What did we fight for: reflections of an ex-Conscript in the Lion City

Having served 2.5 years in full-time National Service in the Singapore Armed Forces in various combat roles and followed by 10 years of reservist in the People's Defence Force that covered two tours of duty in operational roles, I sometimes ask myself, what did I fight for for the sacrifices I made for Singapura?

Was it really to defend Singapore against terrorism?

Was it to defend our way of life?

Was it for my family and loved ones?

The more I reflect and look back, the more I realise that I've just been a glorified security guard who was reimbursed for putting his life on the line to protect Singapore Inc.

Yes, those days running the standard obstacle course until my lungs were bursting and spittle was mixed with my sweat-soaked number four uniform. Those days doing leopard crawl in the battle-innoculation course. The times plucking leaves and grasses from the drains and doing area cleaning of four stories of steps in the battalion HQ building. These were all to protect the interests and benefits for Singapore Inc.

I too benefitted from Singapore Inc. but so did those who did not have to serve in the military, the police force or the civil defence force. They paid taxes. So did I. I did NS, they did not.

But I suffered for Singapore Inc. Dignity shattered against the parade square - check. Touching lamposts and trees - check. Encountering fatal accidents happening to fellow soldiers during active and reservist - check and check. Having to put my butt through its paces to clear IPPT each and every year for 10 years before reaching the NSmen equivalent of nirvana i.e. Mindef Reserve status - check.

My fellow brothers-in-arms know what I went through and I know what they went through.

A citizen soldier fights for his country. He is supposed to lay down his life to protect the constitution and the Republic of Singapore. But we are in a country where a very-very-senior politician alluded to having to "bring in the army" should "freak" election results occur. This is the Singapore Inc that we are fighting for. Nothing more, nothing less.

It is a country that is losing its heritage. Many bits of our physical history is gone forever, and so too are many of our emotional ties to those places. It is a country that worships money and commerce. "Welfare" is a dirty word. Exploitation of NSmen is not. It is a country that has a clear structure, you are an elite or you are not. You are a lesser mortal or you are greater mortal. You are wearing white or you are wearing everything else.

The more I remember the song, "Training to be soldiers", the more I'm convinced that this country is no longer free. It is expensive to be a citizen in Singapore Inc, you pay taxes, your retirement funds are tied up in minimum sum and you bleed for your country as a male conscript in the Lion City.

Majullah Singapura.