???? ?????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? – what lessons could we take to the workplace???

1| Military conscription is not new - and increasingly debated today
2| 49 countries practice conscription in varying modes
3| What takeaways could be taken from national security & defence?         

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Military conscription has been discussed in recent months across nations from the context of national security and defence.

• Denmark - there are plans to introduce compulsory military conscription for women (to support its requirements under NATO membership)
• Taiwan - the country will see its length of compulsory military service extended from 4 months to one year, from 2024

These shifts come on the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as it moves into Year 2 and geopolitical tensions.

What lessons can be taken from national security into the workplace?

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Active conscription is not a novel concept. In Singapore, #nationalservice (NS) was institutionalised in 1967 to grow Singapore's armed forces after gaining independence in 1965 (since expanded to the police and the civil defence force)

The Central Manpower Base (CMPB), the touchpoint to military service in Singapore, describes National Service (NS) as a ‘mandatory conscription and duty that every male citizen and Permanent Resident (PR) must undertake upon attaining the age of 18'.

"NS has been the cornerstone of Singapore’s defence and security since independence and is seen as an essential part of Singapore’s nationhood and a rite of passage for every Singaporean and Permanent Resident (PR)" - CMPB

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49 countries today require military service at a specific age over a specific duration of time. Conditions around conscription do vary:

• ?????????????????? ?????????????????????— Citizens choose the military as their employer and serve their country as their job or career
• ?????????????????? ??????????????— All males (and sometimes females) of a certain age serve their country for a minimum amount of time (typically 12-24 months)
• ????????????????????????/???????????— A variation where a certain demographic group (e.g. males aged 18-35) register as eligible for military service, with the possibility that not all enlistees are called to active duty (particularly in times of peace)
• ?????????????????? ???????????????— Candidates are selected and called into service to meet a particular area of need (e.g. engineers, mechanics or pilots).

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For ?:Beyond nationhood and national defence (two distinct concepts), the case has also been made today for the role of national defence towards countering terrorism and strengthening the societal fabric

Against??:There too have been studies made on the opportunity cost of military service - Earnings potential, further educational attainment, career advancement.

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(True story.)

As a Singaporean, I served 24+ months of National Service.?As an enlistee, active serviceman and now a ‘reservist’, here are 3 takeaways how participation has applied into #work and #life

1. ?????????? ?????? ??: It takes decades to safeguard & build a credible and high performance defence force - think long-term, big-picture when you're planning for your next project or career decision.
2. ?????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????: Ask a national serviceman, and you can be expected to be regaled with stories of bonding, camaraderie, friendship - think social capital, solidarity, connections when investing in networks.
3. ?????????? ???????????? ???? ??: Being a little Red Dot, national defence is critical for Singapore’s continued survival. One acquires a heightened sense of what secures sovereignty and what can derail it. - think resilience, fortitude in times of light and dark.

In Singapore’s context, #nationalsecurity remains as critical today - as was the case for its introduction almost 56 years ago.

One would argue the opposite of opportunity cost of national defence, lies in the positive opportunity benefit.

In crisis & emergency, what would be the opportunity cost of being unprepared?

???????????? ?????? ??????????????. I would love to hear your thoughts on #nationalsecurity

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