$400k to train s soldier??? LOL where did you get that number from??twotribez wrote:I am late to reply this but I was in exactly the same position as you now face in 2001.
I had 1 year left but mindef reject my extension. Till now I regret my decision. I should not have renounced and gone back to serve. As I was born in Singapore and having gone there every year without fail since I was 8 years old. I was very attached to Singapore. Even had Singapore girlfriend. We broke off when I came back to Australia for Uni.
Now, I find myself wanting to go back but have been rejected for employment passes. I even enquired if I could serve and their answer is that if you are no more Singaporean, you cannot serve.
My younger brother ended up going back to serve. He kept his SG citizenship and australian citizenship until he finished serving. Even after 3 to 4 years after serving he refused to renounce his Australia. Immigration was pressuring him to pick one. In the end he chose Australian passport as I heard it was hard to get back. He then applied for employment pass and he had no problems getting it. This is also the same for my father, he renounced but because both had serve NS, they will grant you employment pass.
I am the only one who can't go back to work and it is sad as I love Singapore and that single immature decision I made 10 years ago has cost me dearly.
However what I don't understand is why a person who left so young that did not enjoy any benefits from the country is not allowed to return simply because they did not server NS. I heard it costs about 400k to train an SG soldier. Isn't this a waste of money when they renounce? You can't even use them for reservist anymore. People like myself, I save them the 400k yet we are treated like outsiders and cannot come back too work.
Honestly at 21, a lot of us guys are not mature enough to make that decision just yet. Think about 21 during your Uni days? Mostly involves fun and socialising.
All I can see is that it must be just the principle they are holding onto. I really hope it changes one day so I can return and help the population to grow....
Wonder if I do marry a singaporean, can I go back to work? Many questions....
However I would say, serve your NS. Singapore will always be home. Grass is always greener but for myself, it was always home and I should have served.
hope this helps.