The Nation Salute

[arthur]

To all those who have served this little piece of land we called home, you are my brothers wholeheartedly.
Not because we are born of this land, but because we give our youth and our best to this land.

Training to be soldiers.. Fighting for our land...

[KopiKat]

Wat??

Your Last Post in this forum? Or feeling sad for someone?

Anyway, look at NS positively as that's where many boys really turned into men...

If you know any Koreans or even Taiwanese who'd also been conscripted into the combat vocations (their country faces a very real threat of war anytime), you'd feel ashamed at how 'soft' the training here is, in comparison...

[arthur]

Wat??

Your Last Post in this forum? Or feeling sad for someone?

Anyway, look at NS positively as that's where many boys really turned into men...

If you know any Koreans or even Taiwanese who'd also been conscripted into the combat vocations (their country faces a very real threat of war anytime), you'd feel ashamed at how 'soft' the training here is, in comparison...

Heh Heh. I think it will take more than just mere sadness to get me off this investing community we all share together.

Indeed, I am feeling sad for the past months news of young men dying in the course of serving their nation.

Truth to be told, the King Koil mattresses, the SAR21 X1.5 magnifier, the superb tasting cookhouse food really soften the younger gen alot.

But a life is a life, regardless of which generation, it pains me to know another young life is gone. He could have a happy family ahead of him, give his parents grandchildren to look forward to, have his own grandchildren in decades to come. But no more..

I think I would be still proud if I know my country still take cares of me, but no. So many of this young men after ORD, would be competing on an unequal footing, competing in half mil HDB, jobs with no security, etc.

Perhaps some ppl in forum might take my constant grouses as evidence that I am an underachiever. I am definitely not. From my lower class family background to what I have now relative to my age, I considered myself fairly successful with Heaven blessings.

Yet it is the lower class background I was born into that let me to think of those who could not escape the viscious cycle of poverty.

Sorry Kopi-Kat, hope I didn't bored you to death.

[sgd]

my time never heard of people dying during NS. Maybe you hear of weird freaky stuff once in a while like some who couldn't take it commit suicide but most case nobody will do such things, only 2 years lah not worth dying over most will just "keng" their way out loh.

Sometime you see how ppl keng can be hilarious some pretend to be mad will do all crazy thing, walk around without underwear lah, stinky never bathe for days or shave their head with bald patches,

One guy always came under "asthma like seizures" always fell on the ground gasping for air after crossing the IPPT finishing like.

Another guy pretended he had a third eye claimed the bunk was haunted that he could see a girl combing her hair in the bunk spooked his entire platoon that guy was a curiousity in our unit for a while.

I remember there was one field exercise 4 guys including the commander was struck by lightening "everybody was blown up several meters apart in the explosion and all their skin turned black" admitted went to sick bay by monday were back on their feet I guess they didn't want to spend anymore weekends in sick bay and "miraculously" recovered.

I think nowsadays too much good life the nsmen grown soft and all falling like flies.

[KopiKat]

I think I would be still proud if I know my country still take cares of me, but no. So many of this young men after ORD, would be competing on an unequal footing, competing in half mil HDB, jobs with no security, etc.

IMO, especially more so in this age of globalisation, we have to learn to take care of ourselves (also teach our kids to be able to do that ie. don't bottle/spoon feed them too much by reasoning that you want to give them the best). At the govt level, you look at the different systems of different countries, at the end of the day, it's all the same ie. 'Two Legs Good, Four Legs Back' (go read 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell). Whatever they do, it will primarily serve their own self interest first. The highest priority would be to get elected (or re-elected) and that's where they may make policies that benefits the majority (but definitely not at any extreme detriment to themselves). At the job level, don't expect any 'iron rice-bowl' type of jobs to be available as cos. strives to maximise profits (good if they are listed and you are a shareholder).

Yet it is the lower class background I was born into that let me to think of those who could not escape the viscious cycle of poverty.

Don't just think, do something, aside from waiting every 4-5 years to cast your vote for the opposition... If you have money, give money. If you have time, give time. Before my kids came along, I used to do some simple volunteer work (refurbish 2nd hand computers) to help under-priviledged kids. Now, I can only give donations. I'll definitely do more again when my kids are older and can take care of themselves (Charity Begins @ Home). I encouraged my eldest kid to do peer tutoring in school (for the under-performers who can't afford tuition). I'm also in the process of building a separate portfolio of stocks that'll provide me a growing (and hopefully perpetual) source of dividend income to donate to charity (Hey! I found a way to marry 2 of my passions!).

Can explore this site, www.give.sg for ideas.

Sorry Kopi-Kat, hope I didn't bored you to death.

Nope! It's always good to know there're still people out there who cares... and not just about making $$$...

Lastly, cheer up! People dies every day. Statistically, I won't be very surprised if there's actually a much higher chance of being killed while crossing the road (when it's green light in your favour) than being killed while serving NS (or Reservist)!

[Jared Seah]

Hello KopiKat,

What you DO is an inspiration.

Respect.

[WolfT]

There are always people dying in the army. The only difference is nowaday,news spread damm fast with internet,facebook,twitter,iphone etc.

I can still rem a few near brush with death incident last time in OCS. I always have this thinking that if u are fated to die, u cannot hide, e only thing u can do is to change your mindset.Learn to control fear.

Coming out of my 2.5 yrs of NS. I am proud to say I have become a confident, discipline and mature man.I have also forge true bond and friendship that is created through tough and difficult training.

Rip Dominique and those who died during their NS.

[propertyinvestor]

Even if you are going to die, best is not to die while servin in the army. Army is only 2years. Stupid to die in there. Thats why never be garang. Never hide existing conditions or past medical history during the checkup. You can always be fit on your own terms in the gym. No need to be a hero.

Good if you can go command school, but more importantly is to survive.

[pianist]

i think the reason for higher incidence of death accident in army these days is probably due to global warming. Especially when the red dot just lie along the hot equator line, and the saf can still conduct outdoor trainings during noon 12pm time. i think is kinda crazy.

[brattzz]

Many years ago, i was mono-intake at LCK NS, find the physical exercise tough yet fufilling, grow stronger and fitter too, IPPT always GOLD one.. then now NS men liao, become slack leh.. IPPT just pass only.. also not stronger and become fatter also liao.. :O

From cookhouse food to NTUC food, from single foam mattress to KingKoil mattress, from M16 to SAR21, it didn't make me weaker or softer...
I enjoyed NS, i have great platoon mates, we still keep in contact tilldate and outings and stuffs...

Back then, there was not too much "entry barriers" after NS to get a good job, work hard, get a FAIR salary..
now? WELL, 2yrs old younger FT completes at major discount in salary to get the same job.

Singaporean NS men just ain't competitive anymore in singapore economy. The 2 yrs is too expensive to waste...
And worst, basic expenses increase!! Uni fees, HDB flat, car COE, heck even a motorbike also up!

Ask me frankly again, will i do 2 yrs NS in this time and date. NOT in a million.
I rather go for Uni study, or get a headstart in a career.

Enough of ranting.
No one has to die in NS. We are responisble for our own life, so take care of yourself well!
RIP fallen ones. RIP....