{"id":40704,"date":"2024-09-25T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T01:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/?p=40704"},"modified":"2024-12-24T11:29:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T03:29:13","slug":"bonding-across-generations-what-has-changed-and-hasnt-changed-about-national-service-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/bonding-across-generations-what-has-changed-and-hasnt-changed-about-national-service-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Bonding across generations: What has changed (and hasn\u2019t changed) about National Service"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The food may be miles better and the culture less \u201crabak\u201d (Malay for \u201cwild\u201d) as a whole, but regardless of generation, National Service (NS) remains an essential experience that bestows those who serve with skills for life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Asked about his first day of NS in 1986, and DAC (NS) Jonathan Wan describes scenes reminiscent of a dramatic adventure film.<\/p>

He recalls first reporting to the austere barracks-like Central Manpower Base (CMPB) in Dempsey, then bidding goodbye to his tearful grandmother and parents before riding on an RPL (ramp-powered lighter) \u2014 an unsheltered landing craft used to transport vehicles \u2014 to Pulau Tekong, surrounded fellow enlistees.\u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it was exciting, but it was memorable,\u201d says\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>, 55.\u00a0<\/p>

Fast forward to 2007, and SGT1 (NS) Mohammed Fauzi Bin Abdul Aziz, 34, describes a rather different experience when he reported to the Basic Rescue Training Centre (BRTC) at Jalan Bahar. Having heard stories from his father and his older siblings about NS, Fauzi had felt some trepidation, but he was surprised by the tidy cluster of buildings that greeted him. \u201cThe facilities were very nice,\u201d he says. \u201cHonestly, when I went in, I was like, \u2018Hey, this is like a holiday camp\u2019.\u201d<\/p>

Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0served as a Staff Officer with the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Fauzi served as an Info-comms Operator in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) technology department. But despite their starkly different, decades-apart introductions to NS, both men\u00a0\u2014 in a conversation about their experiences \u2014 agree that what remains a constant is how NS serves as a rite of passage.<\/p>

\u201cI think a lot of the formative skill sets that I learnt while I was at NS gave me the confidence to take me on my next journey in life,\u201d says Fauzi, who, like\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>, currently volunteers with HomeTeamNS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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HOW NS HAS EVOLVED TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF NSMEN <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the words of Fauzi, NS was more\u00a0rabak<\/em>\u00a0(Malay for \u201cwild\u201d) in the past. \u201cOver the years, training programmes, facilities and even the food have improved,\u201d he says. \u201cAs Jonathan mentioned, how the different generations respond to training is very different, so I personally think it\u2019s important that NS is always ready to evolve.\u201d<\/p>

Technological shifts have also transformed NS experiences, as\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0recounts how he had to use physical textbooks, while today\u2019s servicemen get to use digital ones. \u201cWe had to go to the store to take our textbooks and bring them back to our bunk,\u201d he shares, adding that the many textbooks on police law were especially heavy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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More importantly, the emphasis on mental health and the well-being of NSmen has grown, fostering a more understanding and supportive environment.\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0notes that there are now more resources to address psychological well-being and to understand servicemen\u2019s concerns. \u201cIn the past, it was \u2018one command, one action\u2019, \u2018don\u2019t tell me you can\u2019t\u2019,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>

This shift in mindset is a welcome one, adds Fauzi. \u201cI feel that the increased consideration of NSFs\u2019 well-being now is important, so that no matter an individual\u2019s situation, they will be able to serve NS in the most suitable vocation and still contribute to the nation,\u201d he elaborates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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ACQUIRING SKILLS THAT WILL SERVE YOU FOR LIFE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Despite these changes, the quintessential challenges of NS, such as its physical demands, remain \u2014 as Fauzi quips: \u201cYes, I definitely lost weight. Did I keep it off? No.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

In secondary school, he had been much fitter, but things took a nosedive in junior college when he became focused on studying for his exams. \u201cI honestly regret this,\u201d he laments. \u201cIf I could change my NS experience a little, it would be to prepare a bit more physically. I think things would have been easier.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Jonathan agrees on the need to be prepared, although having been more active when he was in junior college, he was relatively better able to meet the physical demands of NS. \u201cBut of course, we [still] didn\u2019t know what was going to happen in the exercises,\u201d he says.<\/p>

Even though they served in different vocations, both bonded over how they found confidence through their experiences in NS. Fauzi shares how he not only learnt useful skills like basic first aid and firefighting knowledge from being in the SCDF, but also soft skills like how to work more independently and how to lead a team.<\/p>

Transitioning from his initial deployment to info-comms operations, he discovered a natural aptitude for communication, and ended up becoming the best trainee in his cohort. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t go through NS, I don\u2019t think I\u2019d be doing what I\u2019m doing now,\u201d says Fauzi, who is now a content creator. \u201cNS made me a more self-directed person, able to work towards a goal.\u201d<\/p>

Likewise,\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0shared how as an SPF officer, he interacted a lot with people on the ground. The experience helped him grow and become better at communicating with people from all walks of life. \u201cIt gave me confidence,\u201d adds\u00a0<\/span>Jonathan<\/span>, who is now an\u00a0executive coach and senior consultant.<\/span><\/p>

Their stories converge when they share the profound personal growth and professional development fostered by NS. \u201cThe skill sets we picked up will somehow always be useful and relevant to us beyond our time in NS. No matter the vocation, NSFs will have had to learn how to become young adults who are confident leaders,\u201d says Fauzi.\u00a0<\/p>

Joking that perhaps they have the \u201csame genes\u201d despite the generation gap,\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0concurred that NS had a very positive impact on him. It offered him a broad spectrum of experiences, from gaining insight into everyday realities to taking on diverse roles such as drafting policy papers and commanding his own unit. \u201cThere were a lot of learning points,\u201d he adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A CONTINUING LEGACY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Long after completing their NS, both\u00a0Jonathan<\/span> and Fauzi remain actively involved with the Home Team, in particular serving as a volunteer with HomeTeamNS: the former as co-chairman of HomeTeamNS\u2019s Guardians Network and the latter as a member of the HomeTeamNS\u2019s Branding and Publicity Committee. Their ongoing commitment reflects a deep-seated belief in giving back to the community and supporting the next generation of NSmen.<\/p>

As both put it, NS is \u201cno choice\u201d \u2014 but it can be a meaningful experience if one goes in with the right mindset. Fauzi shares that many of the younger Singaporeans he meets through work are understandably apprehensive about NS before enlisting, but an open mind is key. \u201cGo with the intention of learning and even growing up and becoming a better individual. Then you will find that two years will fly by very quickly,\u201d he advises.\u00a0<\/p>

Agreeing,\u00a0Jonathan<\/span>\u00a0notes that his own NS experience was helped by the people who worked with him and mentored him \u2014 something he carried on when he became NS Commander of Public Transport Security Command (TransCom) and a mentor. \u201cNS is made meaningful by the people around that make it meaningful, too,\u201d he says. \u201cAt TransCom, we mentored [the NSmen] and made sure that their life is interesting and meaningful, and they\u2019re not just \u2018passing by\u2019.\u201d<\/p>

Though rooted in different times and experiences, the meaning both drew from their experiences in NS is what keeps them connected to the Home Team. Says Fauzi: \u201cAt the end of the day, you are in control of how to make your NS life more fulfilling. If you want to give back, just do it \u2014 there are avenues for you to volunteer with.\u201d<\/p>

Check out how Jonathan\u00a0and Fauzi bond over their NS stories:<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Like our stories? Subscribe to our\u00a0Frontline Digital newsletters<\/a>\u00a0now! Simply download the\u00a0HomeTeamNS Mobile App<\/a>\u00a0and update your communication preference to \u2018Receive Digital Frontline Magazine\u2019, through the App Settings.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The food may be miles better and the culture less \u201crabak\u201d (Malay for \u201cwild\u201d) as a whole, but regardless of generation, National Service (NS) remains an essential experience that bestows those who serve with skills for life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":35179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,27,39],"tags":[285],"class_list":["post-40704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-close-up","category-spotlight","category-featured"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBonding across generations: What has changed (and hasn\u2019t changed) about National Service - Frontline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The food may 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