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- Aug 6, 2008
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someone with a new account pm me this, guess he is under moderation and is desperate to post this
I had served as a full-time National Serviceman with the Republic of Singapore Navy headquarters, and though I was downgraded to Physical Employment Status E, I was liable for reservist training after my Operationally Ready Date in 1993.
While I waited to be called up, I dutifully applied for exit permits and notified the Ministry of Defence whenever I went overseas.
In February, I was notified that I was no longer liable for any reservist obligations.
NSmen like me should be recognised, say, with a certificate, for being on standby during our liability for call-ups. The usual In-Camp Training cycle was 13 years (10 years now) before NSmen were phased into MINDEF Reserve, while I waited almost 19 years.
If I was medically unfit for reservist training, why was I not discharged upon my ORD? Is this a procedural lapse? NSmen in the same situation as mine face this unknown.
This year, we celebrate 45 years of NS with the theme “From fathers to sons”. Unlike active NSmen, I have nothing to remember my reservist years by, nor a memento to pass to my son.
While my sacrifices and contributions were less than those of active NSmen, my readiness to be called up by my country deserves more than a yearly tax relief alone.
.
Andrew Soh Wei Mun
I had served as a full-time National Serviceman with the Republic of Singapore Navy headquarters, and though I was downgraded to Physical Employment Status E, I was liable for reservist training after my Operationally Ready Date in 1993.
While I waited to be called up, I dutifully applied for exit permits and notified the Ministry of Defence whenever I went overseas.
In February, I was notified that I was no longer liable for any reservist obligations.
NSmen like me should be recognised, say, with a certificate, for being on standby during our liability for call-ups. The usual In-Camp Training cycle was 13 years (10 years now) before NSmen were phased into MINDEF Reserve, while I waited almost 19 years.
If I was medically unfit for reservist training, why was I not discharged upon my ORD? Is this a procedural lapse? NSmen in the same situation as mine face this unknown.
This year, we celebrate 45 years of NS with the theme “From fathers to sons”. Unlike active NSmen, I have nothing to remember my reservist years by, nor a memento to pass to my son.
While my sacrifices and contributions were less than those of active NSmen, my readiness to be called up by my country deserves more than a yearly tax relief alone.
.
Andrew Soh Wei Mun
