National Service in Singapore

[TangoCharlie]

On 12/27/2024 at 11:27 AM, Playtime said:

dont think this can fully change as long as the scholar system is in place. Its an induilt system of rewarding the book smart.... not the hands on.

during my NS, the brigade commander (a signals guy)  is a scholar, but the 2IC (infantry guy) is a "farmer", you can tell the difference very clearly side by side.

Right or wrong, we all know that like fuedal japan, while the Emperor is leader in name, the Shogun is the actual  leader in war.

same in my battalion, we saw the difference between the farmer CO and the scholar one who took over.... wasnt a upgrade.

 

dunno if you read this before, good book, had the same thing to say about the scholar system.

https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=5jEU0lvjlu4C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&hl=en&source=newbks_fb&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

Just borrowed the book. I'll have a read. Thanks 

Wasn't expecting a 360 change, but some improvements along the way.

 

[Sosaria]

On 12/27/2024 at 11:27 AM, Playtime said:

dont think this can fully change as long as the scholar system is in place. Its an induilt system of rewarding the book smart.... not the hands on.

during my NS, the brigade commander (a signals guy)  is a scholar, but the 2IC (infantry guy) is a "farmer", you can tell the difference very clearly side by side.

Right or wrong, we all know that like fuedal japan, while the Emperor is leader in name, the Shogun is the actual  leader in war.

same in my battalion, we saw the difference between the farmer CO and the scholar one who took over.... wasnt a upgrade.

 

dunno if you read this before, good book, had the same thing to say about the scholar system.

https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=5jEU0lvjlu4C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&hl=en&source=newbks_fb&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

Can't really say that one is good and the other is bad. Whether scholar or farmer they have different skill-sets and approaches and should best be used for tasks which they are suited for. For example if you put a scholar for operational implementation role, they will likely fail. Then again you have people who are good at doing immediate tasks, getting things done, but are not adept at handling long term "blank paper /blue sky" type of work or project. We see these personality types at the workplace all the time.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Sosaria

[inlinesix]

On 12/27/2024 at 12:31 PM, Sosaria said:

Can't really say that one is good and the other is bad. Whether scholar or farmer they have different skill-sets and approaches and should best be used for tasks which they are suited for. For example if you put a scholar for operational implementation role, they will likely fail. Then again you have people who are good at doing immediate tasks, getting things done, but are not adept at handling long term "blank paper /blue sky" type of work or project. We see these personality types at the workplace all the time.

I think you did not get the context of his reply.

What he is saying is that Since Police commander is another scholar, he will act similarly to previous commander if an incident similar to Little India happens again

[Playtime]

On 12/27/2024 at 1:03 PM, inlinesix said:

I think you did not get the context of his reply.

What he is saying is that Since Police commander is another scholar, he will act similarly to previous commander if an incident similar to Little India happens again

Also, the system favors... actually ONLY chooses... scholars for key appointments. 😬

And thers no indication it's gonna change. 

[Playtime]

On 12/27/2024 at 12:31 PM, Sosaria said:

Can't really say that one is good and the other is bad. Whether scholar or farmer they have different skill-sets and approaches and should best be used for tasks which they are suited for. For example if you put a scholar for operational implementation role, they will likely fail. Then again you have people who are good at doing immediate tasks, getting things done, but are not adept at handling long term "blank paper /blue sky" type of work or project. We see these personality types at the workplace all the time.

Theres good and bad in all, But the problem is selection is one sided and scholars are chosen good or bad. Not the best chosen.

There's is no balance in the force.

 

[jcmm]

On 12/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Victor68 said:

Personally, I am not a National day parade fan. While we should celebrate I am not sure the people standing there for days waiting to march off are meaningful in today context. Would we also display our latest weapon is also a question mark.

NS do has its purpose and I support it. With so many FTs and If only 50% of the people of the male population serve the nation, maybe we need to tax those non serving people more. My POV.

I burnt my weekends during NS days, preparing months ahead for National Parade.... They tried to make us feel "proud" involving in SG celebration, but most of us f it. Weekends were more impt. ORD, day off couldn't be used. Lies after lies. 

[Victor68]

On 12/27/2024 at 1:18 PM, Playtime said:

Theres good and bad in all, But the problem is selection is one sided and scholars are chosen good or bad. Not the best chosen.

There's is no balance in the force.

 

These scholars after the army will be CEO to help close the company 😆 one has helps to sell NOL and SPH. Another screw up SMRT 😆 it reflects the training quality the army has managed. If we need them one day, are they ready? 

Scholars must be general? They cannot move up the rank because you need to pay them high salary in order to attract them? 

[inlinesix]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:38 PM, Victor68 said:

These scholars after the army will be CEO to help close the company 😆 one has helps to sell NOL and SPH. Another screw up SMRT 😆 it reflects the training quality the army has managed. If we need them one day, are they ready? 

Scholars must be general? They cannot move up the rank because you need to pay them high salary in order to attract them? 

That's more of Army CEO la.

Air Force & Navy CEO like that meh?

😂

[Playtime]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:38 PM, Victor68 said:

These scholars after the army will be CEO to help close the company 😆 one has helps to sell NOL and SPH. Another screw up SMRT 😆 it reflects the training quality the army has managed. If we need them one day, are they ready? 

Scholars must be general? They cannot move up the rank because you need to pay them high salary in order to attract them? 

 

army General took down NOL, navy admiral screw up LTA... that's the pinnacle of talent deployment 😂

 

Coincidentally... in the Tim Huxley book I mentioned, one of the observation was that the scholars seem more interested about their after army career. 

I guess after all that's where the big money is , it's the system lor🤷‍♂️

[inlinesix]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:46 PM, Playtime said:

 

army General took down NOL, navy admiral screw up LTA... that's the pinnacle of talent deployment 😂

 

Coincidentally... in the Tim Huxley book I mentioned, one of the observation was that the scholars seem more interested about their after army career. 

I guess after all that's where the big money is , it's the system lor🤷‍♂️

LTA is untameable 1 la.

Put who also useless😜

Maybe need to appoint radx

[Ender]

On 12/27/2024 at 10:51 AM, TangoCharlie said:

After coi and many years since, should have improved. At least By now that commander should have retired?😄

That little india riot, was our police force first experience with handling such crisis after 50 over years of stability. First timer sure alot of screw up.

[Ender]

On 12/27/2024 at 11:27 AM, Playtime said:

dont think this can fully change as long as the scholar system is in place. Its an induilt system of rewarding the book smart.... not the hands on.

during my NS, the brigade commander (a signals guy)  is a scholar, but the 2IC (infantry guy) is a "farmer", you can tell the difference very clearly side by side.

Right or wrong, we all know that like fuedal japan, while the Emperor is leader in name, the Shogun is the actual  leader in war.

same in my battalion, we saw the difference between the farmer CO and the scholar one who took over.... wasnt a upgrade.

 

dunno if you read this before, good book, had the same thing to say about the scholar system.

https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=5jEU0lvjlu4C&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&hl=en&source=newbks_fb&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

 

 

Israel's General are scholar or farmer? Coz I hope to see a parallel in our arm forces with theirs. How small country should respond if attacked on multiple fronts like Israel.

[Mkl22]

On 12/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Victor68 said:

Personally, I am not a National day parade fan. While we should celebrate I am not sure the people standing there for days waiting to march off are meaningful in today context. Would we also display our latest weapon is also a question mark.

NS do has its purpose and I support it. With so many FTs and If only 50% of the people of the male population serve the nation, maybe we need to tax those non serving people more. My POV.

Yeah. Local born pink IC with local born parents maybe just 30% of the population on this island. 

[therock]

On 12/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Victor68 said:

Personally, I am not a National day parade fan. While we should celebrate I am not sure the people standing there for days waiting to march off are meaningful in today context. Would we also display our latest weapon is also a question mark.

NS do has its purpose and I support it. With so many FTs and If only 50% of the people of the male population serve the nation, maybe we need to tax those non serving people more. My POV.

NDP is part celebration but also to tell our neighbors don’t mess with us we have capability and equipment … 

Edited December 27, 2024 by therock

[inlinesix]

On 12/27/2024 at 3:08 PM, Ender said:

Israel's General are scholar or farmer? Coz I hope to see a parallel in our arm forces with theirs. How small country should respond if attacked on multiple fronts like Israel.

Chief of General Staff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herzi_Halevi

[mersaylee]

On 12/27/2024 at 1:18 PM, Playtime said:

Theres good and bad in all, But the problem is selection is one sided and scholars are chosen good or bad. Not the best chosen.

There's is no balance in the force.

 

Just pay both the same...you happy i happy everybody happy...happiest balanced nation in the world not that hard to achieve afterall 😁

[mersaylee]

On 12/27/2024 at 2:38 PM, Victor68 said:

These scholars after the army will be CEO to help close the company 😆 one has helps to sell NOL and SPH. Another screw up SMRT 😆 it reflects the training quality the army has managed. If we need them one day, are they ready? 

Scholars must be general? They cannot move up the rank because you need to pay them high salary in order to attract them? 

Send them to the enemies then...better chance for us...they can close down their divisions...😂

[Sosaria]

On 12/27/2024 at 3:09 PM, Mkl22 said:

Yeah. Local born pink IC with local born parents maybe just 30% of the population on this island. 

This is a tough criteria to meet as singapore only became independent in 1965  For those of us born before 90s, parents are not likely to be born after '65