<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>National servicemen should look after their own well-being
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I AM saddened to read of another national serviceman who died while exercising (SAF warrant officer dies after 3km run, April 18).
In recent years, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has introduced stringent procedures to test all servicemen, whether regulars or national servicemen, on their medical condition to determine their level of fitness and health before recruitment and placement. Officers today are also more cautious and take measures to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel.
However, there is only so much the SAF or officers can do to prevent a mishap or tragedy. National servicemen themselves have a role to play. They know their limits and should not push beyond them as that could be disastrous.
The rule of thumb for national servicemen is this: Do not be afraid to drop out if you are not well or you feel your limit is stretched. It is not about completing the race or what others say or fear of retribution from officers. Stop if you cannot go on.
SAF officers should also exercise authority with compassion and learn to distinguish between genuine medical cases and malingering.
Today, there are a number of young servicemen with medical conditions such as asthma who can still serve national service. It is therefore imperative that officers be aware of their medical conditions before letting them engage in strenuous activities. I suggest that servicemen with medical ailments be tagged so officers can easily identify them. Kumar Pillay Thangavalu
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I AM saddened to read of another national serviceman who died while exercising (SAF warrant officer dies after 3km run, April 18).
In recent years, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has introduced stringent procedures to test all servicemen, whether regulars or national servicemen, on their medical condition to determine their level of fitness and health before recruitment and placement. Officers today are also more cautious and take measures to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel.
However, there is only so much the SAF or officers can do to prevent a mishap or tragedy. National servicemen themselves have a role to play. They know their limits and should not push beyond them as that could be disastrous.
The rule of thumb for national servicemen is this: Do not be afraid to drop out if you are not well or you feel your limit is stretched. It is not about completing the race or what others say or fear of retribution from officers. Stop if you cannot go on.
SAF officers should also exercise authority with compassion and learn to distinguish between genuine medical cases and malingering.
Today, there are a number of young servicemen with medical conditions such as asthma who can still serve national service. It is therefore imperative that officers be aware of their medical conditions before letting them engage in strenuous activities. I suggest that servicemen with medical ailments be tagged so officers can easily identify them. Kumar Pillay Thangavalu
