RESERVISTS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS RESERVE TRAINING

Abstract

This is an exploratory study on reservists’ attitude towards reserve training (i.e. in-camp training or ICT). While the issue of reserve training is often conceived as a political issue, there is a lack of focus on it 1s a social or sociological problem. Singapore is a very small country that is vulnerable to foreign aggression. Our formula for national defence is to develop a credible defence force in the form of a citizen army. Every able-bodied male citizen has to undergo two or two and a half years of national duty. Upon his run-out-date (i.e. ROD), he has to perform his reserve service which is a continuation of his national service. He has to attend regular in-camp training up to the age of fifty years if he is an officer and forty years if he is not an officer. The reservist has to play the role of a full-time civilian with family and work commitments and the role of a pm-time soldier who is required to undergo reserve training up to a maximum age limit. Given these two demanding roles, the reservist has to grapple with the competing demands of his family, work reserve training commitments. The factors that influence his attitude towards reserve training will be the focus of this study. By studying the expressed attitude of the reservists from a small sample, I hope to gain an insight into this area. By understanding the factors that influence the reservists’ attitude towards reserve training, we can gain an insight into the problems faced by the reservists and hence, attempt to alleviate the role conflict and role strain experienced by the reservists that are caused by reserve training. As this area of sociological interest is explored, I hope this study will kindle further research interests and studies. Reserve training is a major sociological problem in Singapore with political, social, economic and security implications. Given its importance, it deserves more thorough studies and research.