Rilek1Corner

Tag: NSmen

  • Restriction On Use Of Fitness And Recreation Facilities On Weekends For Security Purposes

    Restriction On Use Of Fitness And Recreation Facilities On Weekends For Security Purposes

    The use of fitness and recreation facilities in camps – such as swimming pools and gyms – by National Servicemen (NSmen) should be restricted to allocated time slots on weekdays for security purposes, said Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen on Monday (Feb 23).

    “These camps should only be accessed by authorised personnel to minimise the risk of sabotage or loss of information and equipment which could compromise the safety and security of our soldiers and citizens,” said Dr Ng in a written response to a question from NCMP Lina Chiam.

    He added that SAFRA clubhouses were equipped with swimming pools and gyms to support the fitness training of NSmen preparing for their In-Camp Training (ICT). For example, SAFRA EnergyOne gyms offer preparatory training courses, designed by fitness experts, to help NSmen improve their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) performance.

    The IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT) – for NSmen who need additional help in their IPPT- will also be extended to other venues, such as public parks through the “IPT in the Park” initiative, to provide greater convenience for NSmen, said Dr Ng.

    Such initiatives would provide support for NSmen seeking fitness training while ensuring the safety of SAF camps, he added.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • NSmen Forced To Sign “Consent Form”

    NSmen Forced To Sign “Consent Form”

    i’m writing in to unfold an standard protocol required by SAF for our annual FFI clearance, which is mandatory for NSmen upon reaching the age of 35 years old. I’m like all 35 years old, was scheduled for this liability, days after turning 35. So here goes with the standard procedures: blood test, eye test, ECG test, weight and height measurement and not forgotting, a declaration form on your wellbeing and personal details. And the final stage of the test, seeing the in-camp Medical Officer (MO).

    I’m an avid runner and swimmer, who exercises regularly at least 5 to 6 days per week, but however I do have some bad habits in smoking and drinking (occasionally), therefore, as per the MO, standard protocol requires me to take the treadmill test, scheduled a few days later at the National Heart Centre.

    So well, IPPT and NS is a man’s responsibility, therefore I do not even have the slightest complaint, and not to mention, I do not have any problem in clearing my IPPT. I only have problem getting GOLD! Silver to me is like a piece of cake.

    A few days later and here I am, in the National Heart Centre, waiting for my turn to take the test. As the nurse was implanting all the “sockets” on my body, and explaining briefly to me about this test, a remark suddenly caught my full attention.

    “Sir I need you to know that there’s a possibility of 1 in 10,000 of heart attack for this test and we need you to sign a consent form.”

    Straight away, the answer in my mind was NO! For tons of reasons which I explained to the doctor when the nurse could not handle my queries.

    Why should we be liable for something we did not ask for? If SAF needs us to do such test, it proves there’re some health risks after the age of 35, and why are they still implementing this and most importantly, how can they wash their hands off matters which they are forcing the citizens to do? Least they can do is to be liable in case NSmen suffer heart attack during the test.

    I saw the MO again, he had no explanations for my concerns and quoted me an example:

    “There’s risk to everything you do, like you chose to park your car there, there is risk of break-in.”

    Any answer to him is simple, “I chose to park the car there and willing to take the risk. I did not choose to serve NS or IPPT, therefore I shouldn’t be liable for the risk.”

    MO’s reply: This is standard protocol and nothing he can do about it. If I do not comply, I will get charged.

    I ended the conversation immediately, and in any case, what can a Captain do to oppose such non-logical protocol?

    It might sound like a small issue and I know many of you will tell me I am over reacting but I feel insulted that we are forced to sign a “consent form” or be charged. Like that, it’s not really consent since I have no choice.

    The Truth

    * Submitted by TRE reader.

     

    Source: www.tremeritus.com

  • District Judge: National Servicemen Do Not Need To Follow Illegal Or Unlawful Orders

    District Judge: National Servicemen Do Not Need To Follow Illegal Or Unlawful Orders

    A former full-time national serviceman (NSF) who was driving a military jeep without a licence when it crashed and killed his close friend was sentenced to a 10-day short detention order (SDO) yesterday.

    Cavin Tan, 22, had no Class 3 driving licence when he caused the death of NSF Tan Mou Sheng and caused hurt to NSFs Ow Yong Wei Long and Dickson Hong, who were all 20 then, at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Marsiling training area in Mandai 21/2 years ago. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

    It also emerged that he had been ordered to drive the jeep.

    District Judge Low Wee Ping said: “Perhaps one positive outcome of this case is that national servicemen now know that they do not need to obey a manifestly illegal or unlawful order.”

    He asked Tan’s lawyer Laurence Goh, a senior officer in the SAF, to get the message out that national servicemen need not obey any such order.

    Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun said the four men – all instructors – were involved in a training exercise led by Master Sergeant Lee Kong Kean. The 33-year-old has been charged and his case is pending.

    The Defence Ministry said that it does “not condone our commanders giving unlawful orders, and those who do so will be seriously disciplined”.

    Tan was told by Lee to drive one of the jeeps in the exercise even though he had no Class 3 military licence and had not been trained to drive one.

    On the morning of the accident, Tan lost control of his jeep while negotiating a downward slope with a left bend.

    DPP Tang said Tan misjudged the bend and made a sudden, sharp turn. The jeep tilted, rotated around and overturned several times before landing on its side.

    NSF Hong and NSF Ow Yong, who had not been wearing seat belts or helmets, were thrown out and injured. Tan unbuckled himself and found NSF Tan Mou Sheng pinned under the jeep at his left hip. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth and soon lapsed into unconsciousness. The soldiers managed to lift the jeep and pull him out. He died later from severe pelvic crush injuries.

    Mr Goh said in mitigation that Tan, now an undergraduate, obeyed the order to drive even when Lee had been told that he did not have a Class 3 licence. Tan, he said, was truly sorry for having caused the death of his college mate.

    He urged the court to give his client a second chance by imposing the SDO, a community-based sentence which came into place in 2011. These can last up to 14 days and are less disruptive and stigmatising than a jail sentence.

    Said Mr Goh: “The accused’s decision to drive the jeep not only went against good sense, but also constituted serious breaches of SAF military training safety protocols.”

    Judge Low urged Tan to put this behind him and look forward.

    NSF Tan Mou Sheng’s father told Tan and his parents that Tan was not at fault because he was just obeying orders. Both fathers shook hands outside the court.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com