From: elejaya@nuscc.nus.sg (Jayasooriah)
Subject: Re: Singapore National Service
Organization: National University of Singapore
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 08:55:03 GMT

zlim@bnr.ca (Zack Lim) writes:
: In fact, my manager was shock too when
: he received my resignation.

That is precisely my point.  Anyone, let alone your manager, would IMO
be surprised if you left Singapore just because of the two weeks of
reservist training a year.

: What do you mean by getting away with the idea ...?  I am not asking for 
: an Officer appointment or anything special.

You do not get an Officer appointment by asking for it.  You have to
work for it and prove yourself!

: Just make use of my skill for
: the benefit of the country, that is all I asked.

If your skill is not what the army wants from you, what then?  If the
army wants to employ your skills, it is what the army things about your
skill that matters, not your own opinion.  I was merly making the point
that not everyone can do what he/she wants to do all the time.

: 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.

One swallow does not make a summer.

: 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.

You do not know a thing about me.  I like to leave it as that.

: 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.

You are making the assumption that the "brain drain" is a result of
reservist training!  Arent there other reasons, more potent ones?

: |> 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.

Another generalisation and an unsubstantiated one.  IMO, Singaporeans
have accepted reservist training as part and parcel of life in here and
a constantly working on ways to make it better.  IMO the debate here is
no longer on whether or not National Service is necessary, but how can
we reward reservists for their efforts.  If you are saying the rewards
are not enought, point noted.


: |> 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.

My point is this.  While I agree that reservist training is a chore,
that often disrupts our own pursuits, it certainly cannot be so bad that
one choses to leave his country on this count alone.  If it was really
that bad for you, you are certainly in the minority, IMO.  Ask your
friends, how many Singaporeans left Singapore because of reservist
training alone - the point that you have repeatedly made.

: 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.

Another generalisation here isnt it.  You do not know if I am a reservist,
or if I am, if I have "power and authority"! Thus you are making conclusions
not based on facts!

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

You made your personal experiences the issue.  I refuted them.  If you
want to rebut, stick to my arguments, not me.  Reminds me of the advise
one hockey coach to his players: "I want you to win, hook or crook.  If
you cant get the ball, make sure you get his leg".

: 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.

Just as much as you conclude your personal opinions are that of "a whole
group of us ... US, Canada, Australia, etc", you now conclude my opinion
is that of the Singapore goverment.  Talk about generalisations!

Jaya

-- 
Jayasooriah PhD,    EE Dept, NUS | Sign on the window of an Oregon store:    
10 Kent Ridge Cr, Singapore 0511 |                                           
Tel/Fax: +65 772-2295 / 772-1103 |           "Why go elsewhere to be cheated,
Internet:   elejaya@nuscc.nus.sg |                   when you can come here?"