For me, I think I became the opposite...

Everything you do in NS is "follow the book"... That kills creativity and the ability to think and analyse... If you do something "creative", your superiors will say... " DOnt gey kiang... follow what the book say will never go wrong..."
So for that particular period of your life... you just "follow" the book...

When you ORD and go university, and you did badly for the exams... Professors told you "Think and analyse, understand the concepts... Dont follow the solutions in the book... Questions twist and turn and you dont know how to do it.."

It seems that a lot of people lost that "skill" during NS... and most of us go on without realising it...

"NS is killing (male) Singaporeans." - madmansg

Perhaps it would be more fair to assess what "smarter" really means in this context? If you mean the ability to apply a certain manner of thinking into producing the type of papers thats sought after once you enter your tertiary education, then perhaps. However it wouldn't be fair to judge it based on purely that criteria alone.

Anyone who's been through NS will tell you that while it is certainly restrictive, often that forces you to be even more creative/resourceful in order to get what you need/want while staying within the boundaries of the rules you encounter. Thinking out of the box, while being in one...so to speak. Thats as valuable a skill as any

haiz what to do?

I also had a hard time adjusting during the transition from a brainless NSF to an university undergrad.

If you let your mind rot, you have only yourself to blame.

Originally posted by kiddyduck:

For me, I think I became the opposite...

Everything you do in NS is "follow the book"... That kills creativity and the ability to think and analyse... If you do something "creative", your superiors will say... " DOnt gey kiang... follow what the book say will never go wrong..."
So for that particular period of your life... you just "follow" the book...

When you ORD and go university, and you did badly for the exams... Professors told you "Think and analyse, understand the concepts... Dont follow the solutions in the book... Questions twist and turn and you dont know how to do it.."

It seems that a lot of people lost that "skill" during NS... and most of us go on without realising it...

smarter analyse hw to do e mere min n reap e max rewards

after my NS, i had a hard time thinking how to spell simple english words.

take a look at most of the regulars, u think they are smart?

how come we don’t finish our degree then go NS?

Originally posted by yourfavouritefriend:

how come we don't finish our degree then go NS?

SAF don't need too many smart alecks on par with the senior commanders...

Originally posted by mhcampboy:

SAF don't need too many smart alecks on par with the senior commanders...

LOL!

the in thing now is thinking soldier isn't it?

Originally posted by kiddyduck:

For me, I think I became the opposite...

Everything you do in NS is "follow the book"... That kills creativity and the ability to think and analyse... If you do something "creative", your superiors will say... " DOnt gey kiang... follow what the book say will never go wrong..."
So for that particular period of your life... you just "follow" the book...

When you ORD and go university, and you did badly for the exams... Professors told you "Think and analyse, understand the concepts... Dont follow the solutions in the book... Questions twist and turn and you dont know how to do it.."

It seems that a lot of people lost that "skill" during NS... and most of us go on without realising it...

Originally posted by Spartans:

haiz what to do?

I also had a hard time adjusting during the transition from a brainless NSF to an university undergrad.

I taught tuition during NS, so I maintained myself

seriously, I think NS do lower or diminish your intellect.
Instead it is meant to create a common, national identity.

To me, the regulars in NS have taken a career-choice and dedicate their life to their country and let's not belittle that.

I know that some feels NS is a total waste of time, and if not for this 2 or 2.5 yrs, you would have earn or achieve more.

However, for me, I felt it was time well spent.
It has taught me discipline, respect, how to submit, and of course, how to "do it but don't get caught".

I feel that singaporean male after going thru NS, are more confident, mature.

No disrespect but I feel nowsadays, the kids, teenagers and in particular, gals really needs NS. They need to be "drill" how to respect superiors, and what is discipline.

Academic wise, I don't believe NS will hinder your growth and retard..

Think of it this way, at least for 2 yrs, you are out of the paper chase or rat race and have a breather.

Not just in ns. in the working world also the same. they ask u to follow the book

it can even make some really sick in the head like freedom fighter

NS does teach me something …...... you begin to do things that you thought could not be achieved.

lol i nv encounter this before.. everything i do.. according to book anot, i nv being said tat.. i tink is all down to person who tink they are great and never wrong.. haha What the officer may means is tat.. U good is enff dun over do it and become wrong… in other words is “kiang Jiu hoi mai Gei Kiang” which alot of those “CLEVER” person always want to do.. and in the end always wrong… especially those warren in army.. they rarely wrong.. haha

If you want to be kiang, do it in front of a very superior officer, and make sure nothing cocks up and happens sui sui. WITHOUT Risking damage to men and equipment that is.

I know of people who got their A-levels retaken while in NS, some people got their diplomas too.

What dumbing down?

Originally posted by LazerLordz:

If you let your mind rot, you have only yourself to blame.

x2 ...

Originally posted by iceFatboy:

seriously, I think NS do lower or diminish your intellect.
Instead it is meant to create a common, national identity.

To me, the regulars in NS have taken a career-choice and dedicate their life to their country and let's not belittle that.

I know that some feels NS is a total waste of time, and if not for this 2 or 2.5 yrs, you would have earn or achieve more.

However, for me, I felt it was time well spent.
It has taught me discipline, respect, how to submit, and of course, how to "do it but don't get caught".

I feel that singaporean male after going thru NS, are more confident, mature.

No disrespect but I feel nowsadays, the kids, teenagers and in particular, gals really needs NS. They need to be "drill" how to respect superiors, and what is discipline.

Academic wise, I don't believe NS will hinder your growth and retard..

Think of it this way, at least for 2 yrs, you are out of the paper chase or rat race and have a breather.

"To me, the regulars in NS have taken a career-choice and dedicate their life to their country and let's not belittle that."

Sadly not all regulars take pride and responsibility in their work, dedicate their life, i dont think so. I have yet to met regulars whom i can respect. Even NSF can work better than some of the regulars.

Respect is to be earned not to be expected

NS doesn't do much to intelligence, but rather does a pretty good job of emasculating and taming Singaporean males. Courage, initiative and ideals are replaced with a fear of authority and blind obsequiousness.

And the constant exhortations to 'suck thumb' and 'take it like a man' sure don't help.

Originally posted by rooki:

NS doesn't do much to intelligence, but rather does a pretty good job of emasculating and taming Singaporean males. Courage, initiative and ideals are replaced with a fear of authority and blind obsequiousness.

And the constant exhortations to 'suck thumb' and 'take it like a man' sure don't help.

there are several instances where i suggest ideas or methods to change how thing are done, wad i get in return? Regulars asking me to just do according to their way, and when it screw up, i would get the blame. And when i use my method to do n everything went smoothly i get no recognition

thats it man, i aint gona care about this organisation, just do to the minimum, keep my suggestions to myself, n most importantly cover my a s s for 4 more mths

aiyar. you come out stupid. i come out stupid. everyone comes out stupid.

then no one is stupid.