With 10 deaths on record, it seems that 2009 is turning out to be the worst year for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) deaths since 1979.
The 11 SAF deaths 30 years ago includes four pilots killed when three A-4 Skyhawks crashed in the Philippines, one boxing match death, one shooting incident, one PTI who died attempting a somersault on a high vault, plus a few running deaths. The last cause of death includes one soldier who died of heat exhaustion after he went for PT with a fever (he was on MC).
It's high time the Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) ramped up its safety awareness drive. Some recent losses, such as the RSAF serviceman who died in a road traffic accident after failing to fasten his seatbelt, were totally preventable if the safety message was forced home with greater tenacity.
I hope the souls of those departed rest in peace.
As the custodian of MINDEF's defence information apparatus, the ministry's Public Affairs Directorate must show stronger leadership in promoting a higher level of safety consciousness among SAF personnel.
That leadership is sorely lacking for reasons which I have spelt out months ago.
You could pray that Jesus makes it right.
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