SINGAPORE — National Service (NS) will always be the cornerstone of Singapore’s defence, and each new generation must understand why conscription is critical for a small country like Singapore, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Oct 30).

Speaking at a dinner commemorating 50 years’ of NS held at the Float @ MarinaBay, Mr Lee said it was not down to good luck that the Republic has not had to go to war. Rather, it was the contributions and sacrifices of more than a million Singaporeans who have served NS since 1967 that have enabled the country to “enjoy decades of peace, and a safe and secure home”.

Addressing the more than 1,500 guests at the dinner reception, including past and present national servicemen and their families, Mr Lee noted: “But we will always be a small country, and National Service will always be the cornerstone of our defence. We must ensure that every generation understands why NS remains critical, particularly as the younger generations have only ever known stability and peace.”

Pointing to the backdrop of the Marina Bay skyline at the dinner venue, Mr Lee said it serves as a reminder of “all we have built together, and what we fight to protect”.

He added that society must rally behind national servicemen, support them and express appreciation for their service, as it continues to ask this commitment of young Singaporean men.

This was why various prominent measures have been rolled out this year in commemoration of 50 years of NS, said Mr Lee, citing a salute for all NSmen at the National Day Parade, exhibitions in heartlands to give every Singaporean a chance to understand what NSmen go through, and a recognition package comprising vouchers, among other goodies, given to all NSmen.

In his speech, Mr Lee noted that when Singapore separated from Malaysia, it had to build up the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from scratch, and quickly. The Republic’s founding leaders had to work hard to explain and convince every able-bodied male citizen to serve in the country’s defence, and “fortunately, Singaporeans understood the urgency, and gave their support”.

“Over the years, Singaporeans have accepted National Service. It has become a national institution, and a rite of passage,” said Mr Lee, pointing to how the two years spent defending the country either in the SAF or the Home Team is when boys grow up to become men, and bonds are forged that last for life.

That is why many NSmen still make time to meet up even years after completing NS, and the joyful feeling of bumping into old comrades is a familiar experience for many, he added.

Today, weapons and equipment have been updated, and organisations and tactics have been brought up to date, ensuring that Singapore is much better defended, said Mr Lee.

What has not changed is that training remains as serious and tough as ever, and NS is still about “making the sacrifices needed to protect our country and our families”, he added.

“This is the common spirit of NS that endures throughout the generations,” said Mr Lee, as he referenced the theme of Monday’s dinner. “This is the legacy that we pass ‘from my generation to yours’.” 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story wrongly reported that sacrifices needed in NS to protect our country and our families were confined to those made by young Singaporean men. PM Lee had referred to NS collectively. We apologise for the error.