近日，一名母親因爲在兵營外等了兒子兩個小時，不耐之下在臉書發文抱怨，引起網友熱議。這名母親表示，這天是兒子服兵役的最後一天，她從晚上10點就在兵營外等待，到深夜11點38分，兒子都沒出來！過去兩年，一直在這種奇怪的時段給士兵訓練，看他們有沒有整理床鋪，有沒有掃地，實在太不合理了！
小科普：
國民服役賦予了服役者對于新加坡的認同感和責任感，這是新加坡兵役制度的政治和社會意義。軍人的服役期分爲兩種：1年10個月、2年。在新加坡的服役人員，在服役期間，每星期是可以回家的！享受正常的公共假期待遇！如果在作戰單位，一般是星期五傍晚或晚上回家，星期天夜裏得回營報到。但是，特殊情況比如部隊的訓練安排到了周六周日，部隊就會安排補休。 
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這篇貼文引起了網友的注意。
一個由退伍軍人運營的臉書頁面“ The Reservist”很快對這名母親進行了回複。他表示，孩子是在服兵役，不是在參加教育部的露營活動。
該用戶也表示，正是因爲這是服役的最後幾天，士兵們正在進行最後的告別練習，所以才會超過預定時間，並不是有意讓父母在外等待。原文如下：
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Just clarifying a point：
The issue here is NOT parents picking up their NSF boys. After all, you got car you are perfectly entitled to go fetch your loved one etc. NO issue there at all. Even in places like US it is very common for families to go wait and pick up their loved ones coming back from deployment etc.
What the REAL issue here is thst this complaint is really bo liao at best. This is the military, and unless it’s ops, cannot always expect clockwork timing. Especially when it is a joyous event like milestone parade when he is probably celebrating, saying goodbye, etc with his friends and commanders. Or even enjoying some food and drink.
Yes it is sian to wait for 1.5hours (although you won’t complain if it’s hai di lao). But this is the military leh. The SAF is not some CCA UNIFORM group where you are obliged to cater to the preferences of parents every time. Yes it is important to engage parents, but first and foremost this is a military. Don’t need to sound as though the SAF is really f up and that they owe you for your time waiting.
這個發帖獲得了許多網友的贊同。
（圖源：網絡）當天，也有另一名用戶發文爲母親辯護。他認爲，這名母親的抱怨是合理的。雖然他不清楚細節，但如果要等上兩個小時才能接到人，肯定是會生氣的。國民服務不僅僅關乎服役人員，也需要父母的支持。每個服役人員可能都有因一些愚蠢的原因而被留下，導致家中上了年紀的祖父母只能等著他們遲遲才能回家吃飯。國民服務的支持需要代代相傳，所以我們必須保持著開放的心態接受一切反饋，這樣才能讓我們變得更好。
（圖源：網絡）原文如下：
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Whilst I recognise this page aims to promote support for National Service, let’s not be too quick to judge this parent.
I personally feel his/her complaint is reasonable. Whilst I may not have been present or know the details behind the event, I think it’s fair to be annoyed when they have to wait till so late to receive their sons.
National Service isn’t just about the soldiers, the commanders, and anyone who wears green during those two years. If we want parents to be supportive, then we need to consider the repercussions of planning an event that potentially drags on till such a late time.
I’m certain we’ve all had unpleasant experiences of being held back for silly reasons before being allowed to book out. Imagine if there were elderly grandparents waiting to see their grandchildren to have a meal with them.
That being said, I’ve also had soldiers who had NO one to receive them. Soldiers who lived across the island from where their camps were situated, and had to journey home with all their gear by themselves. Instead of a pleasant conclusion to their final day in service, such an experience just reminds them once again why National Service is deemed inefficient and a “waste of time”.
Support for National Service stems from generation to generation. So please. Let’s receive this sort of feedback with open minds. We can do better. We SHOULD do better.