Tag: Military

  • In Defence of National Service

    National Service is the bane of every Singaporean son. At the age of 18, every Singaporean male must serve a two-year term as a conscript. Following his discharge, he becomes a reservist, and must undergo annual fitness tests and in-camp training for a minimum of 10 cycles. Failure to enlist is punishable by imprisonment and…

  • 9 Deaths in Peacetime

    In the past 16 months, 9 servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces have passed away. The latest death occurred on 23rd January, when Corporal First Class (NS) Aloysius Pang was struck by a moving howitzer barrel during a maintenance operation. The following are my thoughts, first penned on Facebook. — The purpose of the military…

  • Trump’s Decision on Transsexuals in the Military is A Wise Choice

    I was a soldier. I served for two years in the Singapore Armed Forces. My duties involved administration for my unit, focusing on personnel issues. My unit was deployed operationally to hunt for an escaped terrorist. Today I am still liable for reservist duties in a similar capacity. Based on my experiences, I can unequivocally…

  • Anime Analysis: GATE – Thus the JSDF Fought There!

      GATE – Thus the JSDF Fought There had all the ingredients for awesomeness: modern military technology, high fantasy setting, magic, politics, war. And squandered everything. The anime started promisingly enough. A mysterious gateway opens in Ginza. An army of legionnaires, orcs and dragons pours out. The Japanese Self Defense Force responds decisively, defeating the invasion.…

  • Singapore's hybrid warfare strategy is lacking

    Singapore’s strategy for countering hybrid warfare is focused on the military and cyber fields. Unfortunately, hybrid warfare is fought mainly at the moral level.

  • Media and the Maturation of Fourth Generation War

    The recent trend of criminal and terrorist violence across the world points to the maturation of fourth generation warfare. The media will be an important factor in this brave new war, both as actor and target.