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SDP’s policy paper on National Service

NgEjay

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Written by the Singapore Democrats

Introduction

National Service, or army conscription in Singapore, was first introduced in 1967 due to pressing issues such as national security after Singapore’s “forced” independence in 1965. In 1971, the British completely pulled out of Singapore. It has been 41 years since the introduction of NS.

Since then the world and Asia has changed significantly in terms of security and economic arrangements. But has Singapore’s conscription policy kept up with these changes to reflect and cope with the new geopolitical landscape?

First let us review the service that all able-bodied 18-year-old male Singaporeans have to undergo. Basic Military Training, or BMT, is the “boot camp” for all new recruits. This lasts for three months whereupon the soldier then gets posted out to other units for further specialised training.

The conscripts then serve the remainder of their two-year stint polishing up their combat skills. Following the two years of full-time service, NSmen are required (for up to 40 days a year) to serve in a part-tme capacity until they are 50 years old for commissioned officers and 40 for others.

Reduce the two-year full-time service

In an age where warfare has turned to “smart” technology, is it still logical and necessary for Singapore to insist that its National Servicemen undergo 24 months months of active, full-time service? Such a policy is rare among countries that maintain a conscription policy. Below is a list of countries with periods of full-time conscript service:

1.Austria (6 months)
2.Bolivia (12 months)
3.Brazil (9-12 months)
4.Denmark (4-12 months)
5.Estonia (8-11 months)
6.Finland (6-12 months)
7.Germany (9 months)
8.Greece (12 months)
9.Guatemala (12-24 months)
10.Moldavia (12 months)
11.Mongolia (12 months)
12.Paraguay (12-24 months)
13.Poland (9-12 months)
14.Serbia (6 months)
15.Switzerland (18-21 weeks)
16.Taiwan (12 months)
17.Tunisia (12 months)
18.Turkey (12 months)
19.Ukraine (12 months_
20.Uzbekistan (12 months)

From the above data, it can be seen that for all intents and purposes a conscript army training programme need not be as long as the one we have in Singapore. The more advance countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and Switzerland all have full-time services limited to one year and less.

Even Taiwan, which has an identifiable enemy in the form of China, limits its active service to 12 months. Only countries like South Korea and Israel have conscription periods that are longer than Singapore’s. These countries are, however, in a state of war.

Given the situation in Singapore there is no reason why we cannot employ more efficient training methods and reduce full-time NS from the present two-years to twelve months or less.

Reservist training

The current period of reserve training for NS men of up to 40 years old is also a burden on the servicemen and, by extension, the economy. Not only does the serviceman have to contend with the influx of foreigners, they are disadvantaged in terms of employment, remuneration and promotion when employers compare local men who have to be away for weeks in anyone year with foreign workers who have no such obligation.

The span of a serviceman’s reservist training should not go beyond 30 years of age. Men tend to settle down and start families around this age and job stability and carreer prospects are essential during this period. Unfair competition from foreign nationals would handicap local males and add to their already stressful lifestyles.

In addition, the human body goes into a physical decline after the age of 30. To keep our military personnel in top condition, it makes little sense in keeping men over the age of 30 in the frontline if military conflict does indeed breakout.

Increase volunteer, professional army

To compensate for the decrease in the number of active and reservist NSmen, the Singapore Armed Forces should expand volunteer army recruitment to complement the reduction in the number of conscripts.

In fact, the number of countries that have scrapped conscription are on the rise: Argentina (1994), Belgium (1994), Czech Republic (2004), France (1996), Hungary (2004), Italy (2004), Netherlands (1996), New Zealand (1972), Portugal (2004), and Spain (2001).

While Singapore may not be ready to follow suit, it would be prudent for us to reduce NSmen in favour of a professional military outfit
At the moment, NSmen are exploited for their services to glorify the PAP during National Day parades. The energy and time of these men can be put to more productive use than as entertainment for the PAP regime.

Conscientious objectors

What about people who do not believe that it is right for them to do military service due to moral, religious or ethical grounds? At the moment such conscientious objectors are charged and imprisoned for the length of their service.

In some of the countries that have compulsory military service, there is also a provision for conscientious objectors to serve in non-combat roles. There is an argument that this would open the flood gates for men to opt for non-combat positions. Such a loophole can be plugged by increasing the length of active service by, say, six months. The experiences of other countries like Germany and Sweden have not been negative in this aspect where males try to avoid combat service by claiming to be conscientious objectors.

Tranparency and openness

Obligation in Singapore seems to be a one-way street. While the Government holds the people accountable for their NS liabilities, the Ministry of Defence remains non-transparent and non-accountable in their dealings with the public.

The recent deaths of National Servicemen have opened a can of worms on training safety. In addition, the number of training fatalities and injuries are not made known to the public as a matter-of-course. The Government which compels the people to give their lives for the country are obliged to be absolutely transparent with information pertaining to safety issues. Compensation for deaths and injuries must also be reviewed and revised upwards.

The Government must also not exploit NSmen as cheap labour during major events such as the WB-IMF meeting or, possibly, the upcoming Youth Olympics. In must be remembered that the Enlistment Act was enacted for a specific purpose and any detraction from that purpose must be shunned.

Conclusion

When citizens are forced to serve in the military with the possibility of being killed if called to war, it is imperative that the government is a democratic one where citizens can hold the government accountable for its decisions and actions. Otherwise we may end up in a situation where wars are waged for the ruling elite rather than for the security and sovereignty of the nation.
 

NgEjay

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
I disagree with SDP's position on conscientious objecters. Too many people will exploit the given proposal. I mean, which combat-fit person would not want to extend his service by a mere 6 months just to be excused from combat duties?

The underlying grouse I have with NS is that it should not even be compulsory in the first place.

If you want people to defend the country, pay them for it. Any nation will always have volunteers taking up arms at the right price.
 

NgEjay

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Any major grouse I have against conscription is that it forces many people into roles that they are just not suited for. This results in a blatant misuse of manpower.

How much economic growth have we sacrificed just because we conscripted talented people into the army to serve in positions that hardly makes use a fraction of their abilities?

There is also the continuing issue of mistreatment of gays, transsexuals, etc.

Conscription is a misuse and exploitation of manpower, and an abrogation of individual rights.
 

eatshitndie

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
sg women should serve ns just like men. a comfort brigade should be created to boost the morale of troops.
 

troubledtimes

Alfrescian
Loyal
Malaysia etc cant attack us anyway! Under international law, a country may only attack another for self defense, or to pre empt a threat. How can Malaysia justify any attacks on us? WTF were the international lawyers doing when exercises were held in JB?! Sleeping?!!
 

troubledtimes

Alfrescian
Loyal
Do u expect opposition to follow PAP (buy vote) style?

Ill vote for anyone who will reduce NS liability. Besides, apart from a few paranoid hawks, everybody knows NS is wayang and eye power in the majority. That and Malaysia is like a man with a limp dick, talk about screwing you up the ass all the time, but when push comes to shove , die cock stand.
 

captainxerox

Alfrescian
Loyal
Malaysia etc cant attack us anyway! Under international law, a country may only attack another for self defense, or to pre empt a threat. How can Malaysia justify any attacks on us? WTF were the international lawyers doing when exercises were held in JB?! Sleeping?!!

all you need is a crazy government there and reason not to attack us is thrown out of the window. :smile:
 

hillary888

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: SDP’s policy paper on National Service

sg women should serve ns just like men. a comfort brigade should be created to boost the morale of troops.

You are worst than the Japanese...

National Service is good and best way to instil national unity, patriotism and discipline among the young generation of Singaporeans, which is very low at the moment.
 

guavatree

Alfrescian
Loyal
NS has been around for ages. is this SDP's idea or ngejay?



Gay indecent acts:

Penal Code Section 377A states, “Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.”

Cheating:

Whoever, by deceiving any person, fraudulently or dishonestly induces the person so deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to consent that any person shall retain any property, or intentionally induces the person so deceived to do or omit to do anything which he or she would not do or omit if he or she were not so deceived, and which act or omission causes or is likely to cause damage or harm to that person in body, mind, reputation or property, is said to "cheat". For example, A cheats if he intentionally deceives Z into a belief that A means to repay any money that Z may lend to him when A does not intend to repay it, and thereby dishonestly induces Z to lend him money. Cheating is punished with imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine, or both.

Father bashing:

Voluntarily causing hurt – A person causes hurt when he or she causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person. Whoever does any act with the intention of causing hurt to any person, or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause hurt to any person, and does cause hurt to any person, voluntarily causes hurt. The penalty for voluntarily causing hurt is imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to S$1,000, or both.

Theft of Temple Funds:

Theft is committed when a person, intending to take dishonestly any movable property out of the possession of any person without that person’s consent, moves that property in order to effect the taking. The penalty for theft is imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine, or both. It is more common, however, for offenders to be charged with committing theft in a building, tent or vessel, which is used as a human dwelling, or for the custody of property. The penalty for this more serious offense is imprisonment of up to seven years, and also a fine.
 

guavatree

Alfrescian
Loyal
NS has been around for ages. is this SDP's idea or ngejay?

bo lumpar dared not pick up phone call

got to ask your old mama to do it for you

then ran and hide under your old mama's skirt and lau sai!

you got someone knock at your bedroom window you ran and hide

under your old mama's skirt also!

bo lumpar you ask your old mama to dial mata chu

choa ah kwa bo lumpar ... LOL
 

guavatree

Alfrescian
Loyal
wow!! failo my lil brotr ...noanged up to harrs the mother.uly gentleme)

did you ask your PAP mp baey to widen the longkang at Blk 171 Stirling Road to accommodate your diabetic fat and ugly corpse when you jump from the 9th storey .... LOL
 

troubledtimes

Alfrescian
Loyal
all you need is a crazy government there and reason not to attack us is thrown out of the window. :smile:

They may be crazy, but lazy as well.

Dont forget, satan's greatest virtue is that he is hardworking.

Besides, the UN is obliged to send troops if there was unfair aggression.
 

gbomega

Alfrescian
Loyal
They may be crazy, but lazy as well.

Dont forget, satan's greatest virtue is that he is hardworking.

Besides, the UN is obliged to send troops if there was unfair aggression.

Stinkapore got nothing to fight for no natural resources at all... Japanese conquered her only for its shipping location. Surprisingly unlike what is reported in textbooks, some people are happy living under Japanese regime.
 
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