Pick up your rifle & DIE for your country!!!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
March 4, 2007 4:00am CST
I just received a notification to attend a "call-up" later this year. I was ordered to report back to camp for 2 weeks.
Welcome to Singapore, the land of conscription.
An imaginative poet would describe the island to be a barbaric one where men are drafted into the national army as soon as they turn 18, only to be worked like a slave for 2 whole years before release. Thereafter, they remain compelled by law to continue their services (though in a lesser capacity) for many years after.
I was one of those who suffered the yoke of the old rule; instead of 2 years, I led a "life" of unspeakable description for 2 and a half years. You are less than a speck of dirt, and you should be grateful that your existence was tolerated. Thankfully, I had been released after dutifully serving my term.
Yet now, once or twice a year on average, I will be recalled to the army for 2 weeks to 2 months. It doesn't matter if my life will be affected in any way - why should it concern the army? As long as I am still alive, I am not my own man. My life is not my own and I have no free will.
I *cannot* even ask the question whether I should continue to serve the army. I cannot because unless I give up my citizenship (making me a man without a country), missing my call-up will mark me as a deserter. I will be caught in no time, hauled up in a sack, dragged before a military court and probably sentenced to serve my time in a detention barracks. One does not even need any imagination to imagine what life will be like there.
How would you feel if you are in my situation? What is your take on the issue of conscription? If this is e.g. America, I shudder to think of the sheer size of this army.
10 people like this
19 responses
@farnix (52)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
I have to agree with you on this one.... Thanks to the Compulsory National Service, my future is somewhat limited in choice of educational routes until I complete my 2 year service. Aparantly they only accept entries in Government institutions as applicable for deferment for studies, while if you're in a private school, they will sure drag you out and charge you in court.
Besides, all educated singaporeans would agree that the government here isn't really democractic as it seems to be. Founder of ASEAN, fastest growing economy, peaceful country, etc. But the fact is that we only have one opposition seat in parliment.
Which means that what ever the government propose, the opposition's rebutial is basically just hot air.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
5 Mar 07
That is horrible, and I feel so sorry for you. It is easy for others to say what you should or should not do, but that will have to come from you.
American is not like that at all. So many people come here, with all of it's faults and cruption, because you are a free person to do and make your own choices and live your life as you choose too.
I will keep you in my prayers lordwarwizard. I pray the Light will give you the direction to take, and guide and protect you. Blessings, M&M
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
Honey, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ;-)
2 people like this
@UltimateNet (112)
• Italy
4 Mar 07
of course, we must die because the president said that
That's right...
no, i don't understand why the human should kill other human
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Mar 07
Exactly! If only the world can live in peace and harmony...
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Am I ever glad I am a female and too old for any kind of draft.
3 people like this
@MrCoolantSpray (1005)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I hope it goes well for you. Most countries I know of have a mandatory military service system in place. In fact, the only exception I know is my own country, the USA. Personally, I don't think it's such a bad idea. I'm sorry the situation over there is so bad, though. Good luck.
3 people like this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
4 Mar 07
I would think it is an honour to serve the country in times of need. I have heard many stories and views from friends who have served the army. So far, many have shared your view, and there were few with a different opinion. Singapore is but a small country with only people as the main resource. After reading the history of Singapore and the pain of growing the country after gaining independence, I can understand why the conscription is in place. It might be more acceptable if the females were included.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
5 Mar 07
i use to stay in singapore for about 4 and a half years when i am doing my secondary school and i have many singaporean friends there... i know that military service is mandatory there because the country is so small and they have to rely on their own people to protect the country... i don't know whether is fair or not... but considering what the government had done to its people, this is the least that the citizen can do to repay the government and show your loyalty to the country... i think singapore is a very beautiful country... good luck...
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
I didn't have a choice in this, neither do I have any real choice still.
2 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I think I would feel very unhappy if I was in the same position as you as I think you should be able to live your life the way you want to since you already served your country. They should not be able to make you rejoin the army for any period of time and they should try to find new recruits. You did your job already. I think that is very unfair to you. I wish you the best as well and hope things will go okay and that you will be safe.
2 people like this
@bharti_regan (665)
• India
5 Mar 07
well i cannot die for anything except my country...i being a true patriot.. i wud luv to be a part of the martry!!!!!!!!!i love my india and i m proud to be an indian!!!!!!!
@ShadyGrove (996)
• United States
4 Mar 07
They used to have the draft in the U.S. and many thousands of American men (the draft did not include women) left the country and did indeed become labeled at "draft dodgers" never to be able to return to their families or homeland without fear of arrest.
They no longer have the draft, but there has been talk of bringing it back to help increase or supplement the size of the military here. I do not think the populus wants that to happen again. If you are not miliatry minded or an active patriot of the country I think you (not you, but us) would prefer others to do the fighting and protecting and to let us continue to live our lives as is.
I am unfamiliar with how the politics and government in your country works. How can they pull people throughout the year away from family and jobs? Are your jobs held? What about if you are in school? Is there no "reason" to be let out of this conscription? Is this just a thing that always was and always will be without people stepping up to question the whole process? If you protest are you flagged as a "bad" person by your friends? Does it bother you enough that you have considered leaving your country?
I know for me being TOLD I have to do something and MADE to do it would be totally against how I go through life. I can deal with rules and proper order, but it is my choice to follow or not follow ~ I know the consequences if I do not, and I choose to follow (within the boundaries - though I do like to stretch them a bit), but it is still MY choice.
This must be a difficult thing to live with.
I hope it does not become the choice between giving up yourself, or giving up your country -- you are in a hard situation.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
4 Mar 07
The situation is not as bad as I deliberately painted (to give the grim side of things). We do not lose our jobs while being asked to report back to camp because companies are bound by law to grant us leave too. It is true that given 2 equally capable people, an employee would rather choose he who doesn't have such "commitment" but hey, that's another story. :P
You are to be conscripted as long as you are a guy. For those whose fitness/health is unusually low, they may be given non-military roles such as clerks, etc.
The government does try to compensate us in several ways but I was just pointing out that we can't choose to opt out of the whole thing. I would rather pass on those compensations if I had the choice! In this sense, you are more fortunate in that you have a higher level of free choice.
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Howdy Lordwarwizard. The fact is that some countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and North Korea require their male citizens to go to the army. Perhaps the world would be a better place if other countries required it as well. I think it would make people appreciate their lives and such. I am sorry if you are annoyed and you think it is ballocks, you could always move somewhere else if you don't like your country. Have a nice day.
Pablo
2 people like this
@ElementalDragon (156)
• United States
4 Mar 07
As has been mentioned above, The United States used to require service (the draft), but no longer does so. Military service is optional. I favor this situation, and would be severely disappointed in them reinstating the draft. On the other hand, maybe a compulsory military experience would have done me some good. It's a moot point, at this point in time, however.
I am not a military person. Not by a long short. That is not to say that I don't respect those who are willing and able to serve in my country's military. Just that I won't volunteer to do so. And I'll be pissed if I'm forced to.
I am not (or try not to be) a conformist. I avoid doing things because "everybody else is doing it", or because someone orders me to do it. I may end up doing something in one of those categories because I feel it is worthwhile, but it won't be because of either of those reasons. The current United States political environment is a perfect example. I have not believed in the invasion of Iraq since day 1. If I were in the military, I would be assigned at the whim of someone that I really, really don't respect much.
My $0.02 at the moment.
2 people like this
@fxfriski (209)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
Korea, N. Korea, Taiwan all have compulsory drafting in military. Thailand have compulsory drafting in Monkhood.
Yes, two years of dirt life, I keep asking myself whether I should continue to serve the army. The answer I got is "no", the solution is to lose the pinky. Maybe I will change it to biru next door...
It seems you are cornering yourself, the Earth has approx 125 countries? (I don't remember the exact numbers.)
There is always the option of deferment, so legally you can miss your call-up.
I feel happy, getting paid for doing nothing for a week or two.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
Yea.. deferment.. if you can get it to work, and work all times... if a good migration opportunity presents itself, I really might.
I used to think that I love my country a lot and I would gladly die for Singapore, but after all the inconvenience forced upon me, I am feeling less the sense of belonging - an irony, isn't it? - given how PM is trying to make this his goal for his term?
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
5 Mar 07
Great, you belong a a big family then.
What if you are stuck in a rice cooker with all the steam, but the lid is on and stuck fast? :P
1 person likes this
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
22 Jun 07
I understand serving your country.. But I do not think it is right to force anyone to war duty in any country, well it makes sense to put everyone through some form of training in case there is a sudden attack on your home soil, so its citizens will all know what to do and not panick... But I think countries with the manadatory service should have two kinds of services. One for Peace, and One for War. So those who are totally against War and Violance an serve on the peace end, which could work to rebuilding homes, communities, Natural disasters relief etc, and other public services that are needed..
As far as how to get out of it.. well.. If its mandatory for everyone.. the only way to get out is to move to a new country, and become a citizen to its laws, etc.. but that process can be more painful than serving for two weeks as well..
I wish you the best, and all in your country the best..
But if they are going to force people into war training then the people all ought to have a say about where they are willing to fight and not to fight...
That is just my personal thoughts and opinions.
- DNatureofDTrain
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
22 Jun 07
You can declare yourself JW (we call them Jedi Warriors) (Or was it JK Jedi Knights.. can't remember).
These are people who supposed are sworn to peace (some religion or thingy) - they serve the army too but they don't pick up a rifle and they dress in tee and shorts gym attire everyday. We see them and they just do nothing.
It is not 2 weeks. It is 2 years (I served 2.5 years). The 2 weeks is after the 2 years, for at least 10 times (I think). And they are tons of readiness exercises too.
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
4 Mar 07
Well I think that every young man should be trained in the armed forces it used to be this way in Australia as well where we had conscription it teaches the men to be a man. Also there would not be so many men being rascals and doing the wrong thing in regards to their own country. Oh I do not agree with the way your country deals with this but I know our does not as my eldest son used to be in the army.
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
4 Mar 07
What you call conscription is called "The draft" over here.People haven't been drafted into the military in a long time.It's only used in extreme cases of emergency like if there were a war and they needed more troops but like i said they have not had the draft in years.It is an honor to serve one's country but on the other hand,I don't feel secure about people protecting our country by force .
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
22 Jun 07
Have you served your conscription yet?
I know France only stopped this about 5-10 years ago. I didn't realise it still went on in other countries.
1 person likes this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
22 Jun 07
Then my love and best wishes are with you and your family. It really does seem very unfair that someone has the right to tear you away from your life like this. xxx
