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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...

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!