First before I continue, I would like to clarify. Are you even a guy who have served National Service either 2.5 or 2 years? If you aren't, then it's quite hypocritical to be behind the screen commenting on obligations and conscription.
Be rest assured I'm definitely in the position to comment.
I understand the part about obligation. If you are talking about recognition, what recognition do you see behind it?
I dun fully grasped what you are trying to say about recognition. The way people perceive recognition varies from one person to another. Some people feel that he's being recognised when his boss praise him, some other people feel that only if he gets off he's being recognised, while some feel that only monetary rewards is a form of recognition, and there are many others who have varied definition of "recognition" so there's no hard and fast rule to it.
Most NSFs got practically nothing in return. Even the COS is quite useless, just shows you have been though NS. Most just say "serve and F off". Why?
Because serving NS in Singapore is not even the least proud nor memorable to many.
Before I slowly call out each and every sweeping statements you made, let me tell you why I am saying so upfront. What you perceived from the sentiments from the people you know, from other people on forums etc does not represent the entire population. It can just mean those people you so happened to know and interacted with shares the same opinion as you. It can also mean the people you know are very limited.
"Most NSFs got practically nothing in return." - Sweeping statement, there are NSFs out there who feels that they get a lot of things in return. Whether is it "MOST" or "SOME" we will probably never know unless each and every one of them were to be asked that question.
"Even the COS is quite useless, just shows you have been though NS." - You feel that it's useless, but do you represent that entire NSF population to say it's useless for all of them? The COS states what role you played and your performance, I don't think it jus shows "you have been through NS" only.
" Most just say "serve and F off"." - Another sweeping statement. Whether is it "MOST" or "SOME" we will probably never know unless each and every one of them were to be asked that question.
"Because serving NS in Singapore is not even the least proud nor memorable to many." - Another sweeping statement. Whether is it least proud nor memorable or most proud and memorable to many or some, we will probably never know unless each and every one of them were to be asked that question.
Secondly, in Singapore, due to the limited perception of our soldiers, NSFs are worst then POW. Sit also cannot, drink also cannot and have to be on tenterhooks lest they get stomped. With many of this kind of unappreciative people, please tell me what is the meaning of serving.
That's your own opinion, I wouldn't doubt there are many others who share the same opinion as you, but I also wouldn't doubt there are many others who doesn't share the same opinion as you. Well about the stomp part, I don't think it just restricts to NSF, it's a bigger societal issue. "Many" another sweeping statement, who knows, maybe there are MORE people who appreciate than not appreciate?
Thirdly, as I have mentioned earlier. We are 2 years behind in terms of work experience, academic progress and monetary stability. After ORD, 10 cycles of ICT + IPPT and RT for many people who work just to make ends meet and hence could not keep up with their physical.
I don't see any questions here, but my point is. Ignoring the fact that girls and FT doesn't have to serve. All Singaporean males are on the same boat, so it's not as if only a handful of Singaporean males are in that position. Also how does giving bonus help in anyway to solve that problem?
IMHO, recognition is something that is explicitly done, not something just verbally said and give you a pat on the back but cannot put food on your table.
Yup "IN YOUR HONEST OPINION". So it is IMHO that you are entitled to your own opinion, but that doesn't necessarily represents the opinion of the entire NSF population.
And while I am talking about monetary benefits, just additional 1 month of allowance for every 1 year of service as a NSF, is that a lot?
Take your calculation - according to Wikipedia, there are about 40,000 conscripts, take $1000 additional allowances is only $40m a year which is only 0.33% of the annual budget for SAF.
At a Micro level, definitely not a lot. But have you looked at Macro level? No doubt, in terms of it being a proportion of the defence budget is relatively small, without knowing more details, it may seem reasonable to say that's nothing, but maybe there are certain stuff that we hv missed out which this $40m is needed somewhere else which is more essential? I am not trying to say giving a bonus is not essential, i personally also would be happy to have a bonus, but my point is, criticising for the sake of criticising is pointless. If one is not happy, one should go find out more and make a case out of it, constructive criticism is more useful than just rant without any basis.
Do you know that some NSFs have had family problems and do not have their families to rely on? Some even told me they had to rely on their savings they worked before enlistment to sustain the 2 years.
Even so, do you think its appropriate for a guy at 21 years old to even rely on parents for a living, just because of obligation you are speaking of?
I am pretty sure I've heard cases, of it. But I am also pretty sure the SAF having programs to help those people who are in the situation? If they don't know about it, they should probably speak to their boss to find out more. Whether it is appropriate or not, is subjective. Do you so happen to know that our parents are indirectly supporting us by paying taxes?
Speaking of reality, if you don't have money, do you think the "obligation" and service you have rendered will put food on your table and provide you with medical expenses if you are sick?
As mentioned above, I believe there are programs that will help those people who are having family issue, they should go talk to their boss. NSF personal medical issue??? Ain't 11B literally the best insurance card you can get in the world? I think it beats having obamacare.
2 years makes a lot of difference.
If you can't, I suggest you take $2k monthly salary (government says average salary for poly graduates is $2.3k) * 24 months deducting allowances.
Otherwise just look around you, all your female and foreign friends have already graduated, you are still slogging away.
If there are inequality among guys about the length and obligation to serve, I will definitely be damn pissed. But I think it's not really a like for like comparison when comparing between gender. Well this is my opinion. As for FT, well I believe it's not just a NS issue, but a bigger societal issue.