exemption from national service

[blitzonic]

If they wanted to harm us they would simply cut off the water supply, sand and earth and food shipments. Singapore would fall without a shot.

There is an operational aspect to NS training, namely a preemptive strategy that is in place for over 20 years now. Two generations of servicemen have gone through it: once threatened, Singapore shall immediately invade southern Johor, right up to the so-called "Mersing Line" (Batu Pahat-Kluang-Mersing) to secure the national resources & keep the island safe from long-range artillery fire.

[USGC]

I am not trying to agitate you at all. You came here asking questions. I have given you answers that you weren't prepared for although you knew that my answers are, in all probability, correct. If you were able to find that left field website for immigration, you were also able to find the ICA and Mindef websites as well. If you want to be mad or tell me I don't understand that's fine. But I think you will find I understand better than most.

sms

Haha... you haven't read all the details as clearly as I did yours and others. For the simple fact that I wrote and spoke to Mindef (stated in my 1st post) before I post here! The age to put in intention is 13, NOT 11! Furthermore, it is permissable to submit intention with a green card. How could you go so wrong and still go on ranting that it was my fault??

Anyway, getting a citizenship in US is not a problem and even to the knowledge that he may be drafted to the US army. That isn't the issue. The biggest issue is where his heart is and I am planning ahead of time even if you don't see it. Call it defensive or whatever you want, which I think it is you who is defensive. I have been direct all these while and you simply refuse to see it.

Sg-mom,
I am in the same situation. we are also waiting for our GC and my son is now 9 years old. you seems to know more about this renounciation and intention to runounce singapore citizenship. can you please advise me. with a GC, can we send a letter to singapore indicating our intention to renounce before he turns 13? i am also planning to give-up my singapore citizenship once i am out of this US GC mess and once i get US citizenship. we have no intention or ties with singapore -for that matter i do not have any single relative or friend there to visit in future. Another suggestion. There seems to be quite a few of 'singapore passport holders' here. why can't singapore gov. let our boys complete three months BMT training in one of their stations in US - like Arizona. This will solve many problems. I am thinking of suggesting this as 'worst case' scenario.
Please PM me if you don't mind.

[sundaymorningstaple]

First of all, USCG, you will need 5 posts before your PM function is activated. You can receive but you won't be able to reply until you have the 5 posts.

You NS BMT is an interesting thought. However, I wasn't aware that Singapore had it's own military installations in the US? I though they had contingents stationed at US bases as guests of the US military? Bit of a difference.

[USGC]

First of all, USCG, you will need 5 posts before your PM function is activated. You can receive but you won't be able to reply until you have the 5 posts.

You NS BMT is an interesting thought. However, I wasn't aware that Singapore had it's own military installations in the US? I though they had contingents stationed at US bases as guests of the US military? Bit of a difference.

I appreciate your response. If I really see it, I am getting very much annoyed. My boy has never enjoyed Singapore benefits. I know many PRs who study from KG to A level, surrender their PRs and come to US for higher studies. They still visit their parents in Singapore with visitor visa. For me these are the real people, who enjoyed all benefits and giving back nothing. The only thing my son has wiht singapore is his passport.
May be if we suggest the idea of US training, singpore government may also see it positvely, that our intention is not to dodge NS but to complete the obligation in a mutually accepted way.
Soon I will post 5 posts and get my PM activated.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I think that is the big issue, the Singapore passport. It easier to travel using a Singapore one than a US one. I believe that's where the government is wrong using this as a damocles sword over it's young men but, at the same time, every country has the right to it's own laws and policies and unfortunately that's where the problem comes in. Some are caught in the 'tween because the majority of Singaporean/PR leavers do so with the express purpose of getting their sons out of NS. So, in the end analysis, all get tarred with the same brush and so the government enacts draconian policies to prevent the abusers. Unfortunately, there are those who get caught in the system due to it's lack of flexibility.

[USGC]

Hi I am new here. I am coming back to Singapore tomorrow to take care of my son's NS men issue. They were born in HK and they never lived in Singapore. They got Singapore passport as well as HKSAR passport.

I have gone through this thread and seen that a Central Manpower Board is responsible for authorizing defer enlisting but I cannot find Central Manpower Board in the google.com.sg

Would you gentlemen enlight me if that mean Ministry of Manpower?

Best regards,
Eric

Can you update youtr case? Any details from Ministry?
Thanks

[byung_hun]

do you guys think that I am able to enter Singapore??? I probably have the same problem, I have left Singapore at the age of 8 that was 1996 and since then I have not been to Singapore? Is it possible to renounce without doing NS? could any problems occur once I set foot into the country??

[whiskey02]

hi everyone, i have completed my national service in singapore and I hope i can give my 2 cents worth on some of the issues here.

ericyung88, the central manpower means central manpower base, in short, singaporeans call it CMPB. It dictates and controls all potential boys who are going to get enlisted into the army.

Here are the contact details:

Central Manpower Base
3 Depot Road
Singapore 109680
Tel: 1800-3676767

Actually going to the army nowadys is not so horrible. There will be times that are down but it is a good way to let the boy handle the stress that they face both alone as well as in a group of others.

As for the part about skipping NS to further on careers, there are pros and cons. In NS, there are chances to meet new people who behave differently. This is part of networking. It also helps to develop the boy both physically and mentally into a responsible person. They will experience what they do not experience in the corporate world. Some of them are even open to leadership appointments and confidence towards life will be boosted.

The minus point is the 2 years taken up now instead of the 2.5 years.

To me, the most important thing is to take things with an open mind and things will turn out fine. The boys may discover another part of life that they never imagine will happen to them.

Just my part on sharing some of my experiences.

[Jeppo]

It dictates and controls all potential boys who are going to get enlisted into the army.

Potential boys? Is this what they call girls who are considering transgender reassignment, these days?

[whiskey02]

hi Jeppo, i meant the boys who are going to be conscripted into the army. Not the female who chose to serve....mor of a general term...

[NSProblem]

Hi, does anyone know of a good lawyer who can help us check on precendence regarding dual citizens (US and Singapore) who did not serve NS ?

When my son was borned some 23 years ago in the US, we got him a US passport. Shorlty after, we came back to Singapore. I then naturalized him (bad mistake..). We have been back and forth between US and Singapore due to work. When he turned 18, he left for college in the US, without serving his NS. He tried to renounce his Singapore citizenship at that time but they wouldn't let him because he was under 21. When he turned 21 they accepted his renunciation. He has been away for 5 years and we like him to visit but don't know if he will face a fine or a jail sentence. My wife is a US citizen and does not want him to serve NS.

Any advice or referral to a good lawyer is much appreciated.

NSProblem

[Plavt]

When he turned 21 they accepted his renunciation.

Your post would appear to contradict itself. Since they have accepted renunciation of his Singapore citizenship (I assume he has US citizenship now and no other), then what is the problem?

[drusilla]

Hi, does anyone know of a good lawyer who can help us check on precendence regarding dual citizens (US and Singapore) who did not serve NS ?

When my son was borned some 23 years ago in the US, we got him a US passport. Shorlty after, we came back to Singapore. I then naturalized him (bad mistake..). We have been back and forth between US and Singapore due to work. When he turned 18, he left for college in the US, without serving his NS. He tried to renounce his Singapore citizenship at that time but they wouldn't let him because he was under 21. When he turned 21 they accepted his renunciation. He has been away for 5 years and we like him to visit but don't know if he will face a fine or a jail sentence. My wife is a US citizen and does not want him to serve NS.

Any advice or referral to a good lawyer is much appreciated.

NSProblem

if they accepted his renunciation, why would he face a jail sentence? shouldn't he be coming just as a visitor/ tourist??

[NSProblem]

When he turned 21 they accepted his renunciation.

Your post would appear to contradict itself. Since they have accepted renunciation of his Singapore citizenship (I assume he has US citizenship now and no other), then what is the problem?

Well, according to some people, he broke the law when he was a Singaporean. There would be some form of punishment; a fine or
a jail sentence. I am looking for precedence..

[sundaymorningstaple]

I understand you concern. However, if the government of Singapore accepted your renunciation of citizenship you would not have a problem as you are not breaking any laws. If they thought you were breaking any laws then they would not have accepted your renunciation in the first place. Having said that, contacting a lawyer does make sense just to give you the peace of mind you want.