There's an interesting discussion going on about NS and foreign talents at Mr Wang Bakes Good Karma: Rethinking NS - Part 1
Strange that after 35 years, the issues are exactly the same. When I was balloted out and had my NS disrupted and joined the University of Spore in 1971, I was surrounded by mostly Malaysians in the U. (I was in the Engineering Faculty, and thus very few Spore girls). The kind of sentiments, resentment etc. were exactly the same as those expressed by many of Mr Wang's readers.
Reminds me of the words of a song, "Some things will never change, that's just the way it is."
Anyway, I did not participate in the discussion because I sense the generation gap is too big. Maybe some of you would like to go there join the discussion.
7 comments:
I decided not to comment because I felt the discussion was getting out of point. As usual, that kind of post seems to attract the usual nay-sayers and cynics. Don't get me wrong -- it's OK for people to express their disagreements. However, I felt calling that student "ignorant" was uncalled for.
I did not participate in the discussion because I sense the generation gap is too big.
That automatically excludes me too.
The generation gap is not too big for me. Obviously, those people who commented against NS are blind to the threat of terrorism and the recent war in the middle east. Get Real.
The structure of the SAF is *obviously* not meant to deal or cope with the terrorist threat. Yes, I agree with Chris that the terrorist threat is serious and here to stay, and that the NS system should be significantly changed to deal with it - for example, a much greater emphasis on SCDF, among other things.
Actually, towards the last few years of my reservist NS; after I completed my 13 year cycle in PDF, I was transferred from SAF to SCDF together with several old officers (mostly LTAs and CPTs). We were told that Spore was strengthening its emphasis on civil defense and we were there to hold the fort whilst they trained up more SCDF officers.
Around that time, they started to build the Civil Defense Academy in Jalan Bahar. That I estimate was about 10 years back; i.e. before Sep 11. Which means that our govt has pretty good foresight don't you think?
I think Chris' unequivocal support for NS is heartening. I am reminded of some of his rather strong language against his 'army daze' in earlier discussions
I would think that the gahmen strengthened the SCDF after the Hotel New World collapse and other industrial mishaps like the Spyros, Chun See. You think they can predict Sep 11 when even CIA and NSA could not? I don't think so.
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