As we debate the future of National Service (NS) years from now, our present-day Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) remains unwavering in its focus on the tasks at hand as our country's gatekeeper.
And Singaporeans continue their rite of passage as full-time National Servicemen (NSF), backed by their families just as NS has always been for the past 45 years.
Yesterday's rifle presentation ceremony for 402 recruits from the 1st Guards Battalion (1 GDS) at the War Memorial Park was not just an SAF event.
Held in the heart of the city, 1 GDS recruits were joined by family and friends who turned up in droves - on a weekday afternoon - and braved the rain to witness how the Singapore Army formally presents its newest soldiers with their rifles. Past batches of NSFs had been symbolically armed at WW2 battle sites around our island nation or in twilight ceremonies in their Basic Military Training camps.
The venue as well as the date and time for yesterday's event were laden with meaning. The War Memorial Park - fondly known as the chopsticks because of its four 61-metre tall concrete pillers - remembers civilians who died during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during WW2.
And the rifle presentation at 6:20pm marked the precise moment that British forces surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. The date marks Total Defence Day and is used to keep warm the message that Singaporeans alone defend their destiny.
In a cyberpioneer story, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong commented on the significance of the venue: "This is a sacred place of remembrance of our forefathers who lost their lives during World War II."
CDF added: "Remember always that strong security underpins Singapore's survival and success. Ultimately, if we are not prepared to defend ourselves, no one else will. That is why we commemorate Total Defence Day."
According to cyberpioneer, LG Neo joined Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh, senior SAF officers and warrant officers, students from the Singapore National Cadet Corps, and family and friends of the recruits as the ceremony unfolded.
Addressing his troops, 1 GDS Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Fairoz bin Hassan, spoke of their initiation into Basic Military Training, which would eventually lead them to becoming Guardsmen, or heliborne infantry.
Show of support: Despite the rain, family and well wishers of the 1 GDS recruits turned up to witness the 5.56mm SAR-21 assault rifle presentation ceremony. Source: Ministry of Defence, Singapore
"In front of this memorial, you will affirm your commitment to the defence of Singapore. You will stand with me, and all the others before you, in making this promise. You will pledge to take care of your weapons and dedicate yourself to the brotherhood of arms in 1 Guards."
The 5.56mm SAR-21 assault rifle was designed and manufactured in Singapore for the SAF's specific operational requirements. Its optical sight takes away the need to calibrate the rifle for each soldier, unlike the M-16 it replaced which needed to have iron sights zeroed for its owner. During a mobilisation, ground forces armed with SAR-21 rifles can therefore turn mission-ready in a shorter time.
"Soldiers of 1 Guards, receive your weapons knowing that your country gives it to you with the trust that you will put it to good use," said LTC Fairoz.
"You will follow the footsteps of many before you, and mark that symbolic first step to becoming soldiers of the Singapore Armed Forces. Take care of your weapon, and it will take care of you. With it comes the responsibility of being a citizen soldier of Singapore. Use it to fulfil the promise that we have made on the day of our enlistment - that we will protect and honour and independence of Singapore with our lives."
don't mess with the SAF, ever.
ReplyDeleteExcept to keng.
ReplyDeleteyou must be talking about yourself, man.
ReplyDeleteMeaningless proganda type.of ceremony which brain-wash and detach young full time ns men from the reality. What's there to defence given that the real enemy that sabotaged the state comes from within? Irony that just nearby the city, the hong lim protest on the next day is also deemed as a patriotic display.
ReplyDeletesingaporeans keng NS - blame politics. singaporeans go to NS - blame politics. must be real easy to be a critic...
ReplyDeleteS'pore as a state/country will outlive and outlast everyone who is commenting in websites based around the world, and also regardless of what nationalities or countries the commentors are in.
ReplyDeleteHow sure r u that s'pore will outlive and outlast in 200 yrs, 500 yrs time? Or even in the next 50 yrs? Go study history, no empire ever last forever. State nationality and identity changes with ppl. A state is just a piece of land without any meaning and identity without ppl. Yes the physical land may still be there but how sure u r that it will still be called Singapore? How sure u r that it'll still stand independent?
ReplyDeleteand what country are you from ?
ReplyDelete1 grenade & everything will be gone
ReplyDeleteActually, no one knows when the world will end. Why be fatalistic and stump our life over how Singapore will turn out? I would think it best to put our energy, time and ability to manage as best as we can, this land we called Singapore for the people to live by.
ReplyDeleteGranted, not all want to stay put and make their time worthwhile but for those willing souls, blessed be to them and their families.
Some people feel that Singapore can be destroyed easily. I would say it is the same for any other country if we speak of weapon of mass destruction. Surely, one grenade can't do it unless it is a figure of speech? So, where should one stay?
Better be a sincere person and pick a point and make your life there as useful as possible. Be it in the West, North, South or East. When you are happy with your pick, raise your family and be the influencer that you can.
You can change to world to be even a better place than now. :)
From: a man past his prime ....
Putting our best energy, time and ability to manage this land called singapore for people to live by apparently means different things to different people. We clearly see that in the parliament of 77 MPs putting their names and endorsing the white paper on 6.9 millions. We also knew from yhe internet that about 3000 - 5000 people protested in hong lim park on 16 feb. So what then? Those who simply disagree with white paper can just pack up and leave? Who does this piece of land called singapore belong to? The 77 MPs? Are the 3000 - 5000 people not willing to stay? Do they really have a choice? Who is forcing who to leave? I say good luck to those who stay. U truly deserve all these u voted for and yes, do perform ur part to serve this state and whoever the law orders u to, because u voted for it. Dont complain any longer
ReplyDeleteDo you realise that the NSFs and the Hong Lim Park demonstrators are all patriots?
ReplyDeleteWe all care enough to make a difference to our one and only Singapore.
ReplyDeleteEveryone want to keng to be cook, clerk, driver!
ReplyDeletenot me, dude. I always wanted to be in a combat vocation during NS and I got it - infantry, all the way !
ReplyDeleteI keng from recruit then out of course to clerk. The keng again out of course to be PA. Then keng again to be mess boy. Keng unitl ROD.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that the next Arm Receiving Ceremony be held at Hong Lim Park.
ReplyDeleteThe Army comes from the People and shall protect the People, not the President in the SAF Pledge who cares only for the rich & his Government Master.
People's Liberation Army?
ReplyDeleteSAF Pledge
ReplyDeleteWe, members of the Singapore Armed Forces, do solemnly and sincerely
pledge that we will always bear true faith and allegiance to the President and the Republic of Singapore. We will always support and defend the Constitution. We will preserve and protect the honour and independence of our country with our lives.
The SAF defends Singapore's independence, honour, Constitution and President.
ReplyDeleteIt is within the right of the SAF to stop the government of the day if it violates the constitution.
ReplyDeleteOr betrays Singapore's independence, honour or President.
ReplyDeleteDoes the CDF actually have the right to issue an order to stop the government of the day for the above reasons?
ReplyDeleteDon't worry guys, just keng in NS and prove yourself in the civilian world.
ReplyDeleteOnly secondary school girls think officers are cool. In the real world it's different.
If NS was really such a powerful character building advantage, most of the world would be at a disadvantage :P
I think we learn a lot about being mission oriented and team work.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a clerk, I sleep in the air con office every, eat canteen and scold those ppl for coming into the office disturbe me. Even LTAs also scared of me coz later I tell tales behind their backs. Life shiok as a clerk. No outfield, not sunlight, no overseas. Everyday 8-5 then go home.
ReplyDeleteAnon Feb 21, 2013 at 8:53 PM
ReplyDeleteTrue. Without NS, the rest of the world is not mission oriented and has no team work.
Employers value us and not them.
Anyone know of safra? Imagine sending an invitation form and not acknowledging after form was filled and sent back to safra. After mail sent via email to safra with regard to application and still no reply after 72hours. What kind of club is this?
ReplyDelete