years in front-line reserves (that's what the NSmen were called then). On 22 Mar 68, the first intake of NSmen from 3 SIR and 4 SIR completed their basic military training and proceeded to the next level of training. material taken from http://www.mindef.gov.sg -
An old reservist officer once told me that during his officer cadet training back in the mid-70s, he and a few other cadets were made to carry a bed and to march round and round the parade square carrying the bed, as a form of punishment.
just imagine what a spectacle that would be if conducted in today's army..
-
what irony , Government doesn't trusts the muslim countries around us.
Behind that shaking of hands , Singaporeans aren't dumb!
Technically , they still oppose our dealing with Israel , but if not for the sake of the media and to signal good relations , both of them would have their hands on each other.
What do we fight for ? What do we live for ? Singaporeans have a right to know how much foreign reserves and how GIC is doing.
Its like a men who guard his bank account , as a defender , but doesn't know how much his bank account has.
The government is operating at a "we know best" attitude , effectively all kinds of feedback at all levels , but they would still give "pretend to consider" attitude to us. How fake can that ever be?
However, on the other hand , even if Singapore wasn't a chinese majority country in comparison to our malay neighbours , it could still be attacked , just like what happened to Iraq and Kuwait .
Oh ya, the inter-religious talk held at the CC , what irony again !
oh yeah, a disguise of "racial harmony" so that in the event of war breaks up, communal problems wouldn't happen and the singapore troops could fight peacefully in war.
With regards to Singapore and Islam , Islam is a great religion which existed for thousands of years and the colour of their skin , which binds them together and cannot be change. Singapore only has a mere 40 years of nation building , and citizenship can be easily changed by signatures.
What makes you think by indoctrinating them with propoganda , they will choose to believe in a system which is only 40 years old , rather then to
believe in a brotherhood across the world , from Middle East to South East Asia?
Everyone in this forum chooses to agree , but i purposely choose to disagree.
Go on , shoot me. Prove me wrong.
The world has so much irony.
NS is "wayang". and forever will be .
Racism/anti countryism still exists , though hardly felt ....
Just like coffeeshop talk by some car owners , who were blaming those
malay policeman for "unfairly accepting" traffic bribes.
So volatile. so uncontrolled.
Blind message of hate...Malaysia , Indonesia and Singapore should look towards a total dis-arnament policy.
But that is if everyone could be trust. Nah, not them , not us definitely.
So NS is here to stay. i pity the NS man here , who lose their singapore girls to "ang mohs" and in the end marry vietnamese girls and
being utilised by the government on 1 side , wasted their youth for a so-called "Nationalistic cause" on another side , and get milked out of every cent they have, with the cost of living , in which the goverment claims is low.
But they can never understand , how does it feels to take $1,000 a month.
Perhaps our finance minister could try having $1,000 a month , only then
will he feel , furthermore, his job is less physically strenuous then what a NS man have to go through.
I wish all singapore men all the best for the coming year.. -
NS is wayang if u think is wayang or you can take it positively as for the racism i would agree that even in all countries in the world it exist only is it a big issue that affect your daily life...not here
-
It has became part of a male Singaporans life
-
i heard before stand-by-bed on the parade square.Originally posted by cornyfish2000:An old reservist officer once told me that during his officer cadet training back in the mid-70s, he and a few other cadets were made to carry a bed and to march round and round the parade square carrying the bed, as a form of punishment.
just imagine what a spectacle that would be if conducted in today's army.. -
racism will always be here and not go. why?? becos we are all surrounded by muslim countries. malaysia is always preying on us, and indon killing our chinese mans and raping chinese womens, know why malay cant have hold high ranking positions in our military service??
Cos in terms of war, u think those malays in singapore will fight againist neighbouring countries? Think carefully -
thats the reason why they are mostly posted to scdf. in war what they use, water hose!
-
how come from start of National Service talk talk talk until racism. pls stop it or else actions will be taken.
-
In the 90s, SAF activated some 'heavy units' on the eve of National Day. Know why or not???
I can tell you but I have to silence you off after that.
-
duplicated
-
I know why, but maybe I'll have to silence you too.Originally posted by Manager433:In the 90s, SAF activated some 'heavy units' on the eve of National Day. Know why or not???
I can tell you but I have to silence you off after that.
Anyway, talking of a brotherhood that spans the world, where was it when they suffered in Aceh during the tsunami?Where was the brotherhood when innocents Iraqis got killed by insurgents who are insane?
It's all political, and if you can keep some semblance of trust and business alliance in this world, then we are already somewhere.But the thing about government knows best has to change.We are not kampung people who needs to be told by graduates what to do.We are graduates, people with our own mind and God help Singapore if she can't get out of the nanny state mentality.For by then, NS will not even be of any use in keeping unity. -
Dude..I am a malay and i seriously tell you that...if singapore was a war with china or taiwan..will the chinese kill the other chinese ?? THINK CAREFULLY...Originally posted by wudimax:racism will always be here and not go. why?? becos we are all surrounded by muslim countries. malaysia is always preying on us, and indon killing our chinese mans and raping chinese womens, know why malay cant have hold high ranking positions in our military service??
Cos in terms of war, u think those malays in singapore will fight againist neighbouring countries? Think carefully -
Dun need to tell... Indo and MY had a joint exercise near to our National Day... They did exercise at Johor - At our door-step..Originally posted by Manager433:In the 90s, SAF activated some 'heavy units' on the eve of National Day. Know why or not???
I can tell you but I have to silence you off after that.
This is written onto the Defending the Lion City book -
I will, if that b*stard screws with my family, friends and the things I hold dear.Blood ties are only a barrier until the bullets starts flying.Originally posted by SerialBox:Dude..I am a malay and i seriously tell you that...if singapore was a war with china or taiwan..will the chinese kill the other chinese ?? THINK CAREFULLY... -
correct...blood ties are just blood ties..Originally posted by LazerLordz:I will, if that b*stard screws with my family, friends and the things I hold dear.Blood ties are only a barrier until the bullets starts flying.
but when u are in a war...if ur enemy is a malay and the other guy is a malay..
Shouldnt he shoot him because were the same race?
racial stuff in the army is bull shiet man..
i bet any soldier in the world will shoot any of his enemy regardless his race...
SO THINK CAREFULLY ... -
Ignore that fella.Actually, in a war, no one knows how the trooper beside you will react.I wouldn't know how willing my men will fight for me too.Plans are plans and when the s.hit hits the fan, then you will see heroes and cowards.
-
Lazer, men don't fight for commanders, they fight for their own lives and their loved ones.Originally posted by LazerLordz:I wouldn't know how willing my men will fight for me too.cowards.
That's why a commander should always EARN the respect and trust of their men.
Too many times I've seen commanders juz blatantly demanding respect. In such instances, i'll only respect the rank by default, not the person wearing it. In times of war, these commanders will be the first to be abandoned by their men.
In the chaos of war, i guess everyone fights for their own agenda. [/b] -
Originally posted by Zooish:
Please don't rip up my message and misquote me.I'm just speculating on my men, not demanding respect.Instead, I would worry more for my guys than my life.But in the end, each man fights for those he deems valuable.
Lazer, men don't fight for commanders, they fight for their own lives and their loved ones.
That's why a commander should always EARN the respect and trust of their men.
Too many times I've seen commanders juz blatantly demanding respect. In such instances, i'll only respect the rank by default, not the person wearing it. In times of war, these commanders will be the first to be abandoned by their men.
In the chaos of war, i guess everyone fights for their own agenda. [/b] -
No lah, don't get me wrong, i'm not accusing you of demanding respect, i juz tot the way you phrased that sentence sounds wrong.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Please don't rip up my message and misquote me.I'm just speculating on my men, not demanding respect.Instead, I would worry more for my guys than my life.But in the end, each man fights for those he deems valuable.
The demanding respect part wasn't directed at you, its directed at those f*cked up commanders i had the misfortune of workin with during NS. -
Dude, we all had f*cked up commanders.I had a piece of s.hit for a CSM during my BMT.And a fishy smell for a IT warrant during my vocational training, not to mention the countless inept seniors in my NS life.Originally posted by Zooish:No lah, don't get me wrong, i'm not accusing you of demanding respect, i juz tot the way you phrased that sentence sounds wrong.
The demanding respect part wasn't directed at you, its directed at those f*cked up commanders i had the misfortune of workin with during NS. -
Originally posted by Zooish:
i fully agrees with u. take for instance, my 3 sgts. all a bunch of f*** ups.
That's why a commander should always EARN the respect and trust of their men.
Too many times I've seen commanders juz blatantly demanding respect. In such instances, i'll only respect the rank by default, not the person wearing it. In times of war, these commanders will be the first to be abandoned by their men.[/b] -
think carefully.................Originally posted by wudimax:know why malay cant have hold high ranking positions in our military service?? -
i had done it on my platoon.Originally posted by Gordonator:i heard before stand-by-bed on the parade square. -
u all bring down the bed?Originally posted by Joshua1975:i had done it on my platoon.