Army memoirs: Pilot
I caught sight of his tattoos first up.
I was a newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant, having just completed 42 weeks of training, 19 of which were spent in Officer Cadet School (OCS) at the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute – Military Institute (SAFTI-MI). Heck of a long name isn’t it; they decided SAFTI-MI sounded nicer than SAFTI. The next 23 weeks were more tortuous. I had been training up to platoon level as an infantry. Now, i got the posting of my wish – Armour. In 23 weeks, i was to learn all about being either an Armour Infantry (AI) soldier or a Tank Crewman. Not just that, i beg your pardon. We were in School of Armour – Armour Officer Cadet Course. That’s right. We had to learn all the roles up to being a Platoon Commander – that includes all the organic elements of an AI and tank platoon. Those with the most promise (top 10%) will get a Sword of Merit (SOM) and the top cadet, a Sword of Honour (SOH). These top graduands will then have a chance to go for further training later on, so that when they come back to serve as a conscript (once again) in their 10- or 13-year cycle of “reservist” National Service, they serve as company commanders instead. One level up. The rest? They are awarded what they call it fondly a Sword of Participation (SOP). Just ordinary officers. Just like me. We stood there on the parade square, listening to the President of Singapore say his piece, and then these very words,
“I, the President of the Republic of Singapore, reposing special trust in you… hereby commission you, as officers, of the Singapore Armed Forces.”
Graduands of 55/04 Officer Cadet Course throw their peak caps and berets (only commandos, guardsmen and armour warriors had red, khaki and black berets respectively) into the sky!
Today i am starting a series on Army memoirs; hence the title. Pilot. The first of a series. I have no idea how long this will last. I hope you bear with me, as i recount my National Service / Conscript days. I fear that as new medical knowledge displace these valuable experiences from my hippocampus, i forget them. My brother, an AI officer (who then further trained as a reconnaissance scout PC), advised me to start writing them soon,
“lest you forget….”
I was posted to an active Armoured Battalion, to serve the remainder of my mandatory 2year-2month time as a conscript, as a platoon commander. They said that taking on a command role, as opposed to an instructor or staff role, was the toughest. You have men’s lives under your charge. You are responsible for each and every one of their actions, in camp, and if you care enough, out of camp. Of course, this was not always possible. But it doesn’t matter – they come under your charge, and if any ill-behaviour on their part or mishap occurs, you answer. Yeap, you there, newly commissioned 2nd-lieut. Not your sergeants, or platoon sergeants (who generally have more experience than you and are full-time soldiers; for them, the military is their career.) But you there with the ‘chocolate bar’.
[picture of one bar]
Frightening? If i say i wasn’t, i would be lying. Every PC enters into his command role with trepidation. It just isn’t the same as holding a PC role in OCS. In OCS, you lead fellow cadets who are highly motivated soldiers, determined to do well every second, even when playing the role of a seemingly-less-important company medic, for example. Now that we enter a unit, we get men who are fresh out of high school, sometimes even middle or grammar school. They are of a different educational status (all officers are either diploma or A-level holders). And that’s not just it. For me, they were of a different family background.
I come from a humble but complete home of 5. My parents love me, and so do my elder siblings. Some of these soldiers tell me they have this and that problem in the family. They are struggling to make ends meet. Some come from broken families. Some have been hanging out on the streets, jobless, out of school for months, even years. Yet i on the other hand, have domestic help to wash my laundry and clean the house for me, go figure.
Such issues confronted me as i took command. Thankfully, i had an “upper-study”. Also, i entered a 1st-year battalion. That means, these young men have just enlisted into the military as conscripts. They are new to the whole concept of conscription and what comes along with it. On the other hand, i was entering into my 2nd year as a conscript. I had a slight upper hand. Or so i thought.
Hey Jeff,
No offence. But you seemed to be so enamoured of National Service. I understand the pride you carry as an officer, however I cant help but feel that you are either 1) out of touch, or 2) totally misinformed.
Maybe you don’t know, but a reasonable amount of people (I wouldnt say majority wihout statistical backings, but I would love to assert so) dislike NS. While you fall head-over-heels for NS, others would usually wax lyrical over how terrible and dreadful NS is.
Im not trying to dispute your patriotism or gusto. you have the perogative to enjoy your NS life or to feel proud about the armed forces. Its perfectly legitimate, and I have no problems with that. I just want to highlight, that PERHAPS, people like you are few and far between, and to point it out to you that the general feeling towards NS isnt one of enjoyment but rather aversion and detestment. What is it about NS that truly captured your heart? And why do you think that there are so many people who feel so differently from you?
ah very good. i kind of expected something like that might come along.
these will be covered in later posts. for now, i can just say, whether one likes it or not, the 2 years are mandatory. take it positively, or detest it with your life. everyone serves 2 years; choose your attitude as to how you approach it. and most around me who chose the former, enjoy it much better. and i’m not referring to the highly motivated cadets, but men and sergeants as well. many things in life are not within our control, but what’s within your control is perhaps an individual’s perspective and *choice* of perspective.
good points you bring up. i like it. keep them coming, and keep a look out for more posts to come. thanks a lot for your comments. very much appreciated, yonanz.
Np man. Glad u didnt launch into a defensive posture like what many people tend to do nowadays whenever they face a question that carries a “different” tone from them. Thank you for your reply.
Actually what you have said (regarding perspectives) is true, although it is somewhat platitudinous. I have, and I believe most of us, have heard it many times before.
I am not seeking any converts here, or trying to say something along the line of ” you are wrong to like NS. these are the reasons why you are wrong..” I think it is perfectly legitimate or natural for people like you to enjoy or revel in the experience of NS. But ultimately my point is, what is it about NS that so captivates you? Im really interested in this. Its just personal sharing and stuff, nothing more than that.
also, regarding the “perspective” thing, I think using this analogy would bring my point across better. think of one food u hate, so so much. Personally, I hate sea cucumbers and brinjals (YUCK YUCK YUCK!!!). You are right, if these things are mandatory, and if they are shoved down my mouth, I literally have no choice but to stomach the revulsion. But I still don’t like the food, and i will still puke whenever I come anywhere close to tasting it. heh. Hence I dont really think its possible for me to tell myself to choose “the attitude” and approach using a different “perspective”. No matter how much i try to convince myself, I would still retch upon tasting brinjals or sea cucumbers.and I would still detest them. So yes, mandatory doesnt mean that my intrinsic taste will change.
At best, it will be mostly be collective commiseration -” Everyone has to do it. So Im no different” ” These 2 years are mandatory, no choice, lar!”. But these still do not, and cannot change the my dislike for NS.
But nvm I digress. The difference here, lies in the fact that you have genuine esteem and adoration for NS. why is this so? would love to just hear your experience. Nvm if it wouldnt change my view on NS, at least I understand why some people like NS, after all.
Hi Jeff,
Quite glad u like to be in the Amour family as in my case. I had fond memories of NS which i completed 21 yrs ago, still in touch with my platoon/course/bmt days. IMO, that’s basically rites of passage for a S’porean male. However, i think it will leave a sour taste when u hv your reservist obligations interfering with yr career n family, i suppose that’s where u will feel the competiton between a born n bred guy here n a good time economic migrant. To me, NS is not a waste of time, how it is managed after is another thing.
Jeff,
NS means different things to different people.
I have finished off the whole damn thing about NS, that showed how old I am. During my first 2 years, I was the lowest rank possible in the army. Then, because of my diploma, I got two stripes and got to “stay” on for another half a year. Army had its moments for me, but most of the time, they are not pleasant. It was tough but I survived without losing a limp. The reservist training is definitely disruptive to our careers, as most will attest to it.
The operational men (not those 8-6 guys) have the roughest time, the officers & specialists have some better times. The scholars are automatically destined for bigger things.
scholars are not really automatically destined for bigger things. they are given more opportunities to do so. but can we really be sour about it? the gov’t spent more money on them for education, etc, much more is expected of them, hence more chances to do stuff, take on things, etc.
thats how i see it tho. not all scholars become colonels or generals. some ‘tio tiao’ at major or liet-colonel and start their own farm.
thanks Gary and listener for your comments. the NS reservist is something i can’t write about since i never experienced it. i take it from you about the disruptiveness. i heard some people take it like a 2-week holiday and time to catch up with platoon mates? good for biz contacts too apparently. free money for keeping fit and sharp.
oo. I work with a reservist unit so I know how it feels like to be an Nsmen inside out.
I would comfortably say that most in the unit, if not all, would grab the opportunity to “siam” in camp trainings should it arise. Many have personally lamented to me over the disruptiveness of reservist training and how troublesome the whole thing is. Drink caterers, investment bankers, businessmen, F&B workers, you name it ,we have it. Of course, we cant ignore the few who are passionate and enthusiastic, and who genuinely enjoy incamps. But this lot is negligible compared to the majority Nsmen who find ICT a hassle.
“i take it from you about the disruptiveness. i heard some people take it like a 2-week holiday and time to catch up with platoon mates? good for biz contacts too apparently. free money for keeping fit and sharp.”
just to add on. These are urban legends. Sounds nice but reality is far from it. Reservist training is nowhere near that. At least for the Nsmen in my unit.
Jeff,
Oh, you have not go for any reservist training? I will wait till you finish your study and if this blog is still around and you have gone for your reservist training (if you do go), I will be back to listen to your real world experiences with your men in reservist training.
How long will it be?
The problems of ICT were not so acute in the early years. As Singapore moves towards globalisation and the influx of foreign talents becoming more bigger, these Singaporean men find it harder to compete.
You should read more about how career opportunities are affected when employers are looking for new employees. The employers have two choices:
1) Singapore men who have to go reservist training yearly and a little more costly
2) Foreigners who have NO RESERVIST TRAINING and cost less
Sir, you are not in the game yet to really experience the pains of the reservists. Our 2 or 2.5 years are just short transitions of life where you run up and down the hills, touch these walls and that walls. The real world is a lot more different. Yours will also be vastly different from some of us.
Sir, I will wait, if you do have the opportunity.
he needn’t worry actually.
he’s gona be a doctor next time and as far as I know, doctors (and other professionals lawyers accountants etc) are always in demand and dont suffer the same job instability and insecurity as people from other professions. There is rarely, if ever, such a thing as an unemployed doctor/lawyer in SG. Correct me if Im wrong.
i guess i’m more fortunate in that sense that the medical profession is a generally more stable career, however that does not mean that i will be absolved of the problems of ICT. Foreign talent does not exclude doctors, especially with the recent opening up of recognising more foreign medical degrees. will it affect a Singaporean male doctor’s career progression in terms of getting into a specialty program, or leadership opportunities (e.g. chief resident, etc)?
the medical profession is not excluded. and with that, i don’t even think i will tell the army i’ve got a medical degree (i won’t do my internship here if possible, hence no registration with SMC). then i might not need to convert to a MO. i don’t know if its possible though.
I work wtih a Medical unit btw, so i would like to add that I know reservist doctors inside out as well.
your right. frankly speaking, there are many loopholes in SAF. There are some Man who are doctors but chose not to convert to MO. By right, if you are a foreign trained doctor you are obliged to go for the medical officer (conversion) cadet course, but of course sometimes things go by left
I got a maxillofacial surgeon who is a corporal ROD-ing in 2 years times. You see, being a medical offr means more responsibility and also longer reservist period (liable till 50 years of age, instead of the conventional 40). And shortfall of medical officers is a perpetual problem in SAF. In my unit for instance, my superiors will do anything to sniff out those medical officers, “pull them in”, and will be most reluctant to let them go when the time comes. Some people, like my good fren (the dental surgeon) feels that probably he would rather enjoy the 10 years cut than carry the 3 bar on his shoulder and serve for 10 years longer. Different people have different preferences – Some are on the ball, some are not.
From my personal experience, doctors are really a very privileged lot in the armed forces. I am not conjuring some unsubstantiated claim, this is true to the extent of what I have seen and experienced while working with the medical unit. In fact, you can defer easily and simply come back after you have completed your specialties etc etc and settled down. Most doctors start their first in camp way into their thirties. This is because of all the post grad trainings etc etc and deferment is usually very easily granted for them (docs help docs). So I dont think it poses much of a problem.
In fact, just from my personal experience alone, I find that doctors in my unit do not begrudge ICTs as much as the Men. The concerned and the worried are those who face job insecurity, competition for their job position, starting up a new business, moving to a new job etc. I think doctors have none of these problems. and the medical fraternity is quite unlike any other. Doctors look out for one another and the medical community is a closely knitted bunch. Foreign doctors might be on the rise, but the skeletal structure of the medical community is still designed by, and for singaporean physicians. It is highly unlikely that the increase in foreign doctors would topple this balance and threaten the status quo. but for other professions, the threat to livelihood and rice bowl is more acute. Business or financial firms are more international in their approach while professional organisations (law, medical etc) are still very localised and provincial. Say for example, a multinational corporation which has branches all over the world. Its approach will be fairly simple – I’ll hire whoever can work more for lesser, regardless of where you are from. For the medical community? There are barriers. Even when the bar is lowered, there are still quite a number of restrictions. Offering consultant positions? I will favour the Singaporeans more. Speciality programs? Priority to singaporeans. Medical community is able to, and needs to, cultivate this sort of bias because professional fields like medicine is such that it must be dominated by a significant local majority. It is not so much selfishness as a natural instinct to safeguard and preserve a quintessentially noble, sacred and “sensitive” profession.
So I believe when I say that doctors are a privileged lot buttressed by a huge safety net, I am not making an exaggeration or mis-statement. the primary concern of other people is the retainment of jobs, the rest is secondary. Doctors, as far as I know, don’t get unemployed. and this alone is a huge plus point.
Of course, when I say this I dont mean to discredit doctor’s professionalism or in any way diminish their standing. I respect them totally and I believe doctors do face hardships in icts too. But as far as my own experiences are concerned, they fare much better compared to others (non physicians).
oh ic. thanks for the input. appreciate it.
well, to inject fairness to the other professions, we earn a meagre 2.5k or less as a fresh graduate. yes this might be comparable to many professions, but it stays pretty low at this rate i think for quite a couple of years until one gets into a specialty program.
a banker however can be fresh grad and start earning big bucks right away.
do doctors even get bonuses? oh, i forget the guilt-tripping non-paid OT. “you gotta save the patients u know, ure a doctor, u SHOULD stay OT”
apparently it happens.
@yonanz: you should also remember that there are a shortage of doctors in the public system (last i heard) so as a nation, would you rather have a shortage in the public hospitals or in the SAF? as such, doctors starting ICT late at 30 is in fact a good thing. afterall, more experience = better at picking out malingerers right = better at not missing out crucial diagnoses.