Our Boy Enlists For The Military.

It’s been a big week for me as our boy enlists for National Service, or to some, the military school.

National Service is compulsory for all males in Singapore and is approximately 2 years of training. When our boy was 16, we had started to worry about whether he would want to return to Singapore to serve NS. If he didn’t, he would have to give up his citizenship and we weren’t sure that was a great idea.

To our pleasant surprise, by the time our boy was 18, he was raring to serve his country. I remember a deep conversation with him at home one afternoon.. I had asked if he was worried about NS.. and he said no.. he wants to do it.. he said he would enjoy the physical training, learn about survival and make lots of friends. I was so proud of him then.. and I still am.

Although he’s always fooling around, and doesn’t seem to have a serious bone in him, our boy is actually a really mature and sensible kid. His positive attitude towards NS amazes me.

A bus ride and a boat ride later, we arrived on the island of Pulau Tekong, a training base for the Singapore Army.

Our boy’s journey starts right here.

Parents were brought on a tour around the training premises. We got to see where our sons would eat, sleep, clean, train and rest. It was truly an eye opener and a comforting experience.

Bunk beds. Each cadet gets a nice thick mattress with a pail to wash their laundry and run fire drills with. They also get a mosquito net.

Their cupboard.

We watched as the boys went through the oath ceremony and swore to protect our country. It was a moving moment.

And the army served us lunch, which we ate with our boy.. eating the real food that he’ll be eating every day in camp. It was pretty good! Our boy is obviously pleased. Haha..

The boys were called to assemble after lunch and it was time to say good bye.

I’m so incredibly proud of our son. Never have I seen a more positive attitude towards NS and I know his journey ahead will be tough but it will also be a very enriching experience for him.

We stood there for a long time. Just watching the boys walk away..

I miss our boy already.

May his journey be a safe and good one.