Mishap of NSF

A third NSF passed away recently have rekindled the safety procedures in the National Service, a military conscription by Singapore since 1967.

As a matter of fact, our army have progressed tremendously in terms of technology over the past decades. Today, we have reached a stage called 3G army, where majority of the fighting includes the involvement of high tech machinery and equipments. Compared to the past, soldiers of this generation are generally treated better. Hurling of abuses were less rampant as before, provision of food are now mend by commercial caterers like NTUC and SFI, medical facilities and safety personnel are deployed whenever there is physical training. A recent deaths of Fulltime National Service man do raise question on the management and the running of the SAF that is widely unknown to public, less the men who have gone through NS.

I believed that all 3 deaths that happened are just unfortunate and the general public should not pinpoint SAF until a clearer investigation has been done. In the most recent case, it was understood that PTE Foo Wei Rong had a medical certificate from SGH for sprains and strains of the knee and leg and was given light duty which is Att B status. This status would allow him to be excuse from any forms of physical exercise. Though he did not submit this medical certificate to the medical centre for endorsement, the death does not seem to have a close relation to his injured leg.

Having completed the national service in recent years, I do realise some of the potential dangers of medical status. The commanders do not always keep track on the medical status of the men, especially when a medical certificate was obtained outside camp during a weekend. It is up to the individuals and even buddies to look out if there is anything wrong with each other as they are the closest companions around. Safety briefings are done by officers prior to physical activities and those who are not feeling well may be requested to fall out by seeking permission. As an adult to be at the age of more than 18 years old, one must be able to signal to his buddy or even the commanders if they feel they are unfit to continue.

However, for some cases, soldiers who are unfit or excused would have to do some fatigue work. This may not be welcome by some of the "garang" soldiers who rather go through the exercise with their section or platoon mates. Hence, they choose not to report as they felt they are capable of completing the activity and also preferring not to do the fatigue work.

Ultimately, other than the special forces in the army, the trainings are adhered to the training standards and procedures. Safety personnel and facilities are also being prepared and ensured by the commanders around. Together with briefings by the safety officers, extra measures are done to check with the trainees. It is also the part of the trainees to report their physical conditions correctly to their superiors. Only then, training risk can be narrowed down.

Deaths do come sudden sometimes. When death occurred in the army, society generally relates the death with the risky activities in SAF they perceived.