* living four seasons in one day *

Why we serve...or why do we even bother?

Sunday, May 13, 2007

I've said this to many of the people I know when it comes to NS: I'd happily put aside the 2 (used to be 2.5) full-time years, as I honestly do think (despite the warts of the system) that we're contributing something to our country's defence. However, it does feel shitty when you read/hear about this kind of incidents that can befall us during our stints serving the nation and the treatment dished out to NSmen.

What really gets my goat is how they toss you out with just the barest minimum of support (if you can call it that) when something goes wrong. I've experienced it firsthand myself, being struck down by a severe illness requiring hospitalization and my parents being out of pocket by a five-figure sum three months after enlistment.

No, I do not expect parades or (heaven forbid) payouts allowing injured servicemen comfortable lifestyles for the rest of their lives. But $500/month + CSC card for a life forever changed?? We obviously can't afford to pay more for servicemen incapacitated in the line of duty, nor for destitute old folks who spent decades building Singapore to what it is today, yet we can give generous pay hikes to our minsters who were already paid in excess of $1.2 million a year for their "sacrifices".

MM Lee accused Singaporeans who were against the minister pay hikes of lacking a "sense of proportion". Makes you wonder who lacks the sense of proportion, doesn't it? - DSM

Labels: national service, NS, SAF, Singapore

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ThE DonGSteRs at |12:22 AM|