In the Army...
I was pretty bummed that Singapore chose to do a skit about their education system during the SEA Night. Imagine that it was supposed to be the first item. Imagine how many people would have walked out. Sort of proves my point of Singapore not having much of a culture of its own. But they did redeem themselves with the highly entertaining lion dance routine.
The skit got me thinking about Singapore and how they have their National Service for guys who have completed their high-school education. They spend two years of their lives in military training while their female counterparts, being spared, get a good head start in university.
It’s really weird for me to meet Singaporean freshmen who are my age. It’s just crazy how they’re like so eager and wide eyed, while I’m already at the burnt-out and jaded stage. It makes me wonder how the guys feel when there are girls their age graduating while they’re still dealing with their 200-level courseload.
I was told by a former NS Commando that their training revolves around a possible attach on Malaysia. When they train, they train against dummies wearing fatigues similar to the ones in the Malaysian army. The weapons are also that used by the Malaysian Army (Russian assault rifles). Apparently, even their attack drills are fashioned for a left and right swoop, which is ideal in a situation when you’re attacking from where Singapore is from Malaysia. Doesn’t that make your Malaysian blood boil?
Across the straits, Malaysia is trying out NS too. Probably trying to do a better job by having both boys and girls participate. Well, to me, the trial stages have shown us that it was a big mistake getting the girls involved. Put old depraved army officers in charge of young female high school graduates, and BAM! You make headlines. And that is exactly what happened.
I’m just glad that I got out of the system before they came up with these whacky ideas. I would have appreciated the use of the English language in math and science courses, but that’s as far as it goes.
The skit got me thinking about Singapore and how they have their National Service for guys who have completed their high-school education. They spend two years of their lives in military training while their female counterparts, being spared, get a good head start in university.
It’s really weird for me to meet Singaporean freshmen who are my age. It’s just crazy how they’re like so eager and wide eyed, while I’m already at the burnt-out and jaded stage. It makes me wonder how the guys feel when there are girls their age graduating while they’re still dealing with their 200-level courseload.
I was told by a former NS Commando that their training revolves around a possible attach on Malaysia. When they train, they train against dummies wearing fatigues similar to the ones in the Malaysian army. The weapons are also that used by the Malaysian Army (Russian assault rifles). Apparently, even their attack drills are fashioned for a left and right swoop, which is ideal in a situation when you’re attacking from where Singapore is from Malaysia. Doesn’t that make your Malaysian blood boil?
Across the straits, Malaysia is trying out NS too. Probably trying to do a better job by having both boys and girls participate. Well, to me, the trial stages have shown us that it was a big mistake getting the girls involved. Put old depraved army officers in charge of young female high school graduates, and BAM! You make headlines. And that is exactly what happened.
I’m just glad that I got out of the system before they came up with these whacky ideas. I would have appreciated the use of the English language in math and science courses, but that’s as far as it goes.
posted by Mike Ng at 6:21 PM
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