I Am Thankful...
-
Just had an interesting evening with 2 Mexican and 1 French exchange students. Over food, I was curious if they had conscription over in their countries.
In Mexico, there is conscription, but its like a "lucky draw" system. Once the males turn 18, they turn up at the recruitment center, put their hands into a box, and pick up a ball, if its black they need to serve, it its white, they don't have to serve. Both didn't enlist, but they mentioned that they think that its crazy to be in the military.
The French guy was absolutely against conscription.saying that being made to do compulsory military service is a totally Nazi kinda thing. And asked who are we kidding man...this is 2007, there ain't gonna be no wars to fight. He views people whom serve in the military to be mentally unsound.
Why am I thankful? Because I know for a fact that NS has prepared a nation that is ready to act and we know what to do when we encounter a crisis.They were not bothered by the need for a strong military force. Mexico I understand as they are door-to-door with Uncle Sam and the big guy can protect them, the French I understand because they have got the French Foreign Legion to do the dirty work for them. And their attitudes towards work is also totally different from us. I will post more tml...too darn tired now.
Cheers,
SpecOps87
Sincere Blessings To Those Whom Are Willing To Pay For The Price Of Our Freedom With Their Sweat And Blood. Salutes! -
According to the American Constitution,conscription is illegal.
Anyway,you haben enlist right?
-
Oh you'll be real thankful after bmt, real thankful.
-
I wonder if he will say the same things if he kena 7x weekend guard duties...
-
or two weeks confinement =POriginally posted by Marco_Simone:I wonder if he will say the same things if he kena 7x weekend guard duties...
but seriously these nations have a backing or 'kao shan' to rely on... who do we have? and that's the reason why we still need people to hold the fort, no matter how idealistic it sounds... -
I don't get it...why is it that when someone expresses his/her/its view about some policy which makes sense in the present unstable undercurrent in the modern world, others will come up with smart comments like "You will be real thankful after you kena 7 wkend guard duties, after you finish your BMT etc." Its here for a reason of need, not want. So you don't have to love it, you just have to do it. Same as your studies...studies are a pain too right? You can choose not to...so why bother?
-
You can choose not to study, in singapore, can you choose not to serve?Originally posted by SpecOps87:I don't get it...why is it that when someone expresses his/her/its view about some policy which makes sense in the present unstable undercurrent in the modern world, others will come up with smart comments like "You will be real thankful after you kena 7 wkend guard duties, after you finish your BMT etc." Its here for a reason of need, not want. So you don't have to love it, you just have to do it. Same as your studies...studies are a pain too right? You can choose not to...so why bother? -
don't be too uptight about it... not many people like conscription, and many don't see beyond the rationale and need to keep a operationally ready army.Originally posted by SpecOps87:I don't get it...why is it that when someone expresses his/her/its view about some policy which makes sense in the present unstable undercurrent in the modern world, others will come up with smart comments like "You will be real thankful after you kena 7 wkend guard duties, after you finish your BMT etc." Its here for a reason of need, not want. So you don't have to love it, you just have to do it. Same as your studies...studies are a pain too right? You can choose not to...so why bother?
And since you have not enlisted ( correct me if i'm wrong), you may still have this idealistic view of what army is about. -
Don't worry, you will find out the cruelty of this cruel world soon enough and see if you see it the same way as you did right now or will you curse and swear...
-
Take it easy. People here, especially those who have served their NS usually take those who have yet to enlisted with a pinch of salt. If you have ORDed, it woyuld help that you will get certain more amount of creditability.Originally posted by SpecOps87:I don't get it...why is it that when someone expresses his/her/its view about some policy which makes sense in the present unstable undercurrent in the modern world, others will come up with smart comments like "You will be real thankful after you kena 7 wkend guard duties, after you finish your BMT etc." Its here for a reason of need, not want. So you don't have to love it, you just have to do it. Same as your studies...studies are a pain too right? You can choose not to...so why bother?
Many of us have also been pretty optimistic and idealistic before we enlisted but inside most of us get pretty jaded along the way. No thanks to "7 wkend Guard duties" sitting at the gate wasting our lives away. -
yeap, before enlisting, many will have idealistic view of the army including me.Originally posted by sir sickolot II:don't be too uptight about it... not many people like conscription, and many don't see beyond the rationale and need to keep a operationally ready army.
And since you have not enlisted ( correct me if i'm wrong), you may still have this idealistic view of what army is about.
but come next month, i will find out for myself...
-
You can choose not to serve by migrating and getting citizenship of another country.Originally posted by ditzy:You can choose not to study, in singapore, can you choose not to serve?
And frankly...I would not like the 7 extras...but in life sometimes we don't have to like it, we just have to do it. take my 1st post about the French guy...my god...he says that the French can't fight and are not bothered with fighting because this is the new world...2007 man.And that the army does crazy things to your head. But thing is...the French don't fight because they have people in the French Foreign Legion to do their dirty work! I can't imagine why would others serve a nation that is not theirs to begin with. sighz... -
SpecOps87,your nick and your signature ah...reminds me of my pre-enlistment years especially when I was still in sec sch.
-
Originally posted by SpecOps87:
Hi, SpecOps87, I'm glad u think this way. I'm currently serving and going to ORD in sept. Nobody professes to love doing guard or confinements or going outfield, etc. But deep down in my heart, I know a credible defence is absolutely necessary for Singapore.
Cheers,
SpecOps87
Sincere Blessings To Those Whom Are Willing To Pay For The Price Of Our Freedom With Their Sweat And Blood. Salutes!
I may not agree with the policies (esp. elitist ones) set by the govt and sometimes disheartened by the way how many of the nation's "lower classes" are left behind while an elite minority get far ahead. But I try to remind myself often that I'm not serving to protect the govt and the elites, but my family and friends and NS buddies here.
U might think this is self-deceiving but when u think bout it, we are surrounded by neighbours who regularly use Singapore as the political whipping boy. Only with a proper defence can we hope to maintain our freedom. Of course, there's no guarantee that we will prevail should our neighbours turn hostile against us. But at least there's a better chance of successful defence than not having any soldiers to fight.
I understand that u haven't started serving NS yet, but I do sincerely hope that u will remember this thread u posted and keep it deep inside your heart. Because only when the walking gets tough, can your real character show through. -
I willOriginally posted by dark_riverter:Hi, SpecOps87, I'm glad u think this way. I'm currently serving and going to ORD in sept. Nobody professes to love doing guard or confinements or going outfield, etc. But deep down in my heart, I know a credible defence is absolutely necessary for Singapore.
I may not agree with the policies (esp. elitist ones) set by the govt and sometimes disheartened by the way how many of the nation's "lower classes" are left behind while an elite minority get far ahead. But I try to remind myself often that I'm not serving to protect the govt and the elites, but my family and friends and NS buddies here.
U might think this is self-deceiving but when u think bout it, we are surrounded by neighbours who regularly use Singapore as the political whipping boy. Only with a proper defence can we hope to maintain our freedom. Of course, there's no guarantee that we will prevail should our neighbours turn hostile against us. But at least there's a better chance of successful defence than not having any soldiers to fight.
I understand that u haven't started serving NS yet, but I do sincerely hope that u will remember this thread u posted and keep it deep inside your heart. Because only when the walking gets tough, can your real character show through. -
wow. dats easy!Originally posted by SpecOps87:You can choose not to serve by migrating and getting citizenship of another country.
im penniless and not exactly a nuclear scientist..
where do i apply?
-
I did not mind serving ...
but I do ask that the burden be shouldered equally .....
may white horses and chao kengs rot in hell !!! .....
-
Let's just say that it wasn't NS that completely changed my mindset about the importance of military service. It was a few years of political and security studies lectures that did the job.
We have no alternative. Even if we did shift to a larger proportion of regulars for the SAF, we would still need a reserve command sizeable for a second strike. This nation can't do much else regarding territorial security. -
i think throughout your NS and ICT there will be a time when you sit down with your buddy, pull some grass on the ground, and start thinking why u wear that uniform.
at least there is one thing to thank for SAF provide you alot of decent equipment and facilities are improving compare to outfit in the less develop country.
Oh by the way i can't speak for the french although I have plenty of good french friends.
But for the Mexican, u have to note that currently there are 16,000 citizen soldier fighting in Iraq to gain US residency. Some will only come back in a folded flag. some in wheel chair. But since WWII the mexican always answer the call to arm. -
Hope you will bear this in mind.Originally posted by SpecOps87:I will -
hey, maybe u'll become the head of SAF someday , i sense the determination kid.
but IMHO, u may become like one of us and look back at the "glory old days"
go in and come out in one piece , ditto what it will do with ur thinking thou.
be safe. -
Same here.Originally posted by ktk:hey, maybe u'll become the head of SAF someday , i sense the determination kid.
but IMHO, u may become like one of us and look back at the "glory old days"
go in and come out in one piece , ditto what it will do with ur thinking thou.
be safe.
I think he's got a good head on a strong set of shoulders to do his best in NS. -
lol good for u, go sign on lor
i too was like u, before bmt look forward to ns, defend country, get to use weapons . Wow so meaningful
After BMT, go to unit, my mentality totally changed, i cant stand the working environment. ITs not the stress, its the backstabbing, pushing of work, incompetent regulars who suck up to superiors....
i see how long can yr mentality last. N if it last even after u comeplete yr NS, good for u!!!!! -
NS is a good litmus test to see whether after all the bull sh1t you go through, are you able to still value the job you're doing, no matter how mundane, no matter how bothersome it might be.
Many people are not thankful for the Army. Sure it's got a lot to improve upon, but without it... you won't be singing the Majullah Singapura. That is, of course, if you treasure this as your homeland. haha -
if only NS would be further shortened.... maybe from 2 years to 1 1/2 years?