Splatted wrote:sundaymorningstaple wrote:
Actually, my son does realize what he's in for .......
Haven't had to do NS myself, but speaking with friends that have done it overseas in Europe the consensus is that after a 2 1/2 year stint, you come out an "animal" & that you're not the same person.
Is Singapore NS the same?
This is one is easy. With the exception of overly pampered kids who have been waited on hand & foot all their lives by maids, it's not that bad. My son-in-law was recently ROD'd and frankly, having known him for the past 8 years, I can see absolutely no change in him. Course, maybe what you are referring to are the special ops types who become commandos, special forces, marines, navy seals, sas, etc. Yes, these are brutal, and only the best make it as it should be. The average grunt finds it a skate in the park, especially now days. Hell, in singapore you even have aircon barracks, reasonable food and can come home often (they even let mommies/maids do the washing and ironing of uniforms - how pansy-arsed is that!)
The biggest change that I noticed is a better respect for authority (well, better than they were ......... )
NS in Singapore is now around 21 months unless you are obese. Anybody who grew up with a modicum of physical exertion will not have a problem. That's the problem here though what with maids & mommies doing everything for the kids except for pre-mastication of the food (maybe I should even take that back from what I've heard). We haven't had a maid since my eldest one was 2 years old - son has never had the benefit - nor have we ever had airconditioning except in secondary school and shopping centres .
I think what you may be referring to is those guys who did military service and, like myself, saw active combat (in my case 18 months in the NAM). Yes that does change a person without a doubt.........
