Sep 29, 2008
New citizens get a taste of army life
By Melissa Sim
Trying on SAF uniforms at the Singapore Discovery Centre, brothers (from left) Byron, Gavin and Simba pose with father Daniel and mother Flora. From Hong Kong, they became Singaporeans last month.
THE Yip brothers from Hong Kong yesterday got a chance to fire guns, clamber onto tanks and tuck into army rations at the Singapore Discovery Centre and Army Museum of Singapore.
For Gavin, 13, and his younger brothers Byron and Simba, aged 10 and seven, it was a fun-filled glimpse into their National Service (NS) days down the road - for they and their parents are newly-minted Singapore citizens.
The tour for new permanent residents and citizens like them introduces them to Singapore's history and national policies, including NS. It was organised by the residents' committees in Queenstown, where they live.
About 150 new immigrants from across the island have taken this tour since June. Some have also visited Pulau Tekong, where NS recruits start their training.
Such tours seem to have allayed parents' fears about NS.
The boys' mother Flora Yip, 44, for instance, said tours like this tell her that the army is operating in 'a safe and open manner'.
'We see the food they eat, we see where they are going to stay and it looks okay,' said Mrs Yip, who helps her husband Daniel with his business, which sells anti-ageing products.
Her eldest son Gavin was the most enthusiastic about the computer-simulated shooting range and was eager to try out the SAR 21, a Singapore-developed rifle.
His brother Simba, who tried his hand at shooting with the M16 rifle, scored a respectable three hits out of eight.
The new citizens, originally from China, the Philippines and Hong Kong, also watched a multimedia presentation of the army's call to war.
Lifelike explosions were simulated, at which many immediately covered their ears. Wind, smoke and splashes of water were added to the show for a spot of realism.
The topic of citizens skipping NS came up last month, when three Norwegian brothers who left Singapore after their O levels were barred from denouncing their Singapore citizenship because they had not served their NS here.
NS regulations state that only those who emigrate at a very young age with their families and have not enjoyed the privilege of Singapore citizenship can apply to renounce their Singapore citizenship without having first served NS.
The parents on yesterday's tour all felt NS would be good for their children as it would breed independence and maturity in them.
Madam Lia M. Oliveross, 47, a permanent resident who came to Singapore from the Philippines five years ago, said: 'It will benefit my son. He will learn more and become more disciplined.'
Of the camaraderie built in the army, the housewife said: 'He will get to meet people from different backgrounds - rich, poor, the well-educated, everyone.'
Mr Yip, 48, said: 'We must teach our children that NS is not terrible. It's part of the job description of being Singaporean
New citizens get a taste of army life
By Melissa Sim
Trying on SAF uniforms at the Singapore Discovery Centre, brothers (from left) Byron, Gavin and Simba pose with father Daniel and mother Flora. From Hong Kong, they became Singaporeans last month.
THE Yip brothers from Hong Kong yesterday got a chance to fire guns, clamber onto tanks and tuck into army rations at the Singapore Discovery Centre and Army Museum of Singapore.
For Gavin, 13, and his younger brothers Byron and Simba, aged 10 and seven, it was a fun-filled glimpse into their National Service (NS) days down the road - for they and their parents are newly-minted Singapore citizens.
The tour for new permanent residents and citizens like them introduces them to Singapore's history and national policies, including NS. It was organised by the residents' committees in Queenstown, where they live.
About 150 new immigrants from across the island have taken this tour since June. Some have also visited Pulau Tekong, where NS recruits start their training.
Such tours seem to have allayed parents' fears about NS.
The boys' mother Flora Yip, 44, for instance, said tours like this tell her that the army is operating in 'a safe and open manner'.
'We see the food they eat, we see where they are going to stay and it looks okay,' said Mrs Yip, who helps her husband Daniel with his business, which sells anti-ageing products.
Her eldest son Gavin was the most enthusiastic about the computer-simulated shooting range and was eager to try out the SAR 21, a Singapore-developed rifle.
His brother Simba, who tried his hand at shooting with the M16 rifle, scored a respectable three hits out of eight.
The new citizens, originally from China, the Philippines and Hong Kong, also watched a multimedia presentation of the army's call to war.
Lifelike explosions were simulated, at which many immediately covered their ears. Wind, smoke and splashes of water were added to the show for a spot of realism.
The topic of citizens skipping NS came up last month, when three Norwegian brothers who left Singapore after their O levels were barred from denouncing their Singapore citizenship because they had not served their NS here.
NS regulations state that only those who emigrate at a very young age with their families and have not enjoyed the privilege of Singapore citizenship can apply to renounce their Singapore citizenship without having first served NS.
The parents on yesterday's tour all felt NS would be good for their children as it would breed independence and maturity in them.
Madam Lia M. Oliveross, 47, a permanent resident who came to Singapore from the Philippines five years ago, said: 'It will benefit my son. He will learn more and become more disciplined.'
Of the camaraderie built in the army, the housewife said: 'He will get to meet people from different backgrounds - rich, poor, the well-educated, everyone.'
Mr Yip, 48, said: 'We must teach our children that NS is not terrible. It's part of the job description of being Singaporean
:p
