[Androgeos Exeunt]

For those who are not familiar with how conscription works in Singapore, please see this Wikipedia article and consult the Enlistment section.

I went downstairs to collect the mail this morning when I noticed an orange envelope from the Ministry of Defence. It was addressed to my mum, but because the background of the front was tiled with "PARENT'S LETTER", I knew it was referring to me, so when I got home, I sorted out the junk mail before opening it.

The inside of the envelope contained a pink slip in addition to a block of text. An excerpt of the text in the envelope follows. The time on it is Singapore Standard Time, GMT/UTC+8.

Dear Sir / Mdm,

1. This is to inform you that your son/ward has been scheduled for enlistment into full-time National Service on 09 Jun 2011 at 12:45 PM.

2. We would like to invite you to witness your son/ward's enlistment at the unit. Enclosed is a copy of the unit's invitation letter.

The pink slip is a letter from the training centre. An excerpt of the text follows.

Please be informed that your son will be enlisted for full-time National Service. He will be posted to Pulau Tekong for Basic Military Training.

[Insert transportation and enlistment ceremony details here]

So ... yeah, I've been called up.

My lecturers and schoolmates who have served or are currently serving the military tell me that National Service is actually more boring than it sounds or looks. Having never seen the inside of the Singaporean military machine, I'm still feeling rather nervous about it, even though I do my best not to be scared away by the stereotypes that surrounds National Service.

I have one month to put my affairs in order. This basically means getting a haircut, a new pair of spectacles and sending a PM to Darius.

[Nuclear1]

Holy ****.  That's heavy.

[Rodo]

Yeah, that sucks, they are basically throwing away all your plans and putting this new one in place... hell no!

[Zacam]

We'll keep the Beams warm and the Thrusters hot for ya.

Keep your head level, and hopefully it all turns out fine.

[Mustang19]

It was nice having you here AE. :salute:

May your military service be brief and devoid of surprises.

[Unknown Target]

Yeah, that sucks, they are basically throwing away all your plans and putting this new one in place... hell no!

The Wikipedia entry says that "requires all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents who have reached the age of 18 to enrol in the military. They serve a two-year period as Full Time National Servicemen (NSFs), either in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)."

Not a bad deal, I guess. It's sort of like the mandatory university in the States. :\ At least you get to see the workings of the system and determine whether or not you think it's a good idea to keep it. Good luck. My brother just joined the military, I'm going to see his bootcamp graduation soon. It seems like he's really enjoying it so far.

[Dilmah G]

You'll be fine, Andro. Have any idea of a specialization you want to go for?

[bobbtmann]

You'll be fine, Andro. Have any idea of a specialization you want to go for?

They might provide you with some good training in whatever technology they use. It might be of some use after you've finished.

[Thaeris]

If your commanders are honerable people, I believe that your service will make you all the better as a person. That is at least what I can cite from my ROTC experience.

In all, what I also found is as far as you do not quit, you will not fail. Good luck and many blessings, Andro.

[IronBeer]

Stay safe, stay smart, stay strong. We'll keep you in mind.

[General Battuta]

You ain't no fortunate son?

[headdie]

Good luck mate and I hope you come out of it well, I for one is look forward to hearing Some of your exploits of the next 2+ years

[Pred the Penguin]

Well good luck to you!

I'm basically gonna avoid conscription and leave this country I'm in.

[Dilmah G]

Aren't you still subject to conscription if you're a citizen of the country?

[sigtau]

I wish you the best of luck, Androgeos.  At any rate, you'll get through this, if you can survive the harsh debates of General Discussion.

You ain't no fortunate son?

SOME FOLKS ARE BORN TO WAAAAAAVE THE FLAG

[Locutus of Borg]

Can you get out of it by going to school?

[Nemesis6]

I wish you the best of luck, Androgeos.  At any rate, you'll get through this, if you can survive the harsh debates of General Discussion.

You ain't no fortunate son?

SOME FOLKS ARE BORN TO WAAAAAAVE THE FLAG

And in this case, they're just red and white.

[newman]

Have fun

[Jeff Vader]

[Snail]

Oh.


Well, this is awkward.

/has a deferment