ksl wrote:
Military or national service (NS) liable males who emigrated overseas before age 11 and have not enjoyed significant socio-economic benefits of citizenship, (e.g. applied for a Singapore Identity Card or studied in Singapore beyond the age of 11), will be allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenship if they do not wish to fulfil their NS obligations.
Well it does look like the main crux is the IC or studied beyond the age of 11!
Been thinking about this for a while now, based on my son wanting to join the army at 16, at first i tried very hard to talk him out of it, simply because over the years I could see, he was kind of wanting to be like dad. This worried me quite alot, having not been there for him, because of divorce, he was obviously suffering an identity problem of which I believed he would grow out of.
The fact is mother had signed the papers, and after several months of strict discipline realised, he had made a mistake and begged his mum to get him out, this didn't materialise, and he was automatically transfered into manservice, and went awol, eventually they caugt him, more than once i must say, but is punishment of prison, is certainly questionable, considering he was a volunteer. In all he spent well over a year behind bars for not accepting brainwashing!
This had an adverse affect on his mental state and for the government in general, these harsh victorian methods are out of touch with reality today, although have anyone informed the MOD.
My worry is, that if a young man is not at the age of consent, why should he be held by a parental signature! This method of taking signatures from parents on the behalf of there children, no matter what Country they live, must be seen has a breeach of human rights, A parent should not be allowed to sign these papers, or a government should not prey on the parents of children to do National Service.
It is my true oppinion, that National Service should be encouraged, by loyalty to a nation, and rewarded as such, but individual rights must be respected, it is not about being scared to do Military Service.
If the age of National Service is 18 year old and can be defered, then, these 18 year olds must be responsible for their own futures, and not a parental promise by signatures.
This way the adult can self choose, without the pressure being on all the family, and lets be fair here, kids don't have much choice in life do they, So its very wrong of government to prey on them this way! although until there is a challenge through the judicial system, things will remain the same.
I would think it better to have loyalty in the services, than have a bunch of unhappy, bitter, young mutineer, in the time of combat, that are skilled to act against the government.
I often wonder, how many of the IRA had served in the British Army, and were quite highly skilled only to gain intelligence for the future! Of course most governments look at the expendability of the force, they are recruiting, simply because they don't have to stand side by side, with a noncombatant, of which there are many, in the service, with this ideology!
It would also be nice to see an option on sign up too! Like I will solemnly declare to defend my Country and solemnly declare not to attack anyother!
But after seeing my mates get killed for political stardom and double morals, the smoke screen laid down was lifting, and i could see the light! That we the soldiers, were being sold out for political gain.
It was a mad house,