45 YEARS OF NS

Besides being the guarantor of Singapore's peace and security, National Service (NS) as a social institution has brought together people of different backgrounds and generations. Here's what servicemen, past and present, and their family members have to say about their NS experiences.

Same same, but different. That's what NS is after 45 years. Different in the sense that those who did it in the past will find NS today very unfamiliar from what they had experienced, and vice versa.

Fathers may remember NS as a time when they, as young men clad in heavy helmets and Temasek Green combat fatigues, charged up Peng Kang Hill with their trusty AR-15 assault rifles.

Sons, on the other hand, know it as days spent out in the jungle without the Internet, and being equipped with technology that enabled them to call on a variety of assets in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Yet, aspects of NS then and now remain the same. Methods of training have evolved over the years, but what's evergreen are things like the camaraderie formed when men go through hardships together, and the maturity gained through the responsibilities they took on during NS.

This year's theme NS: From Fathers to Sons reflects the idea that the duty of ensuring the peace and security of this country cuts across generations.

As NS turns 45, besides reminding the current generation or the "Sons" of their duty to take up the baton of protecting Singapore, it's also timely to appreciate the "Fathers", men who have given their two-and-a-half or two years to serve. Family members who provide support to their men from the sidelines deserve recognition as well.

In this story, PIONEER speaks to three groups of people from the Army, Navy and Air Force on their NS experiences, how they contributed and what they've gained from it.

Just like dad

NS can be unnerving, but it helps to have a dad who dishes out advice and shares his military experiences with you, says Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Shamsul Bin Haron.

"Take training seriously and listen to your instructors. When things get difficult, just tahan (endure) and always aim to be the best."

This was Mr Haron Bin Ghani's golden advice to his son Shamsul, before sending him off to Pulau Tekong for his Basic Military Training (BMT) in October 2008.

"Even though my dad's NS experience was quite different from mine, there are things that never change, like having to listen to orders, being disciplined, being on time, and learning basic soldiering skills.

"With his advice in mind, coping with NS wasn't a problem for me," said LTA (NS) Shamsul, who went on to the Officer Cadet School and was subsequently posted back to the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) School 1 as an instructor.

Teh tarik rivers, kung fu shoes

Besides giving time-tested advice, Mr Haron, who enlisted in 1977, shared his NS experiences with LTA (NS) Shamsul.

"During my time in 4 SIR (4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment) as a rifleman, we used to run 10km in our Full Battle Order, and do push-ups and sit-ups after every kilometre. And we ran in kung fu shoes, those shoes with really hard soles! It was really quite siong (tough)," he recalled with a laugh.

He added: "Before every lunch, we had to do chin-ups and push-ups. Whatever food was put on our trays, even noodles that tasted horrible, we had to finish all of it."

One story the 52-year-old security officer never tires of telling is the time he trained in jungles overseas with only 10 more days to his Operationally Ready Date (ORD).

Narrating his experience, Mr Haron said: "After crossing a river, which was brownish-yellow in colour, like teh tarik (hot Indian milk tea), we opened up the Maggi Mee in our field packs, only to find that it was soggy from the river water. But we ate it anyway, both men and officers."

He reminisced: "We also did a topo(graphical) exercise in the dense jungle. The maps we were given showed very little detail, and we took two full days to reach our objective. My section was the only one that made it through to the end. Those were really hard times that we'll remember for life."

Mr Haron's (left) NS stories and tips helped LTA (NS) Shamsul prepare for his enlistment into NS.

Training with heart

Those days of nasty noodles and kung fu shoes have now passed. During LTA (NS) Shamsul's NS, he was shod in Asics footwear, and briyani and chicken rice were some of the grub he enjoyed at the cookhouse.

While the conditions in which he did his NS were much better compared to what his father went through, training was still tough, said LTA (NS) Shamsul.

He cited an example of how his BMT company was put through its paces under a section commander who was a Commando: "During the IFC (Individual Field Craft) training, we did leopard crawls for two hours until we suffered abrasions and cuts on our hands and knees. Before the wounds could heal, we went through field camp, and did more leopard crawls in the rain.

"When one of the commanders saw me having difficulty doing the leopard crawl, he scolded me for not reporting my injuries and got me to see a medic even though I said I could continue."

He continued: "At that moment, I learnt something. Even when your instructor puts you through tough training, he always has your welfare at heart."

A changed man

As a father, it was gratifying for Mr Haron to see his son go through NS and come out the better for it.

He explained why: "Shamsul's totally changed. He used to procrastinate and sigh a lot when asked to do things. Now he just gets up and does it.

"I'm also proud that he became an officer. I told him to always remember that you might not know the struggles your men are going through, so never push them to the brink, and always take care of them."

LTA (NS) Shamsul, who now works as a technician in Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Ltd, also noticed a change in himself: "NS woke me up. I decided that if I carried a poor attitude during NS, it wouldn't benefit me in future."

He added: "Instead of wasting two years, I might as well take the opportunity to learn something and to lead, so I learnt to be disciplined and responsible."

LTA (NS) Shamsul's 20-year-old brother, Muhammad Sharil Bin Haron, recently received a letter to go for his medical check-up prior to enlistment.

When asked what advice he would give his brother before he embarks on BMT, he replied: "The same advice my dad gave me. That worked for me."

Opportunity to lead
"NS is a time when you can show your leadership qualities. When you take care of your team mates and encourage them to go further, you can excel as a team."
- Private Prabhu Nadarajah, 21, Company Quartermaster, Supply Training Camp

A life-changing experience
"I've seen operators, specialists and officers coming into NS with a negative attitude, but by the time their ORD comes around, they've learnt values that have enabled them to become successful people today."
- Ms Amanda Giam, 33, Duty Terminal Manager, Changi Airport Group, former RSAF Regular, 160 SQN alumni

Defending our home
"A lot of people would rather get on with their lives and not have to do NS. But think about it. We are a small island. If there's no NS, anyone can just take over our country. Who's going to defend us then?"
- Mr Haron

National service: A family affair

Lance Corporal (LCP) Ho Ka Chee may be the only one serving NS in his family, but his family members are very much a part of his NS experience.

In a montage of polaroid prints that showed family portraits, one stood out. It was wrapped in a Ziploc bag and sealed with Scotch Tape.

"I made this photo waterproof so that I could bring it outfield with me during my BMT," LCP Ho explained.

"When you're out in the jungle, it's nice to look at something that reminds you of home," said the 20-year-old Full-time National Serviceman (NSF), who began his NS with the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) in March 2011.

Capturing the moment

He credited his elder sister Hui Shian for the polaroid montage, which showed him posing with family members while sporting different attires, such as the No. 4 combat fatigue, Navy No. 3 uniform and Navy physical training kit.

He said: "In NDU, the POP (Passing Out Parade) is not open to family members, so my sister decided to make up for the lost photo opportunities by snapping photos of me whenever I booked out."

Ms Ho chipped in: "A few of my friends took photos with their brothers at their brothers' POP in (Pulau) Tekong or at the Marina Bay, but I didn't get a chance to do that.

"When he's back at home, I try to take more photos of him so that I have shots of him in uniform."

The photos, now pinned onto a cork board in LCP Ho's bedroom, used to be carried in his wallet, stuck on the cabinet door in his bunk, or wedged in his notebook. "Looking at these photos motivated me during challenging times in NDU," LCP Ho said.

Care for sailor

They may not know much about NS, but the women in the Ho family know how to shower their NSF with care.

For example, a tidy room, a cup of bubble tea and a Kentucky Fried Chicken meal are things that Singaporeans take for granted, but to LCP Ho, these are pleasant surprises that his mother prepares for him during weekends. His maternal grandmother also regularly brews tonic soups to help strengthen his body.

Once, he even woke up to find his torn Naval Combat Rig mended overnight by his mother. He said: "To others, such gestures may not mean much, but it's my grandma's and mum's way of showing their support for me doing NS. It's subtle, but I really appreciate it."

Like most mothers, Madam Low Lay Thin's initial response to LCP Ho's enlistment was apprehension, which explained why she took it upon herself to build up his health.

"He's always had a sensitive nose, and when he first enlisted, I was always worried about his nose giving him trouble during training. But after some time, he managed to adapt and his health is now much better," she said.

Pillar of support

For LCP Ho, his time at NDU was undoubtedly the toughest period in his NS, but it lasted only three-and-a-half months. He was bumped from the course as he did not meet the physical fitness requirements.

"Initially, I felt very lost, because you've been training so hard with the unit and suddenly, you no longer belong there," said LCP Ho.

He recalled how he broke the news to his mother then: "I was worried about my future after NDU, but she encouraged me to look on the bright side, saying that since I managed to endure the training in NDU, my NS life can only get better.

"That's when I started to think of my out-of-course experience as a new beginning of my NS life."

Emerging a star

His mother was right; things did look up after he was posted to patrol vessel RSS Dauntless as a communications operator.

In end-2011, he participated in Surya Bhaskara Jaya, a socio-civic mission in Indonesia, where he painted and refurbished schools, and gave out presents to the children there. He cited that as one of the most memorable experiences with his ship.

He also considers it a privilege to be part of RSS Dauntless: "The officers and chiefs really take care of juniors like me and they guide us very well. It's a very cohesive environment."

As an affirmation of his positive attitude, he was recently awarded the Dauntless Star Award, an annual award that recognises the best-performing sailor in the ship. "I'm looking forward to seeing my picture along the squadron corridor," he said with a smile.

That's another photo to add to his polaroid montage.

Support for their staff
"When any NSman in my company gets called up for ICT (In-Camp Training), my immediate boss will start to delegate work to the other colleagues, or even take up some of the workload so that the NSman can fulfill his NS liabilities without having to worry about work. Everyone's very understanding, so I think the next time I get called up for ICT, I can rest assured that my work will be taken care of."
- Mr Jackson Kwan, Service Engineer, Ping Engineering (S) Pte Ltd, former navy regular who worked as a trainer in the Institute of Maritime Operations and Systems (IMOS)

Tougher after NS
"Doing NS in the Navy taught me to multi-task and cope with stressful conditions. After being trained to sail for long hours, I've learnt to stretch my limits, and I'm mentally and physically tougher than I used to be."
- LCP Ho

Coming home to 160

ORD or even ROD (Run-out Date) - These 3-letter words don't stop the men of 160 Squadron (SQN) from coming back to serve again and again.

There's a common term used to describe the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) 160 SQN: Siao on. A blend of Hokkien and English, that's military lingo to describe someone who's ridiculously enthusiastic and "on the ball".

But it's not what the men did during their NSF days that earned them this title; it's what they did after their ORD.

One, they look forward to their In-Camp Training (ICT) call-ups. Two, they organise regular events to help the squadron's NSmen and active personnel keep in touch with one another. Three, some of those who have completed their NS cycles voluntarily bore the cost of going overseas just to participate in the squadron's live-firing exercises. Now that is siao on.

"We're very fortunate to be part of a squadron where the NS spirit is so strong. We feel very happy coming back because our buddies are here, so our In-Camp is like homecoming," said 38-year-old Captain (CPT) (NS) Jayson Goh, an Officer Commanding (OC) in 160 SQN. The squadron operates the 35mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft artillery gun.

He added with a laugh: "People may say we're crazy, but that kind of bonding is also something that people are quite envious of, because they don't get to experience it."

Staying connected

The strong bonds shared among the 160 SQN NSmen are largely attributed to the presence of an alumni, of which CPT (NS) Goh is president of the committee.

In the year 2000 when the Squadron celebrated its 30th anniversary, the alumni was formed by a pioneering batch of officers, which include Mr Daniel Lim, Mr Arthur Tay and Mr Hsien Yong Kin. The alumni aimed to connect past and present NSmen with the active servicemen, and to provide a platform to share the squadron's rich heritage and esprit de corp.

To do that, the alumni committee organises dinner gatherings to celebrate events such as Chinese New Year and 160 SQN's anniversaries. NSmen also regularly test their fitness against the active servicemen in anniversary runs.

To show their support for the squadron, about 17 alumni members have even forked out money to participate in an overseas live-firing exercise.

"It sends a very strong message to the active personnel; that their predecessors, some of whom have already finished their NS cycles, will go to such lengths to provide moral support. This is the Gunners' spirit that you can't buy with money," said CPT (NS) Goh.

NS no enough

When asked what led him to serve in the alumni committee, platoon commander LTA (NS) Kuah Tong Teck, who is 23, replied: "As an NSman, I still have the capacity to serve, but as an alumni member, I can do even more to help preserve this bond in the unit, to link senior NSmen with those from the junior batches like me... I don't see NS as a liability; it's just my desire to contribute in whatever way I can."

CPT (NS) Chia Yujin, another OC in 160 SQN, felt that joining the alumni was his way of paying it forward. The 32-year-old said: "When I was a young officer, our instructors used to point out to us the professionalism and dedication of the squadron's NSmen.

"They (the NSmen) were our role models then, and I wanted to be like them after my ORD."

Preserving the Gunners' spirit

For others like 160 SQN's Deputy Commanding Officer Major (MAJ) (NS) Poh Cher Kiang, it's the friendships formed over many years that motivates him to keep on serving.

The 38-year-old, who is on the Reservist on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service scheme, said: "Besides wanting to share the experiences of us senior guys with the younger batches, I like coming back to familiar faces, and I enjoy the camaraderie that I share with my batch boys."

CPT (NS) Chia agreed: "Even after 10 years since my ORD, I still feel very close to the unit due to the activities organised by the alumni."

"We've developed such strong bonds that if it ever comes to war, these are the people I will fight for, and I know they will fight for me as well," he said emphatically.

That, perhaps, is what the Gunners' spirit is about.

Shaping our lives
"NS is the university of life. There are many life lessons to be learnt in NS which you will never be taught in the universities, like being disciplined and managing people. Probably 90 percent of who I am today is shaped by NS."
- Mr Ho Teng Chee, 36, Director, Asia Insurance Services Pte Ltd, 160 SQN alumni

Take the NS Quiz

You may have gone through two or more than two years of National Service (NS), but how much do you know about NS? Take this quiz to find out!

1. How many recruits were in the first batch who enlisted for NS on 17 Aug 1967?
a) 400
b) 900
c) 1,200

2. Approximately how many men have enlisted for NS so far?
a) 400,000
b) 600,000
c) 900,000

3. When they first enlist, there is a mandatory stay-in period for new recruits to help them better adjust to NS life. This confinement period was reduced from _________ weeks to two weekends in 1979.
a) three
b) four
c) five

4. In which month and year was the first Officer Cadet Course for Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) held?
a) June 1965
b) May 1968
c) April 1970

5. Before _________, NSFs who had completed their active service were called Reservists. To emphasise preparedness, the term was changed to ORNSmen (Operationally Ready National Servicemen).
a) 1989
b) 1994
c) 1998

6. When soldiers march as a group, the commands are given in Malay. What does the command "Kekanan Pusing" mean?
a) Stand at ease
b) Quick march
c) Right turn

7. The Singapore Maritime Command was renamed the Republic of Singapore Navy, and the Singapore Air Defence Command was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force on this date.
a) 1 Apr 1975
b) 1 Apr 1977
c) 1 Apr 1980

8. "Gabra" is a term used to describe soldiers who:
a)Return from outfield training with tan lines
b)Have the most powerful swings during bayonet fighting
c)Are prone to make mistakes when under pressure

9. What does the "A" in SAR 21 stand for?
a) Armoured
b) Agile
c) Assault

10. The Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), which tests a soldier's physical fitness and motor skills, was introduced in which year?
a) 1980
b) 1985
c) 1988

Answer the quiz at mindef.sg/NS45pnrquiz by 15 Jul and stand to win a Sinn 656-L Pilot Watch (worth $2,600) courtesy of The Hour Glass Limited!