Memoirs of a Singaporean Commando
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i got a little bit of feeling u r like steven lim leh....haha
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LOFL! quite similar, you and i, though i'm fortunate to have NEVER EVER dug a fire trench for the past 2.5 years.Originally posted by moca:Maybe not memoirs but if I'd kept a diary of my days as a rifleman, it would be something like this:
Book in
March 10 Km
Dig Trench
Fill Sandbag
Sit in hole
Run around the forest making noise
Go back to hole
Fill in Trench
Empty sandbag
Excercise over
Wash equipment
Book out
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Thank you for visiting.Originally posted by NT2:ur websites not garang one....pink and lotsa cute cute pics..
They are not meant to be garang. -
ahhhhh! cannot access the site!
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Sorry. But thanks for trying. The bandwidth is limited.Originally posted by Rejected:ahhhhh! cannot access the site!
Hope you can try again. It is available most of the time. -
because u gay?Originally posted by rebelray:Thank you for visiting.
They are not meant to be garang. -
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not.Originally posted by NT2:because u gay? -
religious man arent you?Originally posted by rebelray:Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not.
Well guess it helps get through the training.
Heck it's getting me through my NS hah -
No, I am not at all religious. I am not in any religion but rather in a relationship with Someone. There's a big difference.Originally posted by |-|05|:religious man arent you?
Well guess it helps get through the training.
Heck it's getting me through my NS hah
Glad to know that it is helping you through the training. All the best to you. -
Hehe, I think you are being very diplomatic here.Originally posted by rebelray:I've always had the deepest respect for R.O.K. soldiers. They are one of the best soldiers in the world. For example, during the Vietnam War, they were very greatly feared by the enemy. The NVA and Vietcongs feared the R.O.K soldiers more than they feared the Americans.
Yes, there is not doubt that the ROK troops in Vietnam were good.
But so were the Aussies, for example. And not all US troops were lousy either.
But why was the ROK sector completely free of VC activity?
Simple. Those ROK guys were savage SOBs. They tortured and murdered everyone they thought was a VC or a VC sympathizer. They were 100 times more brutal than the VC themselves.
Not only was their sector quiet, it was also somewhat reduced in terms of population. It wasn't massacre exactly, but it was the brutality with which they ruled over their area.
Many attribute Korean brutality (which was also very prevalent during the Korean War) to the Japanese colonisation. Before that, the Koreans were apparently a relatively gentle race.
And in the same book I read that gave some details of their involvement, the author said that a lot of the ROK soldiers were Communist haters from their own inconclussive war with the North.
So many were in Vietnam to do what they couldn't do in their own country: exact vengeance on the Communists.
And this they did without mercy.
If the ROK involvement was larger in Vietnam, the communist may not have won that easily.
This is sheer proof that war is often also a battle of wills. The US conscripts understandably had no wil to fight and die for Vietnam. The ROK, on the other hand, matched the VC and NVA in determination. -
I think that clerks should indeed write their memoirs. Many people have mentioned that they appreciated more the hardships of the commandos since reading my memoirs. Likewise, I think that reading the memoirs of clerks will give us a greater appreciation of clerks and their great work.Originally posted by moca:Anyone want to read my "Memoirs of a SIngaporean PES 4 clerk Class 1"?
I don't know much about the life of an army clerk. But it may be much harder than I have imagined. For example, a clerk may be given an order to photocopy a huge amount of material in one hour. That's great stress. If you ask a commando and a clerk to do this task, I am sure that the clerk can photocopy much faster and do a better job. Commandos can do parachute jumps and march 35 km or whatever, but give us a huge stack to photocopy in a short time and it may be very difficult for us.
During my NS, many of my commando friends envy the clerks. But as they say, "the pasture is greener on the other side". Who knows if my commando friends were to be suddenly converted to being a clerk, they may wish that they were back in the commandos? Who knows if some of them may not be able to handle the pressures of being a clerk?
I have respect for army clerks, but if I read their memoirs, I think I'll have an even greater respect for their works and sacrifice.
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Well, the reputation of the RoKAF Marines "Tiger Brigade" is unmatched.Originally posted by moca:Hehe, I think you are being very diplomatic here.
Yes, there is not doubt that the ROK troops in Vietnam were good.
But so were the Aussies, for example. And not all US troops were lousy either.
But why was the ROK sector completely free of VC activity?
Simple. Those ROK guys were savage SOBs. They tortured and murdered everyone they thought was a VC or a VC sympathizer. They were 100 times more brutal than the VC themselves.
Not only was their sector quiet, it was also somewhat reduced in terms of population. It wasn't massacre exactly, but it was the brutality with which they ruled over their area.
Many attribute Korean brutality (which was also very prevalent during the Korean War) to the Japanese colonisation. Before that, the Koreans were apparently a relatively gentle race.
And in the same book I read that gave some details of their involvement, the author said that a lot of the ROK soldiers were Communist haters from their own inconclussive war with the North.
So many were in Vietnam to do what they couldn't do in their own country: exact vengeance on the Communists.
And this they did without mercy.
If the ROK involvement was larger in Vietnam, the communist may not have won that easily.
This is sheer proof that war is often also a battle of wills. The US conscripts understandably had no wil to fight and die for Vietnam. The ROK, on the other hand, matched the VC and NVA in determination.
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I read an account (from one of the two books I mentioned I think) in which R.O.K troops were attacking a village in Vietnam. According to the Americans, the R.O.K troops were too aggressive, causing many civilian causualties (or collateral damage as they like to say). The attack stopped only after the US soldiers managed to plead and persuade the R.O.K attack to stop. So I am not surprised to hear what you wrote.Originally posted by moca:Simple. Those ROK guys were savage SOBs. They tortured and murdered everyone they thought was a VC or a VC sympathizer. They were 100 times more brutal than the VC themselves.
Not only was their sector quiet, it was also somewhat reduced in terms of population. It wasn't massacre exactly, but it was the brutality with which they ruled over their area.
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So many were in Vietnam to do what they couldn't do in their own country: exact vengeance on the Communists.
And this they did without mercy.
Still I have great respect for all R.O.K troops because they are fierce excellent fighters. I wish that some of the fierceness can be rubbed unto we Singaporean soldiers, including myself. -
I've always admired the Aussies for the great fighting men that they are. I read a book about Operation Rimau (Tiger) in which Australian commandos blew up Japanese shipping in and around harbours in Singapore during WW2.Originally posted by moca:But so were the Aussies, for example.
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They were very brave. Unfortunately, they were discovered. A few were killed in the fighting; those captureed were eventually beheaded.
I visited some of their graves at Kranji in Singapore to pay them my respect. -
Yes, all those difficult nights being Duty Clerk sleeping in the aircon room and watching videos.Originally posted by rebelray:I think that clerks should indeed write their memoirs.
Dealing with all the politik and bi.tchiness especially among the gay clerks. Currying favour with the S1. The Bde Comd clerk being almost as powerful as the commander himself.
Being able to drive out for lunch in the car daddy bought for you.
Yes, I do believe it would make very good reading... -
U r from NC?Originally posted by rebelray:No, I am not at all religious. I am not in any religion but rather in a relationship with Someone. There's a big difference.
Glad to know that it is helping you through the training. All the best to you. -
What is NC?Originally posted by siaokao:U r from NC? -
Yes, the aggressiveness of ROK troops has been well documented. Generally speaking, where it comes to finesse and tactics, the ROK military is somewhat lacking - this was true in the old days, and still somewhat true today.Originally posted by rebelray:I read an account (from one of the two books I mentioned I think) in which R.O.K troops were attacking a village in Vietnam. According to the Americans, the R.O.K troops were too aggressive, causing many civilian causualties (or collateral damage as they like to say). The attack stopped only after the US soldiers managed to plead and persuade the R.O.K attack to stop. So I am not surprised to hear what you wrote.
Still I have great respect for all R.O.K troops because they are fierce excellent fighters. I wish that some of the fierceness can be rubbed unto we Singaporean soldiers, including myself.
Nevertheless, I believe we more than make up for it through sheer endurance and aggressiveness. Trust me, I know (all too well, alas)!!!
Although the ROK military derived its tactics, strategy, and doctrine from U.S. forces, the "spirit" and "culture" of the ROK military is largely taken from the Imperial Japanese Army of WWII. Both the positive aspects - harsh discipline, aggressiveness, "never surrender" mentality - as well as the negative ones - hazing, bullying, and corporal punishment – have become part of the ROK military.
One person commented that if you gave the Imperial Japanese Army modern weapons and tactics, you’d have the ROK Army. That’s quite true – to a certain extent. -
Unfortunately, your Northern brethrens are equally aggressive and tough fighters. If not more so!!Originally posted by comberbache:Although the ROK military derived its tactics, strategy, and doctrine from U.S. forces, the "spirit" and "culture" of the ROK military is largely taken from the Imperial Japanese Army of WWII. Both the positive aspects - harsh discipline, aggressiveness, "never surrender" mentality - as well as the negative ones - hazing, bullying, and corporal punishment – have become part of the ROK military.
True ro not? -
Thanks! Actually, I'm not sure where I'd begin. The Korean military is really big (650,000 active soldiers, not including reserves) so it's hard to genrealize.Originally posted by tankee1981:Welcome! We hope that you have a good time here in sgforums. It will be best if you could share with us some stories from your South Korean military service as well. I am sure many of us will be curious about what foreign NS system differs from ours.
Living conditions are pretty spartan, and pay is very poor. If you are lucky, a squad of men may share a room. If you are unlucky, as much as 20+ people may have to share. Each soldier has a small cupboard, in which he puts his equipment and belongings. To sleep, you unroll a mat in front of your cupboard, and lie down. Everybody lies down like this - shoulder to shoulder - in two long rows.
As for pay, itÂ’s pretty non-existent. I donÂ’t know how much they give now, but it was like around $20 ~ $60 for private/private 1st class/corporal/sergeant per month (in Singapore dollars). I heard itÂ’s gone up though. (That must be where all my taxes are going.....)
Recently, I saw in the news some units are getting BUNK BEDS instead of the old musty mats on the floor.... How dare they break from the "Tradition"! (hehe, actually IÂ’m glad that things are getting better.)
Maybe I'll start another thread and write more. -
I heard from someone who has lived through World War Two in Singapore that the Korean guards of POW prisoners were often even more brutal than the Japanese guards.Originally posted by comberbache:Although the ROK military derived its tactics, strategy, and doctrine from U.S. forces, the "spirit" and "culture" of the ROK military is largely taken from the Imperial Japanese Army of WWII. Both the positive aspects - harsh discipline, aggressiveness, "never surrender" mentality - as well as the negative ones - hazing, bullying, and corporal punishment – have become part of the ROK military.
One person commented that if you gave the Imperial Japanese Army modern weapons and tactics, you’d have the ROK Army. That’s quite true – to a certain extent.
I am not saying that this is true. But just recounting what I heard from this person. Any thoughts about this? -
Ray...why dont you show us your current picture..tell us a bi about your situation now..
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Please look at my web page at www.geocities.com/raymondrjs for my current pictures. There are many current pictures of me there.Originally posted by LRRP:Ray...why dont you show us your current picture..tell us a bi about your situation now.. -
I've tried several times to access your website but no luck. That's why I crack all these jokes about clerk's memoirs etc... I think most people cannot access your site.Originally posted by rebelray:Please look at my web page at www.geocities.com/raymondrjs for my current pictures. There are many current pictures of me there.
So why don't you just post the stuff here. -
i can leh