When I was a young boy, I was fascinated by the high tech toys of the American Armed Forces. The American airpower especially, was the thing that got me really excited. I could remember the names and makes of planes, their type of armaments, their take off weight, engine thrust and even their make of ejector seats. Time passed, I soon learnt about the toys the Singapore Armed forces had too. It was good knowing that Singapore had the weapons and capabilities that could really protect us in times of war. I've always believed Singapore was a really capable army, despite its citizens thinking otherwise. After a while, I entered NS. I got a shock. Most of the things that I knew and revered about the army was wrong. There were so many slackers, hardly any professionalism. There's a great big difference between serving your country and just doing your job in the military. I was afraid of what would happen if war broke out. I started doubting our army's capabilities and hating authorative figures. But, like all bad things, there will somehow be something good and nice that evens things out. During live firing in FIBUA, I had a chat with an NCO that had gone through Commandos, Sniper school (master instructor), Airborne (Master jumper in Singapore and the American Rangers), US Army Ranger, Singapore Ranger, Naval Diver courses. Most importantly of all, he was SOF (special operations force). He told me not to compare NSF with the armies of other countries because there would be no comparison. We are just doing something that we have no control over. The right thing to do, he said, would be to compare our Regulars instead. There are so many regulars in the army who have gone through grueling courses held overseas. We really do have professionally trained people within our midst. He told me there wasn't a thing as who's better or more capable. As long as a mission is given to you and you get it done, you are good. It doesn't matter if you are Navy SEALS or Singapore Commandos. All these and much more was told to me, as he sat down on his field chair and smoked his pipe. Singaporeans, sleep well. You are in really good hands. Savant at 7/11/2004 10:52:00 am ;
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