National Service is a term that describes the national policy in Singapore that requires all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents to serve a period of compulsory service in the uniformed services when they reach the age of majority, although women may also volunteer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_service_in_Singapore
Trigger
I came across an NS-related article today, It has been 10 years since I enlisted in NS.
It stirred up my long-forgotten memories and emotions. I do not remember everything, just fragments.
Details
My nickname in the army: Shaolin monk. Because I practice martial arts and I was still a vegetarian back then
BMT (basic military training) phase
My platoon mates are unfriendly, even my buddy. Being a vegetarian makes you stand out, and usually, it makes you a target, especially when we have nothing to do while trapped in camp (no smartphone, computer, etc)
Unit phase
My men don't like me, because I am from JC, while they have O'level / ITE qualifications. They think that I am elitist, but it's their inferiority complex.
I am a sergeant and I have "authority", I can issue "push-ups" as punishment, but in practice, I have no power. The men in my unit have bad PES (Physical Employment Standards) status, they can't have physical activity (aka no push-ups). They can do anything and I can't do anything about it. In theory, I should escalate to my superior. But ...
My captain doesn't like me for the same reason. He sides with the men against this JC kid.
I am the only person in our unit fit enough to do guard duty
I am the only sergeant in our unit, so I become the armory IC, managing no one since the men are all unfit & unqualify to help
As quartermaster, I am in charge of inventories, without much help since my men have "bad skin" and inventories will cause them allergies
My captain wants good performance, so he will volunteer for events.
So I am the one who does everything, with no support from the top and bottom.
For example, during a shooting range event. I have to wake up at 4+am and get all the supplies. Upload them to trucks. Then by 5+am, I have to be inside the armory to issue firearms to ~300 people. Once I finish issuing arms. I will issue a firearm to myself, close the armory, and leave with an advance party to set up while others are having their breakfast. Once the event ends at around 1 am. I have to collect, clean up and bring all the equipment back to camp. Once I put them inside the warehouse. I will open the armory for others to clean their firearm and collect it when they are done. It will usually be done by around 5+am. The whole event lasted for more than a day, and this event repeats 3-4 times a year. While my men are not involved since they are unfit for firearms. They don't bother to help.
Most of the time, I will be the last person to leave the camp. Because the office on duty will have to check the armory and confirm all firearms are accounted for.
I would say the army is the worst period of my life. It's a job that you can't quit or get fired.
2 years of my life getting peanuts allowance, without making friends make this event unproductive for me.
I learned to become self-dependent, rely on no one, and make no mistake for my enemies to exploit.
Thoughts
I disagree with NS with every bone in my body since I am anti-authority.
But if I were the government, I am not sure if I would change a thing. Singapore needs soldiers as a deterrent. Increasing soldier's allowance will be a problem unless we raise taxes, and higher taxes may cause rich people to leave. From the big picture perspective, the country's need comes 1st. And I probably won't care as much since I am the one in power, I wouldn't be getting the short end.