Singapore Expats

Just wondering why so many parents and others are so negative about national service in Singapore, is it so bloody boring or what?

Also can one volunteer for regular serviice say 3 years, get better pay and more benefits, education, sport activities?

I spent 15 years of my life in service and i don't regret it, but i do look back and regret, that human life is expendable, for the face of governments and politicians.

No matter what state, Country or land, people will die, in vain! While the top rankers get pay rises and promotions, along with fat pensions. The family of the dead may get a flag, and the standard pay out, whatever that may be, these days!

But looking at the institutionalised discipline, and being able to ride it out for 2 or 3 years, especially for a none active duty Country, is not a bad experience.

Work experience, endurance trg, discipline, and character building, and the chance to develop and use ones initiative, is an opportuity to prove oneself, gain respect, show respect, and understand the word of team building and confidence.

To actually pay for a course in self development, leadership skills survival, and man management, would cost a small fortune, only to find out that many would fail, without the proper skills, to pass.

One may have the opportunities to learn more skills, and continue education and sports if interested. and it's all free.

More important are the skills of man management, and leadership, which will endow these individuals, for civvy street. So I am really a little surprised parents and youngsters, wish to avoid NS.

Anyone care to enlighten me?

They don't really offer a regular service term of 3-5 years anymore. Last I heard it was a minimum of 10 years for a spec. and 12 for officers. Guess they have too many people signing-on that they can pick and choose instead of vice-versa (which was the case about 5 years ago).

Pinky wrote:They don't really offer a regular service term of 3-5 years anymore. Last I heard it was a minimum of 10 years for a spec. and 12 for officers. Guess they have too many people signing-on that they can pick and choose instead of vice-versa (which was the case about 5 years ago).

Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

ksl wrote:

Pinky wrote:They don't really offer a regular service term of 3-5 years anymore. Last I heard it was a minimum of 10 years for a spec. and 12 for officers. Guess they have too many people signing-on that they can pick and choose instead of vice-versa (which was the case about 5 years ago).

Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

That includes all groups of servicemen.

ksl wrote:

Pinky wrote:They don't really offer a regular service term of 3-5 years anymore. Last I heard it was a minimum of 10 years for a spec. and 12 for officers. Guess they have too many people signing-on that they can pick and choose instead of vice-versa (which was the case about 5 years ago).

Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

Well, you have to consider that fact that many locals are leaving singapore (either to emigrate or for work), so they need to constantly train individuals.

Pinky wrote:

ksl wrote:

Pinky wrote:They don't really offer a regular service term of 3-5 years anymore. Last I heard it was a minimum of 10 years for a spec. and 12 for officers. Guess they have too many people signing-on that they can pick and choose instead of vice-versa (which was the case about 5 years ago).

Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

Well, you have to consider that fact that many locals are leaving singapore (either to emigrate or for work), so they need to constantly train individuals.

What is the pay for NS, I have been told its quite good compared to civvy street, 3200 a month can that be right? If that's the case, what would a regular get for a 10 year stretch?

There's pay for NS, which is peanuts (like 400/mth) and there's pay for regulars, which is decent (as you mentioned, depending on rank of course). Don't confuse the two.

ksl wrote:
Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

Just a thought on the "CIA world Fact book".

Let's suppose the local population here (as distinct from whole population inclusive of foreign components and tourists) is 2.5 million. If half of that are female, we are left with 1.25 million males. If we subtract males under 18 yrs old or over 55 yrs old, we may be left with 0.8 million males.

If the CIA thinks that Singapore has 1 million trained people for military service, then they must have included virtually every civilian man-in-the-street that you see around you in your workplace and shopping centres who are locals. I'm not saying the CIA is wrong, just putting it into perspective.

Yes, I know women are also present in military service, but that does not change the gist of what I've said.

CIA Fact book wrote:

ksl wrote:
Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

Just a thought on the "CIA world Fact book".

Let's suppose the local population here (as distinct from whole population inclusive of foreign components and tourists) is 2.5 million. If half of that are female, we are left with 1.25 million males. If we subtract males under 18 yrs old or over 55 yrs old, we may be left with 0.8 million males.

If the CIA thinks that Singapore has 1 million trained people for military service, then they must have included virtually every civilian man-in-the-street that you see around you in your workplace and shopping centres who are locals. I'm not saying the CIA is wrong, just putting it into perspective.

Yes, I know women are also present in military service, but that does not change the gist of what I've said.

Yes I quite agree, they are probably counting everyone that as done their NS, and maybe those that still have it to do. but it's a lot more than the UK could ever muster. in the case of emergencies, thats one reason why I do agree with NS. I mean nobody in their right minds likes wars, it's all about power struggles and financial gains. But the idea that everyone is trained if needed isn't a bad thought.

Anonymous wrote:

Pinky wrote:

ksl wrote: Yes I see! I was looking at the CIA world Fact book, says Singapore have 1 million trained people for military service. Interesting, why they should want a 2 year NS, with so much manpower.

Well, you have to consider that fact that many locals are leaving singapore (either to emigrate or for work), so they need to constantly train individuals.

What is the pay for NS, I have been told its quite good compared to civvy street, 3200 a month can that be right? If that's the case, what would a regular get for a 10 year stretch?

It all depends on qualifications and experience. The pay is normally higher than civvy street but you tend to hit your highest scale of pay (this varies with your vocation, qualifications, experience, unit you are attched to, etc.) pretty quick. Another thing, if you are not local (or a PR), it would be hard to get into a good vocation (due to security level clearance, etc.).