Why NS? Conscription to Stay in Our Lifetime Forever & Ever!
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As DEFENCE policymakers here consider roping in more female volunteers, Singapore is looking at its European counterparts to learn how they get women to do their part for defence.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen is leading a delegation on a visit to Finland and Switzerland to study their conscription system.
On the team are senior Defence Ministry officials and members of the high-level Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS), including Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman and MP for Nee Soon GRC Lim Wee Kiak.
On his visit to Finland which began on Wednesday, Dr Ng called on his counterpart, Mr Carl Haglund and other top-level defence officials, including the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen.
Mindef said in a statement yesterday that the delegation was briefed on Finland's defence policy and conscription system, including the Finnish voluntary military service for women.Since the volunteer scheme started in 1995, about 400 Finnish women are drafted each year. A 2012 survey showed more than 70 per cent of Finns support compulsory national service. During its visit to the Finnish Armoured Brigade, the delegation saw how soldiers were trained and was briefed on how the military matched their aptitudes and preferences to their vocations.
The visit is part of efforts by the CSNS to canvass feedback on its area of concern. Proposals will be submitted to the Government early next year.
Dr Ng said it was useful to learn from Finland's experience, as it, like Singapore, "guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past". "Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose."Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen led a delegation comprising members from the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) on a visit to Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 to study its conscription system. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
During the visit, Dr Ng met with Finnish Minister of Defence Carl Haglund, State Secretary to the Minister of Defence Marcus Rantala, Permanent Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General Arto Räty, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen, and Chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Defence Committee Jussi Niinistö. Dr Ng's visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Finland.
The delegation was briefed on Finland's security and defence policy, and its conscription system. The delegation noted that public support for conscription in Finland is high. In a survey conducted in 2012, more than 70% of the public supported the conscription system. The delegation also learnt more about the voluntary military service available to women since 1995. Each year, about 400 Finnish women are accepted as volunteer military conscripts.
The delegation visited the Finnish Armoured Brigade in Parolannummi to learn more about basic, vocational and leadership training for military conscripts. The delegation was also briefed on how conscripts' aptitudes and preferences are taken into consideration for deployment. During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to interact with conscripts and witnessed their rigorous training.
At the end of the visit, Dr Ng highlighted that "even though Singapore's security and domestic landscape is different from Finland, it is useful to study the conscription system of Finland and learn from their experiences. Like Singapore, Finland guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past. Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose. It has been a meaningful trip for the CSNS delegation as we consider how to build on the strong public support for National Service in Singapore by expanding opportunities for the broader community to contribute to national defence, and optimise the contributions of national servicemen."
The visit is part of the CSNS' effort to study best practices in other countries as it examines measures to strengthen NS in Singapore. The delegation is currently in Switzerland studying its conscription system.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who led a CSNS delegation to study conscription systems, was in Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 and in Switzerland from 17 to 18 October 2013. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
While in Switzerland, Dr Ng was hosted by and met President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Ueli Maurer. He also met Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces Lieutenant General (LG) André Blattmann and Commander of the Swiss Air Force LG Aldo Schellenberg. The visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Switzerland.
The delegation was briefed on the Swiss conscription system. It was noted that Switzerland has enjoyed peace for more than two hundred years and there continues to be strong public support for conscription. The delegation also learnt how the Swiss Armed Forces strengthens employers' support for conscription through various engagement activities, which allow the employers to better appreciate how military training develops the individual and brings value to their companies.
The delegation visited Payerne Air Base and was briefed on how conscripts support the operations of the air base. The delegation also interacted with Swiss reservists on their annual refresher training and learnt how they maintained their military skills and technical competencies.
Speaking at the end of the trip, Dr Ng said, "The Swiss take great pride in their conscription system which has maintained their neutrality and independence and receives strong support through the generations. The Swiss Armed Forces has an efficient conscript training system which takes into consideration conscripts' abilities, motivation and aptitude during the assignment of military vocations. Women can also volunteer for conscription. The CSNS will review the lessons learnt and consider ways to optimise the contributions of our servicemen."
The third phase of public consultation by the CSNS will involve discussion of proposals in more detail. Members of the public who wish to participate can find out more at www.strengthenNS.sg. -
Though Singapore only gained her current version of armed forces in 1967, the history of her defence started long before then. Under colonial rule that started in 1819, Singapore relied on British forces to protect her from all threats. A turning point occurred in 1854 with the creation of the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps (SVRC), a volunteer organisation to maintain internal security.
In 1888, the SVRC became the Singapore Volunteer Artillery (SVA), and its success prompted formation of other volunteer corps. In 1901, these were all consolidated into the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC). In 1922, the SVC was renamed the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) to include volunteer forces from Malacca and Penang.
In December 1941, the Japanese campaign into South East Asia had begun. The British commanders had thought that Singapore was an "impregnable fortress", but troops stationed here were inexperienced compared to the Japanese forces.. On 10 Dec 1941, disaster struck when two British battleships, Repulse and Prince of Wales, were sunk by Japanese planes. On 8 February, the Japanese crossed the narrow Straits of Johore into Kranji and Sarimbun, beginning their invasion of Singapore. For the next seven days, the British put up stiff resistance but were no match for the Japanese. Volunteer forces also fought alongside regular forces in the Battles of Bukit Timah and Pasir Panjang to fend off the Japanese. Despite all their efforts, on 15th February 1942, Singapore was surrendered.
During the Japanese occupation, the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) and local forces were indispensable to the war effort. SSVF corpswoman Elizabeth Choy was detained and interrogated by the Kempeitai alongside other locals following the Double Tenth Massacre. Men and women such as Lim Bo Seng joined special operations forces, gathered intelligence and fought where they could. The Chinese in Singapore's volunteer armies were targeted during the Sook Ching Massacre, or sent with other prisoners of war to build the Death Railway.
In May 1945, the war in Europe ended with Germany's surrender. Soon after, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945 respectively signalled the end of Japan's war efforts. On 15 August 1945, the Japanese invaders in Singapore laid down their arms and the Japanese occupation was over.
The perceived failure of the British to defend Singapore against the Japanese during WWII caused Singaporeans to desire greater autonomy from the British and precipitated the formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF), which had been dissolved, was reinstated in 1949 as the SVC to keep peace domestically.
The year 1957 saw the establishment of the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR). 2 SIR joined 1 SIR in 1962. Their first real test came in 1963 in the form of Konfrantasi. 1 SIR, 2 SIR, the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) and the Vigilante Corps (VC) were all deployed to protect strategically important sites. The VC found incredible support from citizens, with 91.4% of eligible men volunteering.
On 9 August 1965, after more than 100 years of British colonial rule and two tumultuous years under the Malaysian Federation, Singapore was declared a sovereign and independent nation. It was a time of great uncertainty as the leaders were faced with the enormous task of charting the path of our national destiny. Nevertheless, Singapore was determined to not only survive on its own but to succeed.
An urgent priority after independence was to build up Singapore's own defence capability. Singapore then had only two infantry battalions of 50 officers and some 1,000 men and two ships. There was no airforce. Singapore's armed forces had to be created virtually from scratch.
In August 1965, the Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID) was established with Dr. Goh Keng Swee as its first Minister. The key priority then was to build up the Army into a credible force as soon as possible. With its small population and the need to channel resources to economic development, it was decided that Singapore's defence would be based on citizen armed forces. However, there was no military tradition in Singapore. The bulk of the population had traditionally held military service in low esteem. An intense educational effort was required to overcome such attitudes. Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and community leaders volunteered to serve in the People's Defence Force. In this way, they set an example and drove home the message that it was the responsibility of every citizen to defend their nation.
National Service started two years later in 1967. 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.
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.
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) began as the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF) in 1966 with just three ships, RSS Panglima, RSS Bedok and RSS Singapura. RSS Singapura, moored at Telok Ayer Basin, served as the SNVF's first headquarters. Thus, the newly formed naval force had only two seaworthy ships to form its sea defences.
What the SNVF lacked in resources was made up for in determination and hard work. Though a small force to begin with, the SNVF underwent a period of rapid growth and development. It had started off with former members of the Royal Malaysian Navy, who were mobilised to form the nucleus of the fledgling force. The following year saw the SNVF boost its numbers to 89 mobilised personnel and 278 volunteer officers and men. Some were women from the Singapore Women's Auxiliary Naval Service (or SWANS), which had been formed in 1957. On 5 May 1967, the Singapore Naval White Ensign was hoisted with pride, signalling that Singapore finally had a navy to call its own. There was no looking back from then on, as it embarked on a gradual upgrading of its equipment, personnel and facilities. From the two ships in 1966, it subsequently grew into a modern force, and officially was renamed the “Republic of Singapore Navy” in April 1975.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force also has very modest beginnings. In 1968, the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was formed. It started with eight Cessna 172-H aircraft to train its pilots, and by 1970 Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft had been added to the fleet. When the British forces were withdrawn in 1971, Tengah, Seletar, Sembawang and Changi airbases were entrusted to the SADC. SADC became the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975.
The Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID) initially oversaw both internal and external defence, but as the defence structure grew and the work became more defined, it separated into two specialised ministries. Thus, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were formed in 1970.
When the SAF first started in the 1960s, the most urgent focus for what we now call the 1st Generation SAF was to provide for Singapore's basic defence. The 2nd Generation SAF, from the early 80s to late 90s, saw the upgrading and modernising of our Army, Navy and Air Force. Post-9/11, there was a shift in the security landscape, which widened to include non-conventional threats such as terrorism and piracy.
Resource constraints and the emergence of advanced warfighting technologies also drove the SAF to rethink our development trajectory. To meet new security challenges effectively, the SAF embarked on a 3rd Generation transformation journey in 2004 and continues today to upgrade its capabilities into an advanced networked force.
Today, the SAF is respected as a strong and professional armed forces. The SAF has developed leading-edge capabilities, networked together as an integrated fighting system. -
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Total Defence (or TD) is the name of Singapore's comprehensive defence strategy, adapted from countries like Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria.
It is based on the understanding that besides military action, aggressors can also defeat the country by wrecking its economic systems, tearing its social fabric apart, targeting Singaporeans' beliefs and commitment to defence, and its ability to recover from disasters, both natural and man-made.
The Total Defence concept encompasses five key aspects – military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence – and focuses on the need for each Singaporean to play his or her part to defend the nation. These five aspects are very similar to the "4 Defences" of the Austrian "Comprehensive National Defense" (Umfassende Landesverteidigung) strategy of 1975.
The Five Aspects
"Military Defence" consists of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), including its citizen soldiers.[1] Their mission is to "enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor". As part of the mission, the SAF strives to maintain a high state of operational readiness 24/7.
"Civil Defence" is about ensuring Singaporeans know what to do in times of an emergency. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) supports this aspect of Total Defence. However, if Singapore encounters a nation-wide emergency (e.g.: terrorism act or war), the SCDF will not be able to cope with the demands of the situation. Hence, it is crucial to rope in Singaporeans to help their fellow Singaporeans. To facilitate this, the SCDF recruits and trains civil defence volunteers in first aid, rescue and evacuation procedures, and shelter management.
"Economic Defence" is defined as maintaining the economy of the country and its ability to compete in the world, as well as environmental protection.[1] It also involves helping Singapore (and Singaporeans) stay relevant in the global economy and putting in place economic systems to ensure that the Singapore economy does not collapse in times of crisis.
"Social Defence" is about keeping the social fabric strong and ensuring that Singaporeans live in harmony regardless of race or religion.[1] This is especially important because Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society.
"Psychological Defence" is about loyalty, commitment to Singapore, and having the will power and resilience to overcome challenges.[1] This is the component that would determine if Singaporeans will stay to fight or abandon the country when it is in trouble.
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HAHA
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Originally posted by FireIce:
HAHA
Ho chio meh!??
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Originally posted by Ash1324:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/abolish-national-service-in-singapore
Please sign this petition with regards to the need to rethink of the defence system in Singapore. The conscription-based army in Singapore made sense when the nation just gained independence almost half a century ago. Now, in 2013, I believe that Singapore is now capable to supporting a professional army for peacetime defence, where it is not compulsory for males to serve 2 years in NS, ESPECIALLY considering that since 2000, almost 20 countries have abolished conscription. A system similar to the UK's should be considered. In present times of geo-politics, 2 years can create a very large disadvantage for citizens in terms of education and careers, especially if they are not given a say in opting out of conscription.I hope that serious consideration is given to major changes in the defence system in Singapore, and not just minor tweaks that may not be effective in the long-run.TS write till so "sat kee". If it is not compulsory, would you volunteer to serve?!
Compare apple w apple please, how big is UK compared to SG?!
U really are slapping yourself, you say set up professional army but you know your fellow country man all want to be bankers, lawyers, doctors then who serve?!
TS, please list the 20 countries who have abolished conscription to widen my dim knowledge -
Protecting our way of life
Introduced in 1984, the concept of Total Defence (TD) was adapted from the experiences of countries like Switzerland and Sweden. As a young nation with a small population and a conscript armed forces, we needed to draw on the different strengths and abilities of our community to augment our defence capability.
Conflicts between countries are no longer just military in nature. Potential aggressors and threats can appear in less obvious and non-conventional ways (e.g., destroying social cohesion by exploiting differences in race, language, religion, culture, social or economic class; weakening national resilience by using psychological warfare to play on the people’s fears and apprehensions; or waging economic warfare through economic boycotts, trade sanctions or acts of sabotage to bring down the economy). Total Defence provides the framework for a comprehensive and integrated response to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. Whether it is a security threat such as global terrorism, or a national crisis like SARS, Total Defence brings together all relevant government agencies, private sector organisations and all Singaporeans in a coordinated effort to deal effectively with these threats and challenges. When Singaporeans take personal responsibility for and get involved in the defence of Singapore, they are playing their part to help keep Singapore safe and secure.
Total Defence has five aspects - Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence. These five aspects represent the key sectors of society. They also help Singaporeans understand how they can be involved. When we take National Service seriously, volunteer in civil defence exercises, help build a strong economy, strengthen community ties with one another regardless of race and religion, and stay committed to defend the country, we are doing something in every sector of our society to strengthen Singapore's resilience as a nation.
The five arrows in the logo represent the five aspects of Total Defence: Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence.
The arrows point in the same upward direction. This signifies concerted effort towards a common objective of safeguarding the progress and future of Singapore.
The logo's outline is significant because:
It is, firstly, the outline of a hand, symbolising action and representing unity and completeness. Total Defence is deficient if any of the five "fingers" is missing.
Secondly, the logo is in the shape of a house, and symbolises Singapore as our homeland. With Total Defence, the security of our homeland is therefore safeguarded.
The tagline "It's personal. Play your part." in its handwritten format emphasises the personal nature of and involvement in Total Defence, reminding Singaporeans that they have a part to play in the defence of Singapore. The rounder edges of the logo give it a softer feel, reflecting the personal stake in Total Defence and encouraging Singaporeans to embrace Total Defence in their daily lives.
The crescent and five stars, and the colours of red and white, are elements from the National Flag. They represent nationhood. Total Defence brings Singaporeans together as one people.
Taken as a whole, the logo symbolises all Singaporeans doing what they can in Total Defence to ensure peace and security for the future.
Why NS?
NS was introduced in 1967, just 2 years after Singapore’s independence to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.
We are a 'little red dot'.With a population of 4.4 million and a land of 699 square km, Singapore is amongst the 20 smallest countries in the world. Singapore is too small to change the world. Instead, we must adapt as the world changes around us.
Importance of NS
We must be able to defend Singapore ourselves. No one else is responsible for our security and we cannot depend on others to come to our defence.
Our defence is predicated on deterrence. That is why we invest heavily and consistently in building up a strong defence force to provide that deterrence.
At the same time, we seek to be friends with as many countries as possible in the region and beyond. By having friends who can help us in our times of need, we enhance our security.
Need for NS
NS is our only viable option to building up a credible defence force to ensure our survival. A conscription force by law which obliges all eligible people to enlist would create a sizeable standing force ready to guarantee our security.
The SAF maintains itself in a high state of operational readiness at all times so that it is able to react swiftly to any threat.
To meet the defence challenges in the 21st century, the SAF is upgrading and transforming itself into a highly sophisticated, well-integrated fighting force.
The Third Generation SAF will be a network-centric organisation. Our forces will be interconnected, equipped with electronic information systems, and be able to fight cooperatively, and in an integrated manner, on land, in the air and on the sea.
Within the nation itself, the SPF upholds the law and maintains order, keeping the streets safe for family and friends.
And in case of any crisis or emergency, such as a major accident or a terrorist attack, the SCDF will be there to rescue and save the lives of fellow citizens.
All together, the SAF, SPF and SCDF play a key role in Singapore’s Total Defence—Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence.
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Croatia, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Lebanon, Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia, South Africa, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania. Note that Bosnia, Croatia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Albania, Macednoia all abolished conscription and their population is similar to ours. Some of the countries are also located in the Middle East, where conflict is still occuring. If the government take steps to make a military career interesting as opposed to making it mandatory for all males, not only will more people be interested in their jobs, but when people are happy with their job, they tend to serve better too.
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And to add on (Sorry i pressed save to quickly), this is for peacetime defences. Most countries have retired conscription due to the peace that we have currently. To prevent misunderstandings, I was referring to peacetime defences for conscription, should war break out again, conscription can be enforced again. Most countries globally follow this procedure nowadays and rely on volunteer armies during peacetime.
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen led a delegation comprising members from the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) on a visit to Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 to study its conscription system. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
During the visit, Dr Ng met with Finnish Minister of Defence Carl Haglund, State Secretary to the Minister of Defence Marcus Rantala, Permanent Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General Arto Räty, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen, and Chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Defence Committee Jussi Niinistö. Dr Ng's visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Finland.
The delegation was briefed on Finland's security and defence policy, and its conscription system. The delegation noted that public support for conscription in Finland is high. In a survey conducted in 2012, more than 70% of the public supported the conscription system. The delegation also learnt more about the voluntary military service available to women since 1995. Each year, about 400 Finnish women are accepted as volunteer military conscripts.
The delegation visited the Finnish Armoured Brigade in Parolannummi to learn more about basic, vocational and leadership training for military conscripts. The delegation was also briefed on how conscripts' aptitudes and preferences are taken into consideration for deployment. During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to interact with conscripts and witnessed their rigorous training.
At the end of the visit, Dr Ng highlighted that "even though Singapore's security and domestic landscape is different from Finland, it is useful to study the conscription system of Finland and learn from their experiences. Like Singapore, Finland guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past. Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose. It has been a meaningful trip for the CSNS delegation as we consider how to build on the strong public support for National Service in Singapore by expanding opportunities for the broader community to contribute to national defence, and optimise the contributions of national servicemen."
The visit is part of the CSNS' effort to study best practices in other countries as it examines measures to strengthen NS in Singapore. The delegation is currently in Switzerland studying its conscription system.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who led a CSNS delegation to study conscription systems, was in Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 and in Switzerland from 17 to 18 October 2013. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
While in Switzerland, Dr Ng was hosted by and met President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Ueli Maurer. He also met Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces Lieutenant General (LG) André Blattmann and Commander of the Swiss Air Force LG Aldo Schellenberg. The visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Switzerland.
The delegation was briefed on the Swiss conscription system. It was noted that Switzerland has enjoyed peace for more than two hundred years and there continues to be strong public support for conscription. The delegation also learnt how the Swiss Armed Forces strengthens employers' support for conscription through various engagement activities, which allow the employers to better appreciate how military training develops the individual and brings value to their companies.
The delegation visited Payerne Air Base and was briefed on how conscripts support the operations of the air base. The delegation also interacted with Swiss reservists on their annual refresher training and learnt how they maintained their military skills and technical competencies.
Speaking at the end of the trip, Dr Ng said, "The Swiss take great pride in their conscription system which has maintained their neutrality and independence and receives strong support through the generations. The Swiss Armed Forces has an efficient conscript training system which takes into consideration conscripts' abilities, motivation and aptitude during the assignment of military vocations. Women can also volunteer for conscription. The CSNS will review the lessons learnt and consider ways to optimise the contributions of our servicemen."
The third phase of public consultation by the CSNS will involve discussion of proposals in more detail. Members of the public who wish to participate can find out more at www.strengthenNS.sg. -
As DEFENCE policymakers here consider roping in more female volunteers, Singapore is looking at its European counterparts to learn how they get women to do their part for defence.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen is leading a delegation on a visit to Finland and Switzerland to study their conscription system.
On the team are senior Defence Ministry officials and members of the high-level Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS), including Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman and MP for Nee Soon GRC Lim Wee Kiak.
On his visit to Finland which began on Wednesday, Dr Ng called on his counterpart, Mr Carl Haglund and other top-level defence officials, including the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen.
Mindef said in a statement yesterday that the delegation was briefed on Finland's defence policy and conscription system, including the Finnish voluntary military service for women.Since the volunteer scheme started in 1995, about 400 Finnish women are drafted each year. A 2012 survey showed more than 70 per cent of Finns support compulsory national service. During its visit to the Finnish Armoured Brigade, the delegation saw how soldiers were trained and was briefed on how the military matched their aptitudes and preferences to their vocations.
The visit is part of efforts by the CSNS to canvass feedback on its area of concern. Proposals will be submitted to the Government early next year.
Dr Ng said it was useful to learn from Finland's experience, as it, like Singapore, "guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past". "Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose." -
Originally posted by Ash1324:
Croatia, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Lebanon, Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia, South Africa, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany, France, Italy, Lithuania. Note that Bosnia, Croatia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Albania, Macednoia all abolished conscription and their population is similar to ours. Some of the countries are also located in the Middle East, where conflict is still occuring. If the government take steps to make a military career interesting as opposed to making it mandatory for all males, not only will more people be interested in their jobs, but when people are happy with their job, they tend to serve better too.
TS, if you dun realise, the EUROPEAN countries are under EU rules... means no one is mad enough to invade them in addition having US troops in EUROPEAN soil...
Most of the countries you list are in EUR, if not they are former Russian republics under USSR in which Russia still has some influence and have troops stationed there as a standby force
They have a professional army as an alternative career path and nationalism/pride is high in their countries.
Will SGreans sign on with SAF in the first place even if pay is high, good carrer prospects?!
ANSWER IS NO coz SGreans are REALISTIC coz SAF start to retire WOSEs in their 40s, Officers in their 50s.
Most of the professionals working outside get their highest pay package, rank at this age.
Even if SG becomes professional force and use UAVs, USVs or robots to fight, there is still a need for people to control these, evaluate and make a decision which cannot be done via AI. Taiwan government is regretting now after ending conscription coz there are not enough people to fill the ranks no matter what pay/benefits that are given
Seriously, if you really want to siam NS, go see specialist lah -
Originally posted by Ash1324:
Yes definitely, but the main thing that I'm not too happy with is the fact that it has become mandatory with no way to opt out whatsoever. I understand that if MINDEF were to provide such an option, there may be an issue of majority of the population not wanting to serve, but like you said if the military was interesting maybe more people will be willing to serve without the 'compulsory' labelling? And as part of human rights, I feel that during peacetime we should all be entitled to conscientious objections.
Already mentioned, if you want to NOT SERVE at all:
1. Leave SG and never come back
2. See specialist to downgrade
3. Change nationality
Human rights have no place in times of war, if you still do not get it, soldiers are needed even in peacetime for:
1. HADR operations in SG/overseas
2. NDP parade(lame)
3. Huge amount of personnel can be deployed at the shortest time, look at how your N95 masks are distributed during the haze in June.
You want to be maximise time during NS and be on par with female students same age or PRs who are free-riding on SG males providing security by doing NS, study part time degree lor, tell your CO if he let you book out attend class. -
Military training is always interesting depending on how you look at it...
Look at the hardware, software and the camadarie you will get and enjoy when you suffer, enjoy together with your buddies.
Unless you experience it, you will juz complain and complain like Recruit Ken "I hate the army" -
Sorry if im making a comparision to a european country again, but in this case i feel that it is a valid response.
(Note that this is for peacetime):
The UK has a 410 180 strong army, where 205 330 are professional soldiers (the 'stronger' soldiers), while 181 720 are reserved soldiers (the 'older' soldiers, or are able to mobilise when necessary). In Singapore, we have a 522 800 strong army, where 72 500 are professionals (half of which are the conscripted people), 356 500 are reserved and 93 800 are parliamentary (armed units not considered part of military forces).
Since this is peacetime, we can consider having a 400 000 strong army, where 60 000 are professionals (no conscription), 250 000 are reserves, and 90 000 are parilamentary. The 100 000 from the reserves can go to the salaries of the extra 30 000 professionals. This would firstly reduce the number of people required as soldiers(more technology to help compared to the past), and secondly since many citizens are engineers and computer programmers, can work as those in the army, developing the military tech for the nation. These less physically demanding jobs can be offered to the slightly more mature males, or females. I'll send this first so I can hear your opinion.
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After over 40 years, National Service is now woven tightly into the fabric of our nation. As we look to the future, to maintain if not strengthen this commitment to NS, we asked Singaporeans for their views and ideas.
From May to August 2013, over 10,000 participants responded with their feedback and suggestions on NS to the website (www.strengthenNS.sg), through emails or attended focus group discussions. They came from different walks of life and included operationally-ready national servicemen, full-time national servicemen, regular servicemen, parents, women, grassroots volunteers, employers, students and members of the public.
In this section, we sum up their conversations which affirm that NS is necessary and critical to Singapore’s security and prosperity. We want to thank all participants for the many lively discussions on their NS experience, the practical suggestions on what could be improved, and good ideas on what should be strengthened so that NS remains meaningful for the future generation.
Four broad themes covering a range of insights and perspectives have emerged:
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In the last few months, we held a first phase of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) where different people came together to share their experiences with NS, the strengths of NS and areas to be strengthened, as well as their aspirations for NS. We thank our participants for taking the time to share their ideas and experiences.
For Phase 2 of the FGDs, more specific discussions were carried out on these following topics.
Registration for Phase 2 of the Focus Group Discussions has ended. We thank you for your interest! The summaries of the sessions can be found here.
If you were unable to join any of the sessions, we welcome you to share your views at our online feedback form.
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My views on NS service is conscript females for non combat service and try to find a way to reduce NS to 1.5 years.
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Originally posted by Ash1324:
If the entire of Singapore has to go through conscription in our lifetime, we would be very far behind every other country on education and careers, which will hurt Singapore in terms of growth and appeal to international companies.
I doubt it will make it worst. Under current system, everywhere you go there are foreigners taking over jobs already.
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Originally posted by Ash1324:
Sorry if im making a comparision to a european country again, but in this case i feel that it is a valid response.
(Note that this is for peacetime):
The UK has a 410 180 strong army, where 205 330 are professional soldiers (the 'stronger' soldiers), while 181 720 are reserved soldiers (the 'older' soldiers, or are able to mobilise when necessary). In Singapore, we have a 522 800 strong army, where 72 500 are professionals (half of which are the conscripted people), 356 500 are reserved and 93 800 are parliamentary (armed units not considered part of military forces).
Since this is peacetime, we can consider having a 400 000 strong army, where 60 000 are professionals (no conscription), 250 000 are reserves, and 90 000 are parilamentary. The 100 000 from the reserves can go to the salaries of the extra 30 000 professionals. This would firstly reduce the number of people required as soldiers(more technology to help compared to the past), and secondly since many citizens are engineers and computer programmers, can work as those in the army, developing the military tech for the nation. These less physically demanding jobs can be offered to the slightly more mature males, or females. I'll send this first so I can hear your opinion.
Numbers do not justify the need to end conscription, you do not seem to know where SG is located...
I also noticed that the way you type in this forum really reminds me of government civil servants who are trying to entice opinion or to seek opinion.
Your posts are standard government replies to queries from SG citizens.
USVs, UAVs or watever robotics cannot beat a human being on the ground.
How did UAVs catch war criminals in countries, Delta Force, SEALs, SAS are on the ground...
Really, this petition thing looks sneakily like a "Strengthen NS" thingy that is going on in months...
Statistics given by you reveal who you actually are, only technocrats from the gahmen type like tt, trying to engage SGreans is one thing, sounding and acting like a gahmen civil servant fishing for comments in SGF is another... -
Originally posted by Ash1324:
I understand that most of us have doubts on changes to our current system, but MINDEF will have to do something if a lot of us feel that it is time for them to AT LEAST think of a better system.
Lastly, if you want to make noise and be heard, write DIRECT to minister of defence.
if you dare not, you can send feedback via www.reach.gov.sg
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Back in 1967, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's pitch to the nation for conscription was: "It will take many years - perhaps five, perhaps seven, perhaps 10 years - before we can get the whole machine into gear. But in the end, every boy and girl here will understand that what he or she has in Singapore, he or she must be prepared to fight and defend. Otherwise, it will be lost."
It seems that the country's first defence minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, was prescient when, in asking Parliament to pass the National Service Bill in 1967, he said: "Nothing creates loyalty and national consciousness more speedily and more thoroughly than participation in defence and membership of the armed forces."