[ Defending the Lion City ] The heavy burden of NS

Pic source: The Singapore Army FB Page - Photo by: 2SG Ian Ng (10 C4I Bn)

NS, and missed opportunities. These are two extremely emotive issues as far as S’poreans are concerned. Every year, thousands of S’porean males will put pause to their life plans and enter National Service to the country for 2 years (previously 2.5 years).

Losing your hair is the first thing that you "sacrifice" in NS
Pic source: Cyberpioneer

Ben Davis, by all accounts a talented young soccer player, had signed a two-year professional contract in June 2018 with EPL club Fulham FC. Due to enter NS in Dec 2018, Ben had applied long-term NS deferment and was rejected by Mindef.

Mindef stated that Ben’s application does not meet the criteria.

 "Since the inception of National Service (NS), all male Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) are required to serve NS at the earliest opportunity after reaching 18 years of age.

Through the years, support for NS has been maintained because this requirement is applied strictly and fairly to all individuals. Each year, the Ministry of Defence does receive requests for long-term deferment from Full-time NS, often with reasons that NS will impede their development and ability to fulfil aspirations.

As all male Singaporeans liable for Full-time NS put aside personal pursuits to dutifully enlist and serve their NS, it would not be fair to approve applications for deferment for individuals to pursue their own careers and development. Very few applications have been approved over the years and based on criteria which are made known to the public.

In sports, deferments are granted only to those who represent Singapore in international competitions like the Olympic Games and are potential medal winners for Singapore. In the last 15 years, only three* have met this criteria.

Benjamin James Davis' application for deferment was not approved as he does not meet the criteria for long-term deferment from Full-time NS.

This decision was made in consultation with the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth and was communicated to Mr Davis and his parents on 11 June 2018. Mr Davis was also notified that he is due for enlistment and must dutifully serve NS along with others in his cohort." 

Mindef's reply to media query, 16 July 2018

*Note: The three athletes who have been granted long-term NS deferments are: national swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen, and sailor Maximillian Soh.

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Update: Mindef released a following up media reply (18 Jul 2018)

"The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) recognises Mr. Benjamin Davis' achievement in securing a senior contract with Fulham Football Club (FC).  

However, deferment from National Service (NS) is granted for exceptional sportsmen to represent our national interest and not their own career development. When granted, deferment is given for a defined period after which these sportsmen must return to fulfil their NS duties. Mr Davis' application does not meet the deferment criteria and was therefore turned down. 

When asked during the deferment application process when Mr Davis intended to return and serve NS, Mr Davis' father would not commit to a date and expressed that he would put Mr Davis' professional career first. Mr Davis went on to sign the contract despite the rejection for deferment and his father has publicly stated that he would encourage Mr Davis to renounce his Singapore citizenship in order to pursue his career.  

Mr Davis' actions are meant to further his own professional career, not national interest. As his father openly admitted, he is looking out for his son's future, not Singapore's. They have no intention of returning to fulfil their son's NS duties, especially if Mr Davis is given a full professional contract after the two years of his senior contract. To allow deferment for this type of appeal, would severely undermine the ethos and sacrifice of Singaporeans who have all put aside their personal interests to complete their NS duties.   

Many talented sportsmen, including footballers, have completed their NS dutifully first before pursuing their professional careers. MINDEF has in place schemes during full-time NS to enable them to continue training to retain and improve their skills. We also provide additional training opportunities in the lead-up to major games such as the Southeast Asian and Olympic Games where our sportsmen represent Singapore and do us proud."

Mindef,  18 Jul 2018

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When Ben’s case made the news, it quickly gained widespread attention and attracted much support for his case for deferment, and naturally, harsh criticism of Mindef and its deferment policy.

But is the criticism of Mindef’s decision and the deferment policy justified?

Here is the crux of the issue as I see it.

Everyone who is liable for NS, will also be forgoing/postponing various opportunities for their two year service.

So what exactly is it then which makes Ben’s case for long term NS deferment to be exceptionally different/special?

Is it the fact that he has an opportunity to become a professional soccer player in the English Premier League, and in future perhaps improve the state of local soccer? 

Or is it because he has popular support (or at least so it seems to be on social media), including that of the Football Association of Singapore, for his deferment? 

(This raises another hard question – should “popular support” matter? Is it fair and proper for Mindef to even take “popular support” into consideration? After all, how does one define “popular support” and how does one objectively measure and compare it? But let’s put that aside for now.)

How is Ben’s case so compellingly different from another gifted S’porean who is accepted into a prominent medical school, and can become a brilliant doctor who saves countless lives or discovers a cure for some fatal disease?

What about a creative artist who could be the next Picasso? A talented musician that might be the next Michael Jackson? Or marvelous chef who could be a Michelin Star chef? All of whom have been given the opportunity to further develop their talents.

Are these S’poreans’ situations/aspirations deemed less worthy of deferment consideration than Ben’s? In addition, it is hard to argue that their pursuits will contribute any lesser towards Singapore than Ben's.

Perhaps more significantly, what about the rest of us ordinary, mundane S’poreans, who may not have any particularly special opportunity or situation?

If Mindef allows NS deferment based on “missing out rare golden opportunities”, does that imply that ordinary S’poreans are to be considered less important than these “talented” guys? Does it mean that our own sacrifices and missed opportunities, no matter how normal or mundane, are any lesser than that of Ben’s?

Would allowing for Ben’s, or any other person’s deferment on the basis of not missing out a “once in a lifetime opportunity” undermine or strengthen the very lynchpin of National Service - that NS is a social leveler and a necessary rite of passage for all S’porean males regardless of race, language, religion and social background?

Where and how should the line be drawn? Would such a change in NS policy be fair and equitable? These are very hard, soul-searching questions that are not quite so easily answered.

Ultimately, Mindef’s decision to reject Ben’s deferment and many other similar cases, will come across to many as seemingly cold, cruel, inflexible and devoid of any emotions and compassion.

But unfortunately, I believe such tough decisions have to necessarily be so in order to be unscrupulously fair to all who have served, will serve NS, and especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The bar for long term NS deferments, including any change in deferment policy, must be placed so high such that if any deferments are granted, each case must be, and will be clearly seen by S’poreans as being dispassionately logical,  unbiasedly reasonable and indisputably justifiable to warrant granting deferment.

Mindef has the unenviable task and responsibility of ensuring that the heavy NS burden continues to be borne fairly and equitably by all generations of S'porean males, or risk NS becoming a divisive institution that will ferment resentment amongst S’poreans and ultimately tear apart our country’s military defense and nation-building efforts, instead of uniting us all as one Singapore.

To Ben, this would be what I would advise: Serve out your Full time NS commitment. Take it as a way of expanding your horizons/experiences and improving your overall toughness. 2 years will pass quickly. After that, you are free to do as you please. Deferments for reservist/ORD training are much easier to get.

Read more here:

CNA: Sport Singapore (SportSG) supports MINDEF's decision to reject Ben Davis' deferment application (18 Jul 2018)
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sport-singapore-supports-mindef-decision-to-reject-ben-davis-10541308

Mindef Reply to Media Queries on the Rejection of Benjamin Davis' Deferment from Full-time NS (18 July 2018)
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/july/18jul18_mq

TODAY: Ben Davis won’t give up Fulham dream, may forgo S’pore citizenship if NS deferment appeal rejected (16 Jul 2018)

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ben-davis-wont-give-fulham-dream-may-give-sporean-citizenship-if-ns-deferment-appeal

Mindef Reply to ST Query on Benjamin Davis' Request for Long-Term Deferment from Full-Time NS (16 July 2018)
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/july/16jul18_mq

Straits Times: No National Service deferment for Fulham teen Ben Davis, says Mindef (14 Jul 2018)

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-no-national-service-deferment-for-fulham-teen-ben-davis-says-mindef

TODAY: High Court sets new sentencing benchmarks for NS dodgers (25 Jul 2017)
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/high-court-sets-new-sentencing-benchmarks-ns-defaulters

Straits Times: Fairness, sense of purpose key to maintaining support for NS (6 Apr 2017)

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/fairness-sense-of-purpose-key-to-maintaining-support-for-ns

Straits Times: 28-year-old jailed 16 weeks for evading NS (3 Feb 2017)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/28-year-old-jailed-16-weeks-for-evading-ns

Senang Diri: 45 Years of National Service: NS defaulter's homecoming for National Museum concert (30 Dec 2011)

http://kementah.blogspot.com/2011/12/45-years-of-national-service-ns.html

[ Defending the Lion City ] Looking beyond the pomp and circumstance of SAF Day

“We have no enemies now. Why does Singapore need to spend so much money on defense?”

“Why do we need to do National Service (NS)?”

“NS is a waste of my time. It has made me fall behind in my career as compared to my overseas peers.”

“One bomb and Singapore is done for. Why bother with NS/defense/SAF?”

The answer to all these grouses/complaints/questions is actually pretty simple.

This is why.

Skulls, bones and other grisly remains being exhumed from a mass grave of Operation Sook Ching victims in Bedok on June 10, 1966. These remains were ultimately laid to rest at the Civilian War Memorial along Beach Road.

Japanese Troops posed triumphantly in front of the Railway Station, 1942. “昭南驛” translates into “Syonan Station”. (Source)

Japanese Atrocities: Soldiers preparing to shoot prisoners 20 meters away. Photo found amongst Japanese records when British retook Singapore.

 Japanese Atrocities: Photo found amongst Japanese records when British retook Singapore.

Percival & other British Officers carrying the Union Jack to surrender Singapore to the Japanese

Read more here:

Singapore Infopedia - Operation Sook Ching

Biblioasia - The Sook Ching by Goh Sin Tub

AsiaOne - 75 years since Singapore fell: Operation Sook Ching during the Japanese occupation 

Mothership - The Sook Ching (YouTube)

Singapore Infopedia - The Civilian War Memorial

Roots.SG - Civilian War Memorial

Picture.SG - Civilian War Memorial urn

History.SG - Singapore falls to the Japanese

Wikipedia - Battle of Singapore

YouTube: Battle for Singapore

National Museum of Singapore - Surviving Syonan

National Archives of Singapore - The Old Ford Factory (Renamed as 'Syonan Gallery: War and Its Legacies' in Feb 2017.)

Singapore Infopedia - Information related to the Japanese Occupation of Singapore

Straits Times - 'Bitter but valuable lessons' for Singapore from Japanese Occupation: Ng Eng Hen

[Defending the Lion City] Strengthening SG's response capabilities towards Terror threats

Image source: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced new laws to improve how the SPF can respond to terror threats and incidents.

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Ministry of Home Affairs Press Release

27 Feb 2018 : Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Bill 2018

​

         The Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Bill was introduced for First Reading in Parliament today. The Bill is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) ongoing efforts to combat the threat of terrorism.

Updating of Existing Special Powers Legislation to Enable Police to Respond Effectively to Serious Incidents such as Terrorist Attacks

2.            Singapore continues to face a clear and present security threat, posed by home-grown radicalised individuals and foreign terrorists who view Singapore as a prized target. Attacks around the world have shown that the terrorists are continuously evolving their methods to inflict maximum casualties and deaths. It is therefore important to equip the Police with powers to be able to respond swiftly and effectively to attacks of any scale and of varying tactics.

3.            Over the last two years, MHA has significantly enhanced our ability to respond to the terrorism threat. The Public Order Act was amended and the Infrastructure Protection Act was enacted to enhance the security of large events and critical buildings respectively. The Police have also developed new capabilities for rapid and effective response to terrorist incidents.

 

4.            As part of these continuing efforts to combat terrorism, MHA is introducing the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Bill, to provide the Police with the powers necessary to deal with serious public order and safety incidents, including terrorist attacks. The Bill updates the existing Public Order (Preservation) Act (POPA), which was enacted in 1958 to provide special powers to deal with large-scale communal riots. As part of the Bill, POPA will be repealed.

Key Provisions of the Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Bill

5.            The Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Bill will:

1. Enable the use of special powers for serious incidents affecting public safety;
2. Enable the Police to protect the secrecy of tactical operations; and
3. Enable the Police to respond to serious incidents more effectively.

Enable the use of special powers for serious incidents affecting public safety

6.            The special powers in the Bill are not available to the Police for routine operations. The Minister for Home Affairs must first issue an order to authorise the use of the powers in the Bill. To do so, the Minister must be of the opinion that (i) a serious incident has occurred or is occurring in Singapore, or there is a threat of such a serious incident occurring, and (ii) that the special powers are necessary to prevent the occurrence of the incident, reduce its impact, or control, restore or maintain public order.

 

7.            The existing POPA provides special powers to deal with large-scale public disorder, such as communal riots. However, they cannot be used in situations which seriously threaten public safety but there is no large-scale public disorder. For example, in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack when the pursuit of the terrorists is underway, but there is no large-scale public disorder. The Bill provides for special powers to be used in such serious incidents where public safety is threatened, and also where there is serious violence affecting the public.

Enable Police to protect the secrecy of tactical operations

8.            Denying the terrorists access to information on Police's ongoing tactical operations to neutralise the attack, is critical for the success of the operations. Leakage of such information to the terrorists could endanger the lives of security officers and members of the public who are caught in the attack.

 

9.            During the Mumbai attacks in 2008, live media broadcast of security forces preparing to storm the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel allowed the gunmen within to anticipate the actions of the security forces. In the January 2015 attack on the Hyper Cacher Deli in Paris, the terrorist who was holding several hostages in the deli was able to watch live television broadcasts showing Police officers outside preparing to storm the deli. In both incidents, there is no doubt that the information available to the terrorists made the Police operation more difficult, reduced the chances of a successful operation, and put the safety of the officers and hostages at greater risk.

10.          The Bill therefore proposes that after the Minister has issued an order to authorise the use of the powers in the Bill, the Commissioner of Police be empowered to make a communications stop order to require all persons in the incident area to stop making or communicating films or pictures of the incident area, and stop communicating text or audio messages about the ongoing security operations in the incident area. This is a special power which would only be used when the security situation calls for it.

11.          The Bill also provides the Police with powers to take down or disable any unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles and vessels in and around the incident area, regardless of their intention and activity.  Such unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles and vessels can be used for surveillance by the terrorists or even as weapons. Currently, the Police only has powers to take down unmanned aircraft and autonomous vehicles and vessels which are clearly posing a threat to public safety and security.

Enable Police to respond to serious incidents more effectively

12.          The Bill will incorporate and update several special powers already available in POPA. In addition, the Bill introduces new provisions needed for today's operational context.

13.          The Bill will enable the Police to direct owners of buildings within the incident area to take certain actions, such as closing their premises, restricting entry and exit, or to provide the Police with information about their buildings like floor plans. These directions will help the Police to manage the safety of the public in the incident area, and facilitate security operations.

 

14.          The Bill will also provide the Police with enhanced powers to stop and question individuals within the incident area in order to obtain information. Such powers are needed, for example, when the Police is conducting a manhunt. When these special powers are exercised, it is an offence for individuals to refuse to provide information to the Police. 

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs

Read more here:
Straits Times: Parliament: 3 proposals in Bill to give police special powers to deal with terror attacks

Channel NewsAsia: MHA tables Bill to expand Singapore police powers to better deal with terror attacks

[Defending the Lion City] Total Defence Day 2018 message

#NeverAgain

This year’s Total Defence Day message by the Defence Minister touches on the newer and less apparent forms of threats that Singapore faces - terrorism, the spread of fake news and cyberattacks – and how each one of us has an important role to play to help Singapore overcome these challenges.

The video message was released on Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ngenghen/) at 6pm on 14 February 2018. 

The 3-min message was recorded at Reflections at Bukit Chandu, where one of the most intense fighting took place on 14 February 1942 during the Battle for Singapore in WWII. 

As this year’s Total Defence Day (15 February 2018) falls on Chinese New Year eve, the backdrop of the fall of Singapore on Chinese New Year Day in 1942 reminds us that we must never take our peace for granted.

Together We Keep Singapore Strong

For more information on Total Defence, please visit our website: www.totaldefence.sg and Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeAreTotalDefence.

Source: TotalDefenceSG YouTube Channel

The peace and prosperity that we enjoy today, are only possible because of the sacrifices of the past.

[Defending the Lion City] Defence vs Healthcare - which is more important?

Recruits undergoing Basic Close Combat Training at an SAF unit at the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) at Pulau Tekong on Jan 23, 2018. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Health, defence spending not a zero-sum game

Dr Yik Keng Yeong suggests in his letter that the Government is spending too much on defence compared with healthcare (Rethink of our health, defence costs needed; Feb 22).

As a national serviceman on my third cycle as a Reservist on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service, I feel it is necessary for us to move away from the narrative that social needs and defence are in competition.

The proportion of our annual budget spent on security has dropped by 10 per cent over the last decade.

"Instead, it would be more relevant to see defence as a form of insurance - one we would never want to draw on, but which is there when we need it."

Conversely, spending on social needs now takes up the lion's share of the budget.

In Budget 2017, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that future defence budgets will aim to keep pace with inflation through a trajectory of 3 to 4 per cent annual growth.

His ministry would reprioritise programmes to meet new challenges, while addressing overall budgetary pressures of an ageing society and slowing economic growth, he said.

This year's defence budget of $14.8 billion is in line with this trajectory, growing about 4 per cent from last year.

"Defence capabilities cannot be ramped up instantly when danger emerges, but require long-term planning, equipping and training."

A continued focus on defence versus healthcare spending as a zero-sum game is an incorrect approach.

Instead, it would be more relevant to see defence as a form of insurance - one we would never want to draw on, but which is there when we need it.

Defence capabilities cannot be ramped up instantly when danger emerges, but require long-term planning, equipping and training.

"And Singaporeans can build lives, grow businesses and care for their families under the umbrella of defence that is provided by the Singapore Armed Forces."

Built up over the past 52 years, the stable and secure environment we enjoy and often take for granted has enhanced our economic vibrancy.

Tourists and international companies come to Singapore because it is safe, stable and secure.

And Singaporeans can build lives, grow businesses and care for their families under the umbrella of defence that is provided by the Singapore Armed Forces.

The global security environment is increasingly uncertain, and we cannot take our peace and security for granted.

Investment in defence and the need for everyone to play their part remain paramount.

Without defence, we will not have the safety and security on which to build a successful healthcare system and other hallmarks of a strong nation.

Nicholas Fang


A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 23, 2018, with the headline 'Health, defence spending not a zero-sum game'.
Source: The Straits Times, 23 Feb 2018



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Rethink of our health, defence costs needed

While our health budget at $10.2 billion, constituting 2.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), seems like a lot of money, other countries spend far more on health care, with the United States topping the list withan expenditure of 17 per cent of GDP.

We all know why our healthcare costs are ballooning: ageing population, newfangled, exorbitant investigations and treatment regimes, reimbursements to doctors for procedures done rather than outcome efficiencies, all-in insurance without co-payments which encourage gouging by doctors, just to name the major ones.

Perhaps, because our health budget still seems far away from the levels of the US, there seems to be insufficient political will to manage health costs more strictly.

Allowing Medisave to be used for procedures in Malaysia (where, anecdotally, costs can be up to 10 times lower), mandatory use of generics where available (already enforced by some health insurances) and a more dedicated use of telemedicine will lower costs.

Our military budget has also ballooned over the last decade.

At $14.8 billion, it exceeds the combined budgets for trade and industry, national development, social and family development together with environment and water resources, which add up to about $13.7 billion.

Defence is paramount to our survival, but whereas we have not had a war for more than 50 years (granted that it may be because of our preparedness, as reflected by the oversized defence budget), we have need of trade, water, infrastructure and family support every single day - so, perhaps a rethink is needed?

Are there too many officers and generals who are paid too handsomely? Do we need the latest military planes when drones with smart bombs may suffice? Does the latest weaponry and the touting of a "4G army" really make us a better fighting force?

Yik Keng Yeong (Dr)


A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 22, 2018, with the headline 'Rethink of our health, defence costs needed'.
Source: The Straits Times, 22 Feb 2018

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Defense vs Healthcare

How do we determine how much to spend on them?

But in my opinion, here’s the bottom line.

Without Defense, there can be no Country.

Without a country, there can be no Home.

And when Singapore falls*, we won’t even have a home, let alone worry about healthcare or anything else.

* ... and Singapore doesn't even need to fall like we did in WW2. Our enemies simply have to destabilize us enough that our daily lives are disrupted, and international confidence in Singapore falters. That would already be enough to break our ricebowls. 

[Defending the Lion City] Never Again

https://www.facebook.com/WeAreTotalDefence/

#WeareTotalDefence #totaldefence

Source: Speaker of Parliament, Tan Chuan-Jin's Facebook page

[Defending the Lion City] Why We Serve - Our NS Stories

Episode 1: The early years of National Service

Episode 1: The early years of National Service 

"At that time, the question was, are you ready to stand up for the challenge or will you give up? And if you give up, where will the next generation be?" 

In Part 1 of the new video series "Why We Serve – Our NS Stories", Robert Yeo and other pioneer National Servicemen from the Singapore Armed Forces share their stories of perseverance, and commitment to the cause. 

Episode 2: Basic Military Training – The experience that binds

Episode 2: Basic Military Training – The experience that binds

Basic Military Training is memorable for every Singaporean son. Through the tough training and strict discipline, thousands of recruits mature as they find out a little bit more about who they are, what they stand for, and why they do what they do. Watch Part 2 of "Why We Serve - Our NS Stories" to find out more about this shared experience from those who have gone through this rite of passage.

Episode 3: Soldier, Sailor, Airman - A Common Purpose

Episode 3: Soldier, Sailor, Airman - A Common Purpose

After Basic Military Training, Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) proceed to take on different roles in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Together, they form the backbone of the Singapore Armed Forces, enhancing Singapore’s peace and security. Watch Part 3 of "Why We Serve - Our NS Stories" and see some of the ways in which they contribute to national defence.

Episode 4: Being a Citizen-Soldier

Episode 4: Being a Citizen-Soldier

After two years of service, Full-time National Servicemen go on to serve as Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen). They continue to keep themselves combat ready through regular training. Having to balance their families and careers with National Service (NS) responsibilities, strong support from their families, employers/employees and fellow servicemen becomes absolutely critical. Get to know some of our NSmen in Part 4 of "Why We Serve - Our NS Stories" and find out what it means for them to do what they do.

Episode 5: A Shared Commitment

Episode 5: A Shared Commitment

In this final episode of “Why We Serve - Our NS Stories”, we spoke to different members of the community to understand their views on NS, and the reason behind their support for NS. This is their story. 

Video Source: Ministry of Defence Singapore YouTube Channel

[Defending the Lion City] Why Starlight matters

This is a Quora post by Timothy Soh in response to the question "Why can't Singapore suspend/end exercise starlight?" 

Source: Quora post by Timothy Soh

[Defending the Lion City] Poignant observations

Original FB post here.

Pic source: The Reservist FB page

Pic source: The Reservist FB page

Thank You for your Service & Sacrifice.  

Rest in Peace

According to an Mothership article, the Family of the late 3SG Gavin Chan has welcomed the public to pay their respects.

Update 21 Sept: Mothership Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said the siblings of the late Gavin Chan were welcoming members of the public to pay respects to Chan. We were subsequently informed by them, via MINDEF, that this message was misconstrued and it was not intended to be open to everyone in Singapore; they were merely inviting their own friends to attend the wake. We have accordingly adjusted this article to reflect this.

[Defending the Lion City] Death of a Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman

Update 21 Sept: Mothership Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said the siblings of the late Gavin Chan were welcoming members of the public to pay respects to Chan. We were subsequently informed by them, via MINDEF, that this message was misconstrued and it was not intended to be open to everyone in Singapore; they were merely inviting their own friends to attend the wake. We have accordingly adjusted this article to reflect this.

Update: 20 Sept According to an Mothership article, the Family of the late 3SG Gavin Chan has welcomed the public to pay their respects.
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My heart sank when my Facebook feed showed Mindef’s post stating that a NSF had died while training at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

Mindef FB page

Military operations inherently carry significant risks, even during peace time training and exercises, hence the numerous safety measures and guidelines that are drilled into everyone all the time.

But even with the best laid plans, safety measure and what-not , no one can fully mitigate or eliminate such risks.

It is a tragedy that one of our Singapore Sons had paid such a heavy price for our country’s defence.

My condolences to the family and loved ones of 3SG Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin.

Rest in Peace bro.

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Death of a Singapore Armed Forces Full-time National Serviceman

Posted: 16 Sep 2017, 0030 hours (GMT+8)

A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Full-time National Serviceman, 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin, 21, a Vehicle Commander from 41st Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, was involved in a vehicular incident at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia at around 1815hrs (SG time) on 15 Sep 2017.

3SG Chan was travelling in a Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle as part of an exercise when the incident happened. An SAF medic commenced resuscitation efforts on 3SG Chan, who was unconscious. 3SG Chan was evacuated via a helicopter to Rockhampton Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at around 2236hrs (SG time).

A safety pause on training in Shoalwater Bay Training Area has taken effect, and an investigation of the incident is ongoing.

The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief.

Source: Mindef

Media Reports

Straits Times: 21-year-old NSF dies after vehicular incident at Australia's Shoalwater Bay Training Area

ABC News: Singapore Army officer dies in armoured vehicle crash on Queensland coast

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Updates:

20 Sept: The Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog has more pictures here.

19 Sept, 11am: The Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog has posted on their FB page of what seems to be an Honour Guard for 3SG Gavin Chan before he is being flown home.
Thank you for sharing.

19 Sept: 3SG Chan Hiang Cheng Gavin will be accorded the honours of a military funeral. (Source: ST)

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Straits Times: NSF's death in Australia: Vehicle landed on its side
Published Sep 17, 2017, 5:00 am SGT

The 21-year-old Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) full-time national serviceman who died on Friday at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, was guiding a vehicle out of difficult terrain when it landed on its side.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in an update yesterday that 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Gavin Chan Hiang Cheng, who was the vehicle commander of a Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle, was found unconscious next to the vehicle.

The driver and two other passengers travelling in the vehicle were unhurt, the statement said.

An SAF medic carried out resuscitation on 3SG Chan, and two SAF medical officers arrived shortly after to treat him.

He was evacuated via an SAF helicopter to Rockhampton Airport, and later transferred by local ambulance to Rockhampton Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

He was pronounced dead at 10.36pm Singapore time on Friday.

3SG Chan's next of kin arrived in Australia yesterday morning, accompanied by family-liaison officers from the SAF.

The serviceman, who was from the 41st Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, was taking part in Exercise Wallaby when the incident happened at 6.15pm (Singapore time).

Exercise Wallaby, an annual event now in its 27th year, is the SAF's largest unilateral overseas drill.

Mindef said that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. It added that a safety pause on training in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area has taken effect.

Mindef and SAF said that they are assisting 3SG Chan's family in this time of grief.

Source: Straits Times

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[Defending the Lion City] If Singaporeans don't defend Singapore, who will?

If we don't defend Singapore, who will?
By First Warrant Officer (Retired) Ali Pawiro, 14 March 2017
Published by The New Paper


I remember they barged into my home, taking all the canned food off our shelves. On both their wrists were watches, probably stolen from the households they raided before ours.

I asked: "Who were they? How could they just come in and take our stuff?"

I was just a 10-year-old boy.

When I was older, I worked in a bank as an office boy. I heard about the opportunity to enlist in the Singapore Volunteer Corps and went to sign up eagerly. But my application was rejected as I was underage. I applied again as soon as I was eligible.

Singapore Volunteer Corps Cap Badge circa 1928 - 1942 

Pic Source

While I cannot say exactly why I wanted to volunteer so badly, I believe my childhood experience might have been a major factor.

After joining as a volunteer in 1952, I worked my way up to become a corporal. They soon discovered I had a knack for instructing, so in 1954, 15 of us were selected as permanent staff instructors, trained by the British army.

I was eventually appointed regimental sergeant major of the Officer Cadet School, in charge of drills and weapons training.

I served as an instructor for years and had the opportunity to watch my son Azlan, and more recently my grandson Afiq, serve the nation.

I have seen some things change over the years, but there are also some which will always remain the same.

One key difference is the role of technology in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Since my time as an infantry instructor, our weapons have become lighter and they shoot faster. This has made us more agile.

I started off with the bolt-action rifles, then the self-loading ones, and finally the M16 rifles.

Now, I hear they have upgraded to the SAR-21 rifles.

I am a little jealous because Afiq tells me that the SAR-21 is even equipped with a laser-aiming device for better accuracy.

Even the changes in the SAF uniform over the years bear testament to the important role that technology plays in upgrading the SAF's capabilities.

Different SAF uniforms over the years 

Pic: AsiaOne

The pixelated uniform that Afiq wears is far lighter and more comfortable than the Temasek Green uniform I had.

Training methods have also improved. I remember when we were training under the Israeli Defence Force advisors before my posting to SAF Training Institute, we were told to dig trenches with our hands.

We tried to tell them this was impossible because the ground was hard rock. It was only after I showed them that even my cangkul (Malay for hoe) broke from digging that they conceded that their instruction was not very logical.

We have come a long way since. Our national servicemen today are highly educated, and lessons are now very detailed and structured.

Azlan and Afiq have told me of how their instructors explained what they were doing and why they were doing it.

This has helped them to better understand the rationale behind the training session and consequently, for the soldiers to train with stronger conviction.

As a former instructor myself, I cannot help but agree that those with a strong conviction are more committed to give of their best in training.

I have had my fair share of challenges, but never once did I feel that my sacrifices and hard work were not worth it.

My commitment to serve is still as fresh as it was when I signed up to be a volunteer. Azlan and Afiq feel the same way.

In our conversations after they enlisted for national service, they came to understand what an honour and great responsibility it was to put on the SAF uniform and defend Singapore.

I am confident that our servicemen and servicewomen feel the same.

Despite the many years of peace and prosperity that Singapore has enjoyed, we must never forget that what you cannot protect is not yours.

Skulls, bones and other grisly remains being exhumed from a mass grave of Operation Sook Ching victims in Bedok on June 10, 1966. Pic: The Straits Times

For this reason, NS is vital to our nation's survival and continued way of life.

Although technology has contributed to a strong NS system, our people and their sense of purpose are what matters most.

I think there was an important lesson for us to learn that day as we were digging the trenches.

Nobody likes to dig a trench, not even with a cangkul, especially under the hot sun, but we still do it anyway.

Why? Generation after generation, if we cannot overcome hardship, how can we think of doing the bigger things like defending our families and protecting this land we call home?

And if we don't protect Singapore, who will?


The writer spent 29 years in the army and was the Singapore Armed Forces Officer Cadet School's first Regimental Sergeant Major. Today (14 March 2017) is the 50th anniversary of the NS (Amendment) Bill.


Article Source: The New Paper

Read more here:
Mindef: Standard Singapore Military Rifles of the 20th Century

NLB Infopedia - Singapore Volunteer Corps

Singapore and Malaya Volunteer Corps

Mindef: Looks do matter - new SAF combat uniform

AsiaOne: Meet Singapore's No. 1 military buff who's spent over $80,000 on his collection

[Defending the Lion City] Budget 2017 - 3 new MINDEF/SAF initiatives

During the Budget 2017 debate, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen unveiled 3 initiatives for the SAF.
(1) Beefed up cyber defence command - Cyber Defence Group (CDG)
(2) Labs to research on Robots, AI and Data Analytics
(3) SAFTI City

Straits Times - "A new Cyber Defence Group (CDG) will also be created. It will comprise two operational units responsible for the 24/7 defence of the SAF's networks, and a Cyber Test and Evaluation Centre (CyTec). The two units - a Security Monitoring Unit and an Incident Response and Audit Unit - will perform round-the-clock monitoring of military networks, and deploy response teams to identify, contain and neutralise cyber threats. Under their watch, the security of SAF's networks will also be audited to boost their resilience."
FB post by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen

Straits Times - SAFTI City Video - A new training ground roughly the size of Bishan town will be built in western Singapore to let soldiers hone their urban fighting skills in real-life settings such as high-rise buildings, warehouses, and even an MRT station with multiple exits. This 88ha area, dubbed the Safti City, will allow soldiers to train in a dense urban environment that closely resembles Singapore's landscape when it is completed in the west of the country in 10 years

Pic: Channel NewsAsia - A closer look at the new SAFTI City, where soldiers can train in urban settings such as high-rise buildings and even an underground MRT station.

Straits Times - "Safti City, which will cost about $900 million, will be outfitted with instruments and video cameras that will instantly track the actions of units and individual soldiers. The first-of-its-kind facility here will allow troops to train in different types of operations, from counter-terrorism to coastal defence and to disaster relief."

Pic via FB post by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen

Straits Times - "As part of the revamp of the military premises in western Singapore, new grounds for infantry and armoured vehicle drills will be developed in the existing training areas of Pasir Laba, Ama Keng and the Murai Urban Training Facility. A variety of training scenarios - called Instrumented Battle Circuits - can be simulated in these areas. Like Safti City, the battle circuits will feature battlefield effects and monitoring systems."

FB post by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen

Straits Times - "Singapore's soldiers will have robots fighting alongside them in the future, in the form of unmanned ground vehicles armed with machine guns. In the skies, micro unmanned aerial drones will provide troops with greater situational awareness. These were the scenarios for the next generation of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), which were revealed by the Defence Ministry on Friday (March 3) during the Budget debate in Parliament."

My initial first impressions -

• So many exciting future developments. It almost makes me want to do NS all over again - that is  ONLY IF I could also be 18 again too! 
• NS training is going to be a whole lot more diverse and realistic, almost perhaps like 'Counter-Strike'. 
• No more "unlimited' bullets ("Bang Bang Bang!" hahaha...) or buggy 'laser bullets' during training. Now if you get "hit" more than 3 times in training, will you kena sign extra duty for lousy training performance?
• GPGT - Will soldiers be able to "replay" their attack/fire movements ala Counter-strike? 
• Cyber Defence Group (CDG) sounds very interesting and will be important to S'pore. However I'm pretty sure the memes/teases about being Keyboard Warriors for those assigned to the CDG are going to just flood the internet very soon.

Is this how the new Cyber Defence Group will look like on Parade?? #justkidding

Will CDG soldiers be teased about their "Matrix" powers? #justkidding

Read more here:

Straits Times - Mindef sets up new cyber command to beef up defence against cyber attacks (3 Mar 2017)

Straits Times - New cyber vocation 'selective and demanding' comparable to commandos and naval divers: Ong Ye Kung (3 Mar 2017)

Straits Times - New $900m training ground the size of Bishan to give soldiers realistic urban combat experience (3 Mar 2017)

Straits Times - Robots armed with machine guns to fight alongside soldiers (3 Mar 2017)