National Service - Pleasure Serving you Singapore!

Just few years back, a distant aunt gave birth to a baby boy in Singapore. My aunt is Singaporean but her husband is an Indian national. But they have refused Singapore citizenship for their son. Their reason was that they did not want their son to serve national service.

[For the readers who do not know what national service: in Singapore Men at the age of 18 have to serve in the Singapore Armed forces (navy/army/air-force), Civil defense force (firemen) or the Police force. The Bulk of us would be sent to the army. ]

I guess their reason for them to refuse the citizenship for their son was probably because of the deaths of some servicemen during their service. Don’t get me wrong, death in national service is extremely rare. I unfortunately have seen a once platoon mate die. His death had nothing to do with the training; he just had a cardiac arrest and died. But since it was in camp premises he was given a military funeral.
Having gone through national service and seen death itself. I would still encourage my fellow Singaporean brothers that national service is not bad as some people have thought to be.
I have seen boys turn to men. We are force to behave like a gentleman, and taught how to make decisions under both physical and mental stress. We are taught how to lead and taught how to take punishments and pain head-on. I am sure many who have served National service would agree with me.
I am going to convince my aunt that national service is not too bad. My brother is currently serving his national service as an Officer Cadet. He is soon to be an Artillery officer.
I have truly benefited from national service, I urge my readers to explain the true experience of National service to the few ignorant Singaporeans.
“What we lack in size, we make up for in numbers.” ,Lee Kwan Yew (minister mentor) and whom I call “Father of Singapore”.

This post is dedicated to 3rd sergeant Perry, a true hero. Although we knew each other too little, enough to earn a permanent place in my heart.
To those who say National service is a waste of time, i tell you. Stop saying that cos, his death was not a waste.