Dead in War (America) and Peace (Singapore)

I came across this slideshow on the New York Times website that was poignant and chilling at the same time. As much as I express my dislike for National Service and some of the negative effects of forced conscription, I am glad that the Singapore Armed Forces is not embroiled in a conflict anywhere on the globe where young lives would be put into harm's way for duty, honour and country.

But even the Singapore Armed Forces faces peacetime deaths from training accidents and incidents and there is little mention about our brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, by giving up their lives in the course of their duty to this nation that is Singapura.

America is fighting on two fronts with its armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The slideshow shows of fatalities caused by improvised explosive devices (IED), grenade attack, small arms fire, sniper etc. I was struck by how young some of these soldiers were, 19 and mid 20s. I recall the regular sergeant who died in the SM-1 tank over-turn during Armour Skill-at-Arms competition training, he was then 25 years old.

Thinking back, I am glad to have gone through my 10 years of reservist (including two tours of operational duties) for Singapura relatively unscathed. Some of my brothers-in-arms were not fortunate. I wonder how their bedrooms look like? How did their parents grieve over their son that was sacrificed at the altar of patriotism? How their lives would have been if they had not be conscripted.

The Singapore Armed Forces has improved its safety record over the years and is a visibly more safety conscious organisation since the days I left basic military training. However, people need to be reminded that the price of freedom is indeed eternal vigilance. And the price is often paid by the blood sacrifice of Singapore male citizens who are conscripted into the armed forces.

Perhaps it is time to put to the sword the sacred cow of conscription. On why the Army still has to rely on the cannon fodder provided by male pink NRIC holders (and the 2nd generation Blue NRIC holders) whilst the Navy and Air Force are mostly staffed by volunteers who willingly take the risk for duty, honour and country (and a career).

Why is it that people still equate changing the conscription system with giving up the Singapore Armed Forces?

The SAF is necessary to defend Singapore's sovereignty and security in a risky world. But what form the SAF should take must be open to debate and discussion. Taiwan is moving towards an all-volunteer model. With the amount we spend on defence, it's inconceivable that we cannot carve a budget for staffing a fully-volunteer Army sufficient for our defence needs.

By all means recruit foreign talent into the enlisted ranks as professional soldiers. After all, if they are good enough to be captains of industry and to contribute to the economy through competing for jobs in the economy, I don't see why less sensitive army positions cannot be outsourced to them?

Majullah Singapura.