From: zlim@bnr.ca (Zack Lim)
Subject: Re: Singapore National Service
Reply-To: zlim@bnr.ca (Zack Lim)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 92 14:28:47 GMT

In article <1992Apr7.025047.24640@nuscc.nus.sg>, elejaya@nuscc.nus.sg (Jayasooriah) writes:
|> zlim@bnr.ca (Zack Lim) writes:
|> Hmm.. you decided to leave your country in consideration of about two
|> weeks or so per year of reservist training.  Surely you must have more
|> reasons than that (I am not suggesting that you do not have valid
|> reasons but that I find it hard to believe that the reservist training
|> is the only one, or for that matter an important one).
|> 
If you have seen my previous posting, you will know why.  Yes, it is that
bad and it is the major reason.  In fact, my manager was shock too when
he received my resignation.

|> : ... By the way, I was the OC
|> : runner in my first 3 reservist training. 
|> : ... I couldn't take any longer
|> : and I request CMPB to down grade me to a rifle man.  That is when I feel
|> : life was slightly better.  But that is not the point.  I feel that if I am
|> : willing to serve the country, the government should at least listen to me.
|> : I am not asking them to exempt me, but at least let me serve wisely.
|> 
|> Many people get away with the idea that just because they have proven
|> themselves in civilian life, they should be given appointments likewise
|> in military life.  While this true on a statistical basis, I have known
|> very successful people who are misfits in the army, and vice versa.

What do you mean by getting away with the idea ...?  I am not asking for 
an Officer appointment or anything special.  Just make use of my skill for
the benefit of the country, that is all I asked.  I don't want and like to be in
a position where I am ordered around by a power maniac officer who thinks he
can get away with using his rank.  Incidentally, for your info, cleaning
rifle, etc was not a punishment I received, rather it was the power craze 
officer who enjoys seeing people being humiliated.  There is worst thing than
that, but it's no use getting into more detail.  Let bygones be bygones.

By the way, if I may ask, are you on the reserve?  If you are, I hope that you
will not be one of those power craze authority.  Have respect for your fellow
being and you will receive the same.  Also, try to put yourself on some others 
shoe before you make judgement.  Obviously, you have not been through the worst
before.
|> 
|> 
|> This has been addressed to some extent lately.  However, one must bear
|> in mind that prefential treatment to reservists does upset those who are
|> not reservists (e.g. women and in general non-reservists).  Some
|> compensatory measures have been implemented for reservists in
|> recognition of their service to the country.
|> 
I am glad they are finally doing something.  If they want to stop the brain
drain problem, that is the prize they have to pay.  There is no such thing
as a free lunch in this world.

|> As I see it, there are basically two types of reservists - those who
|> actively enjoy military life and those who do not.

May I add, those who enjoy military life are those who have the power and
authority, and worst yet abuse it.

|> 
|> Those who do not actively enjoy military life can be further classified
|> as two types - those who do the best they can, and those who constantly
|> whine about reservist training and do the least they can.
|> 

I guess in your view, my best wasn't good enough.  How much more do you
consider best is the best?  Any person with a sane mind can only tolerate
to a certain limit.  If the limit is exceeded, then there is objection.
"whine about reservist training and do the least they can", sorry I am not
in that category, otherwise I would still be there serving.  I choose the 
last choice, that is get out of the game.

|> Of the people in the first two categories, they get to do what they have
|> shown to be capable of.  These people, whether or not they are officers
|> (or OC runners) usually do not make an issue of the two weeks or so of
|> annual reservist training committments.
|> 
 
Obviously, you belong to those who have the power and authority.  Lets hope
that you don't abuse it, that's all I can say.

|> Those in the last category are the people, IMO, who will find themselves
|> carrying out tasks that do not commensurate with their abilities - no
|> commander would want to assign authority to a person who will not
|> excercise it in the interests of the group as a whole.  After all, that
|> is what military discipline is all about - subjudicating ones own ideas
|> of what is right and wrong to that of the army as a whole.

I don't know about you.  IMHO, any capable sane person would want to do their
best given an assignment.  Remember your IEEE ethics!!!!!!!!

|> 
|> My obversation is that the position you find yourself in is not just
|> because the "army didnt listen to you" - you have also to take part of
|> the blame.  There are many of us in no different situation from you who
|> succeeded in getting the army to "listen" to us.  Have you considered
|> the possiblity that there are so many people who want to do what you
|> want to do?

All I hear from you is, you have bad attitude that is why you have so much
problem with reservist.  No wonder, Singapore has brain drain problem.  If 
the government take your stand, I am sure there is going to be more people
leaving.  Mind you, I know many people are complaining, a whole group of 
us are in US, Canada, Australia, etc.
If Singapore is complaining about brain-drain problem, don't you think there
is a BIG problem and the government should do something about it to bring them all
back?  STOP discouraging us, THANK YOU.

|> 
|> Jaya
|> -- 
|> Jayasooriah PhD,    EE Dept, NUS | Sign on the  grounds of a private school: 
|> 10 Kent Ridge Cr, Singapore 0511 |                                           
|> Tel/Fax: +65 772-2295 / 772-1103 |       "No trespassing without permission."
|> Internet:   elejaya@nuscc.nus.sg |                                           

Zack.

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