Need some advise here

[megalord]

Hi people, i need some advise regarding my service injury, please chip in if you have experience or have any advises.

I am a PES C2L2, excused RMJ since enlistment. Foot problem. Trained vocation during NS, automotive technician specialist. During reservist, i was sent to this "service unit", vocation automotive specialist technician, whereas my appointment is Matador Gunner.

Highlighted to mindef twice through MP, mindef reassured that my PES status is fine with the vocation, and i am merely going to be trained in the matador and my vocation is still mechanic. Went in, became Machine Gunner instead, GPMG training and combat drill. My foot gave way in the training due to all sorts of running and drills. Went MO, MO said he can't do anything besides reminding my unit that i am excused RMJ. He said he has no say over my appointment and vocation.

Spoke to CO, appears that he knew my condition from the start but chose to continue with the machine gunner appointment due to lack of manpower. After that, out process.

Condition deteriorated and eventually i got to use crutches to move. Submitted service injury claim. Saw a few more MO, all said they can't do anything regarding my appointment. CO has the final say over my appointment and vocation. Eventually sent MP letter to mindef and they say they will change me to admin support. Condition further deteriorated to the state that both my legs were casted and on wheel chair. 2nd reservist came. Asked for deferment with specialist letter, but deferment rejected by CO. 4th MP letter sent and eventually they defer me from the reservist 1 day before.

During this period of time, suffered like hell. Family got to take leave to drive me to and fro hospital, mom quited her job to take care of my basic needs. My entire family is punished because CO chose to abuse me through my physical weakness, that is, my leg. Eventually i got to go for operation. I can't even walk properly now. I was an athlete but now i can't even walk properly. The reservist CO has crippled me. The work performance of my family members are badly affected due to the frequent ad hoc leave and disappearance from work.

Needless to say, i am now furious. The foreigners at my workplace were happy, less competition it seems. I can't work properly due to my inability to move around without support. My work performance is greatly discounted. And my medical bills has shot beyond the 20k mark. The service injury claim was only recently signed, and its said that it takes 9 months on average to clear.

I believe SAF and the CO owe me, my family and my loved ones an explanation. CO works overseas, so non contactable. I wanted to go up the chain of command to complain, but the division commander cannot be contacted, because the clerks told me that i can't speak to him. Called NS helpline several times to talk to higher authority and make formal complain, they promised to call back in days but months have passed and nothing.

I think a 5th MP letter is inevitable. However, i got a feeling that they are gonna claim that my vocation of automotive technician fits my PES status again, and now that they put me to become a admin support, no issues. Its pretty clear from the 4 letters mindef replied that the appointment of matador gunner was conveniently avoided repeatedly. I believe that when CO rejected my deferment request, its pretty clear that he is out to cripple me.

Can anyone advise me what to do please? My anger grows on the pain every step gives me. This is no incident or accident. I was deliberately crippled by the CO. Nothing was done to him. It appears that reservist is a place where CO can go around hurting servicemen without any circumstances. I strongly believe SAF owes me an explanation in the very least, but how is that best done? I believe SAF will only reimburse me the medical bills, but the torture i have to endure for the rest of my life and affected job performance of my family members will not be compensated. I am not even 30 yet, and SAF have crippled me, seemingly intentionally. My competition against the foreigners at the workplace have been lost.

I merely highlighted the main points so as to keep the post short, else it would be very long. I thank you for reading and look forward to your advise.

 

[reddevil0728]

Hi people, i need some advise regarding my service injury, please chip in if you have experience or have any advises.

I am a PES C2L2, excused RMJ since enlistment. Foot problem. Trained vocation during NS, automotive technician specialist. During reservist, i was sent to this "service unit", vocation automotive specialist technician, whereas my appointment is Matador Gunner.

Highlighted to mindef twice through MP, mindef reassured that my PES status is fine with the vocation, and i am merely going to be trained in the matador and my vocation is still mechanic. Went in, became Machine Gunner instead, GPMG training and combat drill. My foot gave way in the training due to all sorts of running and drills. Went MO, MO said he can't do anything besides reminding my unit that i am excused RMJ. He said he has no say over my appointment and vocation.

Spoke to CO, appears that he knew my condition from the start but chose to continue with the machine gunner appointment due to lack of manpower. After that, out process.

Condition deteriorated and eventually i got to use crutches to move. Submitted service injury claim. Saw a few more MO, all said they can't do anything regarding my appointment. CO has the final say over my appointment and vocation. Eventually sent MP letter to mindef and they say they will change me to admin support. Condition further deteriorated to the state that both my legs were casted and on wheel chair. 2nd reservist came. Asked for deferment with specialist letter, but deferment rejected by CO. 4th MP letter sent and eventually they defer me from the reservist 1 day before.

During this period of time, suffered like hell. Family got to take leave to drive me to and fro hospital, mom quited her job to take care of my basic needs. My entire family is punished because CO chose to abuse me through my physical weakness, that is, my leg. Eventually i got to go for operation. I can't even walk properly now. I was an athlete but now i can't even walk properly. The reservist CO has crippled me. The work performance of my family members are badly affected due to the frequent ad hoc leave and disappearance from work.

Needless to say, i am now furious. The foreigners at my workplace were happy, less competition it seems. I can't work properly due to my inability to move around without support. My work performance is greatly discounted. And my medical bills has shot beyond the 20k mark. The service injury claim was only recently signed, and its said that it takes 9 months on average to clear.

I believe SAF and the CO owe me, my family and my loved ones an explanation. CO works overseas, so non contactable. I wanted to go up the chain of command to complain, but the division commander cannot be contacted, because the clerks told me that i can't speak to him. Called NS helpline several times to talk to higher authority and make formal complain, they promised to call back in days but months have passed and nothing.

I think a 5th MP letter is inevitable. However, i got a feeling that they are gonna claim that my vocation of automotive technician fits my PES status again, and now that they put me to become a admin support, no issues. Its pretty clear from the 4 letters mindef replied that the appointment of matador gunner was conveniently avoided repeatedly. I believe that when CO rejected my deferment request, its pretty clear that he is out to cripple me.

Can anyone advise me what to do please? My anger grows on the pain every step gives me. This is no incident or accident. I was deliberately crippled by the CO. Nothing was done to him. It appears that reservist is a place where CO can go around hurting servicemen without any circumstances. I strongly believe SAF owes me an explanation in the very least, but how is that best done? I believe SAF will only reimburse me the medical bills, but the torture i have to endure for the rest of my life and affected job performance of my family members will not be compensated. I am not even 30 yet, and SAF have crippled me, seemingly intentionally. My competition against the foreigners at the workplace have been lost.

I merely highlighted the main points so as to keep the post short, else it would be very long. I thank you for reading and look forward to your advise.

So you want an explanation and also you want compensation for more than just medical bills?

Seems like suing SAF is inevitable.

 

[megalord]

So you want an explanation and also you want compensation for more than just medical bills?

Seems like suing SAF is inevitable.

That came across my mind too. But won't suing SAF equates to suing the government? The chances of success are negligible ba?

 

[reddevil0728]

That came across my mind too. But won't suing SAF equates to suing the government? The chances of success are negligible ba?

Well yea, but it's still possible to sue the government. There are people who have done so, but usually I hear more of the failures than the success, 2 possibilities, they either there are generally mix success just that they suppress the success from being reported in order to not lose face OR it is really true that theres really very few success.

Well since you have almost literally exhausted all options (I dun really noe maybe there are other ways), throwing a lawyer letter may bring more attention? Or probably threaten to sue? Maybe before even reaching court they will try to mitigate or sth

 

[megalord]

Thanks for your kind reply. It appears that i am disadvantaged no matter what. Should have migrated before the reservist. Money cannot buy back health or fitness. Just called NS helpline to push the case again.

Now i am reconsidering if i should allow the press to interview me. However, if i do that, i have no doubts my next reservist is gonna be hell. Awww...

 

[reddevil0728]

Thanks for your kind reply. It appears that i am disadvantaged no matter what. Should have migrated before the reservist. Money cannot buy back health or fitness. Just called NS helpline to push the case again.

Now i am reconsidering if i should allow the press to interview me. However, if i do that, i have no doubts my next reservist is gonna be hell. Awww...

I think throwing a lawyer letter is more wise than blow it up. They rather handle you discreetly via legal ways than handle you if you blow it up cause they lose face.

To be honest I don't understand why you didn't fall out when you are not supposed to run when they make you run.

 

[megalord]

I think throwing a lawyer letter is more wise than blow it up. They rather handle you discreetly via legal ways than handle you if you blow it up cause they lose face.

To be honest I don't understand why you didn't fall out when you are not supposed to run when they make you run.

That is really sound advise. Actually we all highlighted to the instructors and PC, but they can only shrug their shoulders. However, the arrangement was made knowing that we are excused lower limps. 90% of the gunners are PES C with foot problems. The fact that i highlighted the case to mindef and my unit twice prior to the reservist gave CO ample warning. When i met CO, he acknowledged that he knowingly put us as gunners despite our medical condition due to lack of manpower.

So i hope you understand that i was not able to fall out based on medical excuses. Actually these months... I have regretted following orders. I should have risked being charged than knowingly being forced to cripple myself.

I don't know if the rest suffered injury as a result of that reservist though. If they do then we have a really huge number of people.

 

[reddevil0728]

That is really sound advise. Actually we all highlighted to the instructors and PC, but they can only shrug their shoulders. However, the arrangement was made knowing that we are excused lower limps. 90% of the gunners are PES C with foot problems. The fact that i highlighted the case to mindef and my unit twice prior to the reservist gave CO ample warning. When i met CO, he acknowledged that he knowingly put us as gunners despite our medical condition due to lack of manpower.

So i hope you understand that i was not able to fall out based on medical excuses. Actually these months... I have regretted following orders. I should have risked being charged than knowingly being forced to cripple myself.

Did you say it hurts and want to go see MO?

 

[megalord]

Did you say it hurts and want to go see MO?

I did the following day, cos the final one was arti drill, and that was what aggravated the foot to the max. Got trainers behind barking and pushing us on. After that we all gotta rush to go back camp via tonner. I thought the pain may go away but when it didn't the following day i reported. MO was helpless though. Printed out my excused RMJ and sent me back on ATT A.

We got an officer, dunno LTC or major, quite interesting one, he said,"When you wear this uniform you are a soldier! Don't tell me you can't run, can't shoot... blah blah blah"

 

[reddevil0728]

I did the following day, cos the final one was arti drill, and that was what aggravated the foot to the max. Got trainers behind barking and pushing us on. After that we all gotta rush to go back camp via tonner. I thought the pain may go away but when it didn't the following day i reported. MO was helpless though. Printed out my excused RMJ and sent me back on ATT A.

We got an officer, dunno LTC or major, quite interesting one, he said,"When you wear this uniform you are a soldier! Don't tell me you can't run, can't shoot... blah blah blah"

Hmmm. at least u did "cover" urself.

Yea i think u probably should consider legal action if you want compensation more than just medical bills. but you need to cover your grounds.

Probably you want to see mp for a 5th time and discuss with him your thoughts on getting legal advice. maybe he will be more on the ball to help u. but if it doesn't work then maybe legal advice is the way to go.

Who is ur MP?

 

[megalord]

Hmmm. at least u did "cover" urself.

Yea i think u probably should consider legal action if you want compensation more than just medical bills. but you need to cover your grounds.

Probably you want to see mp for a 5th time and discuss with him your thoughts on getting legal advice. maybe he will be more on the ball to help u. but if it doesn't work then maybe legal advice is the way to go.

Who is ur MP?

The MP in my vacinity is Lawrence Wong. I did consider going to Dr. Ng's meet people session however. People keep assuming that i stay in hougang for some reason. I didn't get to see him at all. First 2 times tended to by grass root. Told me that if anything goes wrong sue SAF. That was before the reservist. After the reservist, 3rd and 4th time my mother went, for its really inconvenient for me to wheel chair to the place. There the grass roots dare not answer, push to MP. Wonder where did the 2 dudes that recommended suing SAF gone to.

I have decided. Out of good will we will approach the MP for the 5th time. If it fails, i will approach the GPC for defense.

The claim may not go as smoothly as i thought, since i went private hospital eventually. I must say that the public hospital specialists ain't really that specialized. They jabbed me with steriods, which didn't work. Then cast it when they realized it didn't work. They are just clueless. The private specialist just took an MRI, and instantly knows the direct answer and solution. Had i chose the public hospital path, i may be still suffering deteriorating condition, whereas now, its on route to recovery. To date i have 3 jabs of steriods (cortisone), which put me in alot of danger due to weakened immune system and risk of tendon rupture. Clearly they don't know what they are doing when they decided to use steriods. For health sake, i am glad i chose private hospital. But it makes it super difficult to claim eventually. Anyway, i have depleted most of my savings and hardly have spare to go physio therapy, so learning how to walk myself.

Its quite stressful for me now also, for my job security is at very dangerous level. Should have risk being charged back then. Being charged is better than being crippled.

Such irony. I was awarded the best soldier award and some letters of appreciation for my NSF days, and they reward my hardwork now in reservist by crippling me. Previously i was proud of my NSF achievements. Now, just felt kinda dumb giving my best when i was a NSF. Had i not put in so much effort during NSF i wouldn't have felt this sore when they treat me so in reservist.

 

[reddevil0728]

The MP in my vacinity is Lawrence Wong. I did consider going to Dr. Ng's meet people session however. People keep assuming that i stay in hougang for some reason. I didn't get to see him at all. First 2 times tended to by grass root. Told me that if anything goes wrong sue SAF. That was before the reservist. After the reservist, 3rd and 4th time my mother went, for its really inconvenient for me to wheel chair to the place. There the grass roots dare not answer, push to MP. Wonder where did the 2 dudes that recommended suing SAF gone to.

I have decided. Out of good will we will approach the MP for the 5th time. If it fails, i will approach the GPC for defense.

The claim may not go as smoothly as i thought, since i went private hospital eventually. I must say that the public hospital specialists ain't really that specialized. They jabbed me with steriods, which didn't work. Then cast it when they realized it didn't work. They are just clueless. The private specialist just took an MRI, and instantly knows the direct answer and solution. Had i chose the public hospital path, i may be still suffering deteriorating condition, whereas now, its on route to recovery. To date i have 3 jabs of steriods (cortisone), which put me in alot of danger due to weakened immune system and risk of tendon rupture. Clearly they don't know what they are doing when they decided to use steriods. For health sake, i am glad i chose private hospital. But it makes it super difficult to claim eventually. Anyway, i have depleted most of my savings and hardly have spare to go physio therapy, so learning how to walk myself.

Its quite stressful for me now also, for my job security is at very dangerous level. Should have risk being charged back then. Being charged is better than being crippled.

Such irony. I was awarded the best soldier award and some letters of appreciation for my NSF days, and they reward my hardwork now in reservist by crippling me. Previously i was proud of my NSF achievements. Now, just felt kinda dumb giving my best when i was a NSF. Had i not put in so much effort during NSF i wouldn't have felt this sore when they treat me so in reservist.

Lawrence Wong is Minister of State for Defence man.

Whats GPC?

For service injury claims, I don't think you can claim back for private hospital treatment. Even if you sue them for compensation, I don't think you can do it on the point of you going to private hospital, you want to sue must sue on the point of compensation due to the loss of income because of your problem etc.

Should always care about health over anything. When they force you to do something and you can't do it, you tell them, anything happen to me you (as in the person who make you do it) will be responsible not SAF.

 

[megalord]

Lawrence Wong is Minister of State for Defence man.

Whats GPC?

For service injury claims, I don't think you can claim back for private hospital treatment. Even if you sue them for compensation, I don't think you can do it on the point of you going to private hospital, you want to sue must sue on the point of compensation due to the loss of income because of your problem etc.

Should always care about health over anything. When they force you to do something and you can't do it, you tell them, anything happen to me you (as in the person who make you do it) will be responsible not SAF.

Oh well, lets see what the people we vote into parliament can do for us. GPC is the Government Parliamentary Committee. A colleague told me that they keep the various departments/ministry in check. I hope i don't have to go to that stage, but if they insist i will.

Haiz... So cannot get back the money spent in treatment. Personal insurance cannot claim because they claim that the problem is hereditary. Many people have this hereditary condition but will never suffer the problem in their entire lifetime unless aggravated. But SAF forced it to occur. Really vomit blood. I believe i was excused RMJ to prevent aggravating this condition.

Actually no matter what we tell them to be liable for, they will use SAF to shield themselves when the issue is blown. Its simply because everything happens in reservist, and the shield is really thick to penetrate. It would appear that this CO has abused the system.

Because this condition is hereditary, i am really concerned for my next generations to come as well. We can have school principals that commit mistakes, scandals etc. That is their personal matter and unlikely to affect the kids. But having CO commit mistakes or making wrong decisions means injury or even death. What if in 20-30 years to come, my kid kenna a CO like what i am experiencing now. CO order my child/children to injure themselves. If i know this can happen but i didn't stop it i will hate myself for eternity. As a Singaporean, i have to stop those inhumane from injuring or killing the next generations. If it fails, i won't mind rerooting myself and my future family to safeguard from being abused.

I kinda hope retribution exists. The CO have children.

A ex-colonel told me,"The asset in Singapore are the 2 legged creatures, not the buildings or anything else. The safety and well being of my men is of the utmost importance." Well, it seems that the humane ones have retired.

 

[reddevil0728]

Oh well, lets see what the people we vote into parliament can do for us. GPC is the Government Parliamentary Committee. A colleague told me that they keep the various departments/ministry in check. I hope i don't have to go to that stage, but if they insist i will.

Haiz... So cannot get back the money spent in treatment. Personal insurance cannot claim because they claim that the problem is hereditary. Many people have this hereditary condition but will never suffer the problem in their entire lifetime unless aggravated. But SAF forced it to occur. Really vomit blood. I believe i was excused RMJ to prevent aggravating this condition.

Actually no matter what we tell them to be liable for, they will use SAF to shield themselves when the issue is blown. Its simply because everything happens in reservist, and the shield is really thick to penetrate. It would appear that this CO has abused the system.

Because this condition is hereditary, i am really concerned for my next generations to come as well. We can have school principals that commit mistakes, scandals etc. That is their personal matter and unlikely to affect the kids. But having CO commit mistakes or making wrong decisions means injury or even death. What if in 20-30 years to come, my kid kenna a CO like what i am experiencing now. CO order my child/children to injure themselves. If i know this can happen but i didn't stop it i will hate myself for eternity. As a Singaporean, i have to stop those inhumane from injuring or killing the next generations. If it fails, i won't mind rerooting myself and my future family to safeguard from being abused.

I kinda hope retribution exists. The CO have children.

A ex-colonel told me,"The asset in Singapore are the 2 legged creatures, not the buildings or anything else. The safety and well being of my men is of the utmost importance." Well, it seems that the humane ones have retired.

Is GPC even approachable by the public???

Regardless of what kind of service injury, I believe you are entitled to free treatment at government hospital. If you want go private kind, but you will only be able to claim like 20 bucks or so? So it's not just because of your problem thats why private cannot claim, but rather it's the system.

Well it's too late to say this but you should have just stand your ground. Health is something they wouldn't want to play play when you really stand your ground and not be a push over.

 

[derrickgoh]

C2L2 is non combat fit. GPMG gunner is combat vocation. WTF??!!

 

[megalord]

Is GPC even approachable by the public???

Regardless of what kind of service injury, I believe you are entitled to free treatment at government hospital. If you want go private kind, but you will only be able to claim like 20 bucks or so? So it's not just because of your problem thats why private cannot claim, but rather it's the system.

Well it's too late to say this but you should have just stand your ground. Health is something they wouldn't want to play play when you really stand your ground and not be a push over.

Ah, seems like this colleague of mine got links. Will approach him when the need arises. Good to have good hearted Sgreans around. During this period of time, i can clearly and distinctly see the diff in locals and foreigners. Locals show more sympathy, will give way de. Some will push the door open and wait for me to pass. So far no such experiences with foreigners. One lady with few kids recently just pulled her children far far away from me with a disgusted face. Its so epic that i will probably remember it for life.

Actually if i had to make a choice again, i will go private. The public hospital consultants i met simply don't know how to treat this problem. I jumped 2 public hospital until i was recommended to this private specialist @ the 2nd hospital. This condition can drag super long until the right treatment is given. I am soon approaching 30, i don't have many years to waste in bed. The market is so competitive and i can't have time wasted in bed. Even if SAF pays me my original pay which is peanuts, it will be hard for me to come back after a year or 2. They will not be responsible if i cannot promote, and neither will they if i lost 100 job opportunities. So instead of wasting time and youth away, i decided to go for professional treatment. That 20k can still be earned back as long as i can recover and remain competitive. I will even offer SAF 200k to return me my health and fitness and lost time. Even 2 million.

I thank you for your kind advises and words. I really do. I will stand my ground, and even if they don't compensate me, i want them to be responsible for the cruelty i experienced. Have any CO been thrown into DB before?

When a man no longer treat others as men, no longer is he human.

 

[j_t_fusion]

nowadays no such thing as combat fit or non-combat fit, only what type of activities you can do and cannot do.

so long as you can go for live range then you are considered combat fit.

 

[reddevil0728]

Ah, seems like this colleague of mine got links. Will approach him when the need arises. Good to have good hearted Sgreans around. During this period of time, i can clearly and distinctly see the diff in locals and foreigners. Locals show more sympathy, will give way de. Some will push the door open and wait for me to pass. So far no such experiences with foreigners. One lady with few kids recently just pulled her children far far away from me with a disgusted face. Its so epic that i will probably remember it for life.

Actually if i had to make a choice again, i will go private. The public hospital consultants i met simply don't know how to treat this problem. I jumped 2 public hospital until i was recommended to this private specialist @ the 2nd hospital. This condition can drag super long until the right treatment is given. I am soon approaching 30, i don't have many years to waste in bed. The market is so competitive and i can't have time wasted in bed. Even if SAF pays me my original pay which is peanuts, it will be hard for me to come back after a year or 2. They will not be responsible if i cannot promote, and neither will they if i lost 100 job opportunities. So instead of wasting time and youth away, i decided to go for professional treatment. That 20k can still be earned back as long as i can recover and remain competitive. I will even offer SAF 200k to return me my health and fitness and lost time. Even 2 million.

I thank you for your kind advises and words. I really do. I will stand my ground, and even if they don't compensate me, i want them to be responsible for the cruelty i experienced. Have any CO been thrown into DB before?

When a man no longer treat others as men, no longer is he human.

I don't think it will be in public knowledge if there r any high ranking officials that got thrown into prison

 

[megalord]

C2L2 is non combat fit. GPMG gunner is combat vocation. WTF??!!

Hi friend, thanks for replying.

This is where the CO is playing the grey area. My vocation is automotive technician specialist, which is non combat vocation. However, my appointment is a Matador Gunner, which eventually became GPMG Gunner.

That was what mindef was looking at, my vocation fits my PES status. However, they didn't notice the appointment of a gunner. Somehow i was wondering, does mindef not know the diff between the appointment and vocation?

But this will be cool:
Vocation: Admin Support
Appointment: Fighter Pilot

So if that fellow crash and die, one can still argue that his vocation fits his PES status.

 

[reddevil0728]

Hi friend, thanks for replying.

This is where the CO is playing the grey area. My vocation is automotive technician specialist, which is non combat vocation. However, my appointment is a Matador Gunner, which eventually became GPMG Gunner.

That was what mindef was looking at, my vocation fits my PES status. However, they didn't notice the appointment of a gunner. Somehow i was wondering, does mindef not know the diff between the appointment and vocation?

But this will be cool:
Vocation: Admin Support
Appointment: Fighter Pilot

So if that fellow crash and die, one can still argue that his vocation fits his PES status.

Those doing paper work 1 wouldn't really noe 1 la