NS, over the years has lost its original meaning and purpose. With the way it is run these days, I do not blame fellow Singaporean males for begrudging this so-called service to the nation.
My cohorts and I were called up for NS after graduation during the years when the British forces withdrew from east of suez. The Malaysians were at our doorstep ready to fill the vacuum created by British withdrawal.
We had our gripes during that time too because we see foreign students (including Malaysians), some of who were our class mates, picking up all the best jobs while we served our national commitment.
We were armed with whatever the British left behind. This even meant we were issued with second hand British uniforms which were oversized for us Asians.
On the other hand, we were aware that we are training to defend our own family and kin from experiencing another Malaysian rule, who would come as invaders and not bound by any pact as was in the previous arrangement.
