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Happy SAF Day all Singaporean son! Let be proud that we have done our part in serving our nation. To commemorate NS55, The Straits Times ART Department has illustrated a cartoon for the Straits Times NS55 contest. Let have some fun while recalling the unique experience we had during our NS days. Standby bed in Parade Square is a norm during my era, while the snake queue for coin phone, survival training, "Merlion" (after a water parade), blanket party, sniper, signaller, demo man, engineers, etc. are missing from this illustration. Those were the days...

It is safe to say that one way or another, the majority of Singaporean men have served their country. Be it sleeping in the jungles of Mandai, walking the beat on the streets of Clarke Quay on New Year’s Eve, or putting out fires (literally) clad in heavy protective gear, most local and naturalised male citizens have given up, as the song goes, “two years of our time”. But many have differing views of National Service. Some see it as a hindrance, a waste of time. Some see it as an opportunity to get fit and test their limits via command school. Some prefer simply going through the motions, doing whatever their superiors tell them to. Me? I reasoned to myself that since I’m going to have to do it anyway, I might as well go in with an open mind and seek enjoyment in wherever CMPB decides to throw me. Who says you can't hear pictures? The sounds are embedded in my memory for life. Finding diamonds in the rough Did I have a good time? In a manner of speaking, yes. I forged lifelong friendships, I probably hit my peak fitness (getting thrown into a “chiongsua” vocation will do that to you), and I came out with the mantra that whatever else I may face in the future, it can’t be as bad as trying to get some sleep in a torrential downpour in the Lorong Asrama vegetation, soaking wet and desperately shielding my weapon with my body to prevent potential rusting. And on the first night of a five-day exercise too. There is truth too, in what your seniors would presumably have told you before you enlisted: You will definitely see all manners and types of people in the service. Hearing of the different stereotypes and seeing them with my own eyes definitely made for a humorous experience, especially during BMT. Don't judge a book by its cover There was the stereotypical “JC kid” recruit who was presumably sheltered and pampered for his entire life. He who struggled with simple chores like straightening his bedsheets (because Maria or Mama would do it for him), sweeping the floor of his bunk (I have literally heard, with my own ears, someone say that he did not know how to do it because he had never done so in his whole life), or propping two mattresses against each other in an upside-down V-shape. To give some context for the last example, my BMT company was tasked with sunning our mattresses in the courtyard on a particularly hot day. The obvious solution was to prop two of them against each other at an angle (like a tepee) and it would hold. We watched the other platoon (of which 95% were JC kids) stack them up like dominoes and struggled to understand why they kept falling over, creating a chain effect. That day, I learned that common sense was, in fact, not so common after all. My first day was a mixture of nerves and curiosity. And it is true what they say, that you struggle to sleep on your first night. I only managed to sleep for two hours. There was the stereotypical “poly kid” who would poke the cauldron of patience to see how far he could go with his bulls**t, who would usually follow orders but attempt to find an easier way to go about it. And the stereotypical “ITE kid” who would cuss a mean streak, go against his superiors, and usually did whatever they wanted. Of course, these are just stereotypes and not a generalisation. Most people whom I’ve had the pleasure or disdain of crossing paths with generally did not fit these stereotypes, save for a select few. And of course, last but not least, the “chaogeng warrior”. Every unit will have at least one such person, I guarantee it. He who possessed skin thicker than a rhino’s hide, he who knew full well what he was doing and what he could get away with, and he who spent more time at the doctor’s listing off ailments like a seasoned hypochondriac than in camp. My unit had one such person who, from the first day till the last, “chaogeng-ed” to an extent that I only ever had a conversation with him once, at the smoking corner. I now consider it a feat that in a “chiongsua” vocation like mine, he managed to avoid any and every physical training from the first day, for a duration of close to 20 months. He never even marched with us to the cookhouse once. I got the chance to learn how to ride a motorbike during my service. By now, you may have guessed what my vocation was. IYKYK. My takeaways (extra 30 cents) I did enjoy my time in the armed forces, to an extent. I did not like the constant once or twice-a-month weekend guard duties (my constant gripe was that there already was a specific vocation for it, yet we were forced to do either a full or half-day guard duty, on top of being physically exhausted from training the whole day). I bitched and whined like any true Singaporean would (how could I not?). I always tested the waters to try and make life more bearable (but I never did anything that would affect my bookouts, that was my threshold). But I came away a better person. My quick temper mellowed, I learned the value of discipline and patience, and I started to take my future a lot more seriously. All in all, I only enjoyed my National Service because of the attitude I decided to go in with. For all that’s being said of it being a waste of time, logically speaking, it’s something one has to do anyway, so why not try and enjoy it as much as possible? It’s only a waste of time if one deems it to be. ~ Fremont (Images by The Singapore Army)

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nsmen-get-higher-monthly-base-pay-least-s1600-during-ict-including-unemployed-1833676 ns for sinkie job for ft seems real local born and breed 2nd class ft first recent poll about singaporean willing to defend sg vs naturalised ones we have no where to return but naturalised one can balik kampung sad but true feeling like a foreigner in own home

16-year-old student writes ST forum letter saying women should do NS to boost S'pore's birth rate "We can boost Singapore's birth rate by making it compulsory for women to serve national service alongside men," 16-year-old student Wang Lixin wrote in a Straits Times (ST) forum letter. The letter, titled "Voices of youth: Let women serve National Service to help raise birth rates", suggested that women should serve NS. One reason given was that it would increase the size of our defence force. Another main reason: birth rates. In the letter, Wang explained that women will interact with men during national service, and this would enable relationships to be forged. Although not explicitly stated, it is implied that these relationships would then result in marriages and offspring at some point. Wang also added that the approach of having both men and women serve NS in Israel has been "effective", with their birth rate of 20 births per 1,000 people for a population of around nine million. Singapore, however, has 8.5 births per 1,000 people for a population of 5.69 million.

An interesting insight into the eyes of Expat kids serving their NS. Hard to imagine living in Singapore and yet not made a single local friend. If you have 10 mins of time while drinking kopi in office, it's worth a read. http://ricemedia.co/culture-people-expat-kids-national-service-culture-shock/

Taken from https://sg.news.yahoo.com/new-zealand-based-teen-with-singapore-passport-075121551.html An 19-year-old who currently holds both New Zealand and Singapore citizenship and lives in New Zealand wants to avoid doing national service (NS). Brandon Smith could face a two-year jail term and a $10,000 fine if he does not enlist. Smith, 19, moved to Dunedin when he was eight years old. The son of a New Zealander father and Singaporean mother told New Zealand media that it was a “waste of time” to go back to Singapore and come back. He was also concerned that he does not speak Chinese and would be treated differently in the army,reported New Zealand’s stuff.co.nz. Smith cannot renounce his Singapore citizenship until he turns 21. Smith’s father said they had spoken with Singapore Members of Parliament about the issue for a number of years, to no avail. He was quoted as saying, “Absolutely no one would accommodate us. It was always the same answer; ‘we regret to inform you that Brandon has to serve National Service’,”. New Zealand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Murray McCully said he intended to take up the matter. He said in a statement to New Zealand’s Sunday Star Times, “While the Singapore Government is responsible for determining their own citizenship policies, I have considerable sympathy for the situation this family has found themselves in,” Readers who commented on on stuff.co.nz were divided, but a number of them said Smith should just return to Singapore to complete NS. A few readers were also quick to point out that the language of instruction in the army is English, and that Smith need not fear having a language barrier if he were to enlist. I guess there are still people who thinks NS is too tough.........

I saw this from another forum. TBH, I don't know whether to laugh or to cry when I read the portion that says medishield helped him defrayed some cost in the HIV treatment medication. But then, he claimed to be able to serve NS upon request although he has contracted AIDS. http://pozboysg.tumblr.com/post/28630808700/dereks-story-my-life-with-hiv-as-a-student Hello, I am Derek, 19 this year and in my final year of my course of study at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. I was diagnosed HIV positive in November last year and it was my first ever HIV test. On that day, Actions For AIDS (AFA) was having an anonymous HIV test booth at a local gay bathhouse and I happened to be there at the same time. I’ve always wanted to take a HIV test but due to financial constraints, I shelved the idea aside. Without much hesitation, I proceeded on with the test. The test kit needed about an hour to generate results, so I left the bathhouse to attend another appointment in the meantime. They provided me with a number to call and check my result. I made the call about an hour later. I was really scared. The fear of hearing that I’m positive. While the phonecall was still waiting to be answered, I was hoping silently inside that it would be a negative result. I remember clearly how the conversation went, and the AFA volunteer asked if I could meet them in person. Those words really got me panicking. The suspense was killing me. It got me thinking, “Why is he asking me to meet him? Is my result really positive?” so I asked, “What’s my result?” and he then replied, “It’s positive.” I really couldn’t believe what I heard when they broke the news to me, my only reply was, “Orh.” It was a mixture of shock and surprise. That was the only word I could muster. * I never planned to disclose my status to my family. Unfortunately though, when I was out one night, my parents decided to peer into my bag. They found 3 bottles of my HIV medication and even went to the extent of doing some online research! My father approached me calmly when I went home and asked me about the medication. The first two questions my Dad asked were, "Can it be transmitted through saliva?" and "Can mosquito bites transmit the virus too?" I wouldn’t say that they are fully supportive of my status and I do understand where they are coming from, since they do not have much knowledge about HIV/AIDS. They even wanted to inform my siblings about my HIV. But with me insisted on not letting my siblings know, for fear maybe they would feel very sad. Thankfully, my parents acceded to my request. Things have changed slightly after my fateful disclosure to my family members. I used to always be informed of dinnertime with family but on one occasion, my family even started having dinner without asking if I wanted to join in, in spite of reaching home a little early. It’s never been the case. Because of the issue, I had a small talk with Dad last week. He claimed that he’s perfectly fine with my status, so I’d assume the person he was talking about is my stepmother (my Dad remarried) who wasn’t really okay with my HIV status and rather worried that I might accidentally transmit the virus to her children. Not too long ago, my parents even forbade me to place my chopsticks in my mouth if I’m sharing dishes with people. My Dad claimed that he had asked people around him and they told him that you can contract HIV through saliva and sharing food. I believe this is the stigma that HIV positive Singaporeans are facing still. And however hard I tried and how many times I have told him that it is a HIV Myth, it just can’t make him understand. I tell you this sad turn of events because I feel very strongly about this issue, and I really hope things will change for the better. My advice to those who have recently tested positive for HIV is DO NOT ever tell your family members; if you do, be prepared for the worst, things will never be the same again. * I have the habit of pouring out my grievances and woes to my dearest friends whenever I am unhappy, with the hope of finding solace, support and understanding from them. Indeed, they never disappoint me. My friends are very supportive and always give me encouragement to persevere in life. I feel really blessed to have them as my confidantes. * I started my HIV anti-retroviral medication about 3 months ago. I was really scared initially whether I would be able to cope with the financial burden as well as the side-effects of the medications. The first week after I started was a little tough. There was this ‘hangover’ feeling that I’d get the next morning which would last all the way until the evening. I must say that I was very lucky to experience minimal side effects. My first line HIV medications are Efavirenz, Tenofovir and Lamivudine. CDC pharmacy prices for these medications are as such: Efavirenz (SGD $200) Lamivudine (SGD $200) Tenofovir (SGD $550) I am thankful to be a recepient of the Medifund and it helps pay for the entire cost of my medications, especially since I am a student. HIV+ young men are usually exempt from National Service responsibilities but I actually made the concious decision to serve my country. The good news is that the government would also help with the subsidies as a serviceman. I am glad to say that I have acclimatised to my medications now, though I now realise the importance of ample rest, especially as a PLHIV. * If you haven’t been tested, please do so, its bad form to only seek treatment when you start falling very sick and you are realising that something is terribly wrong. Sometimes its difficult to get back into the pink of health. And to people who have tested positive, live life to the fullest - HIV is only a small part of your life. I always tell myself, "No point crying over spilled milk. Life goes on. Dont let HIV control you. You still have your life ahead of you to lead." Be like me! Obtain a happy-go-lucky spirit. And also, don’t think too much. Whatever problems you are having, if you can, solve it. If you can’t, leave it. Or if you can, do seek help from friends who understand. Don’t be stubborn and keep all your problems to yourself. If you’re positive, I recommend you to find out more about the support group events that the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) organises every few months or so. The safe confines of the support group provides emotional and psychological support for HIV+ participants and you’re able to learn from each other and also be in the warm company of people who will most understand what you are going through. Also, you’d be able to gain a better knowledge of HIV through the events and you get to make new friends too! If you’re positive, all the more you should be positive! :)

I am sure all of us have read about the new SAF indoor live firing range that was recently launched. New indoor live-firing range for soldiers launched http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-indoor-live-firing/836414.html Shooting... now this is a topic close to my heart. I guess most of us; heck, a few hundred thousand Singaporean males, are/were soldiers at one point of time or another. Some of my fondest memories of SAF include the opportunities I had to actually get behind a variety of small arms and blast away using live rounds. Managed to fire the following weapons live, during my NSF/ORNS days: M16, P226, SAW, GPMG, Steyr Sniper Rifle, and the current SAR21. When I left the SAF after serving the requisite 2.5yrs NSF + 13 yrs ORNS... I really missed the smell of cordite and the kick of live fire. Even during the 13 years of NS, there were actually very few opportunities to fire live rounds. Mostly were just blanks during field exercises. Some years ago, I wrote into SAF with a (WITS) suggestion that we open up some firing ranges for reservists, on their own time and interest, to get the opportunity to hone their shooting skills with live ammo. If the cost of operating the ranges and the cost of ammo was too high to absorb, SAF could charge reasonable fees for the ex-servicemen to pay. Of course, this should totally voluntary on the part of the ex-servicemen. Those who were interested could participate, and no compulsion for those servicemen who just Served And F*ckedoff. If SAF was too busy - they could subcon the task to SAFRA or a private company. It is a win-win scenario - SAF would get soldiers kept in fine shooting form for FREE (assuming they passed on the costs to the reservists). Reservists would have another option for leisure activity, an opportunity to keep current and in shape with their hand-eye coordination and target practice, have fun trying out the latest weapons in the arsenal, a stress relief opportunity (heck, we could hang pictures of people we hated as Fig 11 target boards!), probably lower the number of fighting incidents outside - since we could work off our stress here. Sad to say - nobody replied to my suggestion. Well, now here is another opportunity to raise this suggestion once again. I am very sure that all live firing ranges are very busy and always in demand.. but I think it should be possible to allocate some time sharing - for example on Sat afternoons, and Sundays, and perhaps even weekday evenings after 8pm etc, if there is no official training. The system could be opened to only SAF and ex-SAF personnel if due to security restrictions, perhaps. Perhaps some ranges could even be opened to public, if possible. Of course, proper security checks could be done to ensure no psychotic chaps get hold of the weapons and ammo, and ex-servicemen could be employed as Safety officers during firing. Book lane 1 & 2, and go with some ex-platoon mates for guys nite out, and friendly competition on who's the best shot. Maybe even start a league tournament, or inter-con shooting. Heck, if it all works out - can even find shooters to represent SG in regional shoot-meets. Would you be interested in going to such a live firing range, and paying, perhaps $5-10 a session and 30 cents a round (min purchase of 30 to 50 rounds)? Could be just like going bowling, what?! Firers, watch your front! Own time, own target, carry on!