Every Singaporean Son

ttuguy421 · Post by **ttuguy421** » Sat, 12 Mar 2011 4:16 pm

Anyone watching the series on National Geographic about the Singapore National Service?? Any thoughts or comments? Just getting ready to catch the first episode in 15 mins.

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Sat, 12 Mar 2011 9:26 pm

I am surprised they are making a series, never mind an episode.

I don't recall the last foreign made TV programme on SG that I saw. Maybe stuff re: Nick Leeson. I think TV producers are very restricted in what they are and are not able to say, and the risk is it ends up sounding like government propaganda. I'd be interested in knowing how the subject is framed!

p.s. Side issue. Given the gubment monitor all phone calls (etc

) why is Skype legal in SG? Or is it a case that there is no practical way of restricting access to a VOIP service for someone who is determined enough?

Edit to add:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resour ... anSon.html
Silly me, it is government made 'TV for the web' propaganda!

fiveniner · Post by **fiveniner** » Wed, 16 Mar 2011 6:31 pm

I thought its not that bad as it shows the how Singapore kids go through national service.

The BMT phase isnt that bad after all, as it builds up the teens and make them ready for the rest of the 1 and 1/2 years.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 9:14 am

As this is as propaganda piece, you can bet it's been glorified for TV. It also won't show things like hazing that is done (where a recruit was killed a couple of years ago). They have to give a really sanitized version so the already paranoid parents won't totally freak and immigrate tomorrow!

Calmday · Post by **Calmday** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:33 am

Looked like summer camp to me. I am a combat vet and have a lot opinions about that show but I will just leave it at, "I seriously hope that Singapore never has to go to war".

Mad Scientist · Post by **Mad Scientist** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:34 am

The National Service has improved somewhat over the years. It all depends on which unit they are going after the BMT or being preselect due to their educational, race and family background.
But having said that, more deaths occurs now than what we came across before in the 70s. This is very strange indeed

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:15 am

Pretty easy to understand why, MS. In the 60's you had to carry all of your own books to school. in the 90's~00's maids do all the work. Put the little mandarins into BMT and strap a 70lb pack on their backs, they die-die. Also, as they have never had to "think" as everybody did all for the little mandarins, they don't know how to use common sense. Hell, they don't even know the meaning of it today. Like the most recent case of backing up without a spotter or standing behind a running 2.5 tonner in the first place!

Actually, by killing them off, they are doing the country a favour as giving them Darwin Awards, helps to thin out the defective gene pool.

That ought to rile some of 'em up!

ttuguy421 · Post by **ttuguy421** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 2:48 pm

I wouldn't mind seeking a mock invasion... just to see how long the local defense would last before it ran crying for more fish ball soup and hello panda crackers

Post by **nakatago** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 3:00 pm

ttuguy421 wrote:I wouldn't mind seeking a mock invasion... just to see how long the local defense would last before it ran crying for more fish ball soup and hello panda crackers

I'd like to say the US could do it but Singapore doesn't have natural resources or a strategic location that could be 'exploited.'

ecureilx · Post by **ecureilx** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 3:41 pm

ttuguy421 wrote:I wouldn't mind seeking a mock invasion... just to see how long the local defense would last before it ran crying for more fish ball soup and hello panda crackers

Well, with 2/3 of Singapores air and armour overseas, they don't expect an invasion here

Last I heard, Singapore has more space leased overseas than the size of Singapore .. apart from the air bases in France, Texas, Australia..

Well, for a rational guy in NS, NS is a blessing - of sorts.

Enough of Singaporeans, while whining, will readily admit that the Thailand/Taiwan/Australian/US/French tour was really worth the years spent ..

While it may seem Singapore is a cartoon army for many, it is from good and respected people I have heard great praise for their efficiency and professionalism - of course, when hell breaks loose, Singapore doesn't hesitate to send a LST / support ship / tankers and medical teams primarily in non-violent roles ..

ttuguy421 · Post by **ttuguy421** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 4:27 pm

[/quote]Well, with 2/3 of Singapores air and armour overseas, they don't expect an invasion here

Last I heard, Singapore has more space leased overseas than the size of Singapore .. apart from the air bases in France, Texas, Australia.. [/quote]

That is not saying much that Singapore has bases in other places larger than Texas and other places...

Most of Singapore's air force is in Arizona...

All I know is that when a bunch of U.S. Seals walk into a bar... you take notice.. and decide never to cross those guys (or any special forces... or well... any U.S. armed forces for that matter) when I see Singaporean armed forces walk into a place... I can't help but laugh to myself and feel like I am looking at a bunch of pansies...

Post by **nakatago** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 5:06 pm

oh great; now we'll have some pride-easily-hurt singaporean who's frothing at the mouth gonna be dissin' us and basically just causing a $#!+ storm and go flinging all over the place...

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 5:09 pm

I see this as a +ve, just in time for the weekend too.

ecureilx · Post by **ecureilx** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 5:23 pm

ttuguy421 wrote: All I know is that when a bunch of U.S. Seals walk into a bar... you take notice.. and decide never to cross those guys (or any special forces... or well... any U.S. armed forces for that matter) when I see Singaporean armed forces walk into a place... I can't help but laugh to myself and feel like I am looking at a bunch of pansies...

Well, this is Asia, and in Asia, the armed forces men dont' get fed on the "SUPER GROW" food as the US Armed forces men are fed, and pumped iron to look extremely scary ..

And if you are an Asian, which I presume you are not, and if you have moved around with asian armed forces, (which I have done, having done some work with some south asian/south east asian armed forces) maybe the US guys scare you, but heck, no sir, they don't scare me ..

While on the same subject, last week, there was an Indian Navy shop in town, and the guys being normal Indian guys, were holding hands while walking - and does that make them gays or faggards and less lethal with their weapons ? And knowing common indian guys, I can bet my life savings that those guys are as straight as anybody, it is just that guys holding hands is not frowned upon in India .. or atleast parts of India ..

I could go on and can off-hand think of atleast a dozen US navy / marines, from each ship when they dock, I have seen leaving OT, with semi-women, and they were not just proud but were tongue-in-tongue .. so ??

What was your question again sir ??

oh, does that also mean non-American forces are not scary and does that include the Brits, Aussies, German, French ....

Oops .. if I offended anybody - sorry ..

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 25 Mar 2011 5:32 pm

ecureilx wrote: While it may seem Singapore is a cartoon army for many, it is from good and respected people I have heard great praise for their efficiency and professionalism - of course, when hell breaks loose, Singapore doesn't hesitate to send a LST / support ship / tankers and medical teams primarily in non-violent roles ..

While I will agree with ecureilx, but only speaking about a few units in the military here (specifically the commando & Guards Battalions and the naval diving team), but unfortunately, they will have to go a long way to be able to carry the esprit de corps or swagger of the Seals, SAS, SeaBees or GB's. But again, lest we forget, with the exception of a single commando exercise 20 years ago at Changi, none of the units here have ever been blooded as mentioned, they have always "volunteered" but only for rear guard action like medical units or offshore maritime patrols. It's kind of hard to get a swagger carrying a stretcher and wearing a first aid armband.

ttuguy421 wrote:All I know is that when a bunch of U.S. Seals walk into a bar... you take notice.. and decide never to cross those guys (or any special forces... or well... any U.S. armed forces for that matter) when I see Singaporean armed forces walk into a place... I can't help but laugh to myself and feel like I am looking at a bunch of pansies...

I think a large part of that come from the fact that 70+% of them are myopic and wear specs.

edited to change 2 years to 20 years (damn zero on the office keyboard is stuffed)

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