Is NS a waste of time
This is a question posed by LTA Adam and also a question i'm sure that every male singapore who is going to do, doing or have done NS have thought about? i am no exception.
Right at this moment, has NS been a waste of time? It's a not a definite yes or a resounding no, but an ongoing balancing of scales and waiting for one side to tip it over. It's been a waste of time because a lot of the knowledge we acquire now will go to waste with regular and consistent practice which we probably will never use in our future unless we sign on as a regular. I mean come on... where are u going to find a rifle to strip/ assemble in an office setting. For all the hours spent waiting for things to happen, for all the hours that have to be used to maintain weapons, to maintain stores, cleaning and whatever not, it has been quite a waste of time. It's a waste of time because out in the civilian world, girls our age are finishing their studies or already out in society. And what are we doing, cut away from society, having limited information about the world at large around us. When we book out, who wants to sit down and read the newspaper or watch the news, who has time for that. Guys want to go out to relax and enjoy themselves in the company of family, loved ones and friends. Do you see yourself sitting in a room reading the newspaper deligently i afraid not.
Having said all that, ns is not a waste of time if you choose to do best and value-add yourselves. You learnt to work with people, people you like, people you dislike, people from all walks of life. Learning to tolerate each other's nonsense, cooperate and capitalize on each others strength. And in the process, you've made a core group of good friends. Throw in all the shit and tough times, you have shared experience to last a life time. NS has made me view life in a different light, the need to cherish your loved ones, the struggles of our forefather, the question of our beliefs and many more things. The many things that we'll hope to improve and change in the future. It is in those lowest points and dire moments what most important to us and made them powerful beliefs are important for us to keep going on. "A object is only as strong as it's weakest point".
So right now, NS isn't a waste of time because it has taught me a lot of soft skills and helped me identify alot of my hopes, dreams, needs and wants. But it is a waste of time because it has also taken away the time needed to pursue those ideals.
