“A GOOD son should not join the army,” is a typical Chinese saying in a culture that highly values perpetuating the family lineage. To parents, sons leaving home to join the army is as good as not returning. When I left home to join the army in 1975, my mother cried.     

This article lends a voice to the joint effort of the Defence Ministry (Mindef) and the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) to woo Chinese youths to enlist in the armed forces. 

Let us be honest about how we veterans feel about our military career. We can assume as gospel that if given the chance to relive our lives, we would unhesitatingly choose to join the military as we once did.

Despite the many frustrations endured due to our nation’s affirmative action policy, including being passed over for promotion, we appreciate the military, as it had moulded us into our proud and confident selves we are today. 

Currently the ethnic composition of the armed forces is predominantly of one race, an undesired result of the policy Mindef wants changed – but is unsuccessful so far.

What used to be around 30% non-Malays composition in the 1970s is now less than 2%. Ethnic Chinese currently make up less than 0.5%.

First, let’s bury the notion of certain death in a war into the abyss of the warring dynasties. Contemporary warfare is fought through the realm of trade, cyber terrorism, disinformation, sabotage, etc. Prior to that the army of diplomats would have fought the diplomatic war first.

Hence, the probability of dying in a war is now close to zero for a soldier, while a civilian dying in a mishap is 0.5 or 50-50 chances, and statistics would agree. 

For parents who have given up trying to get their sons to quit playing computer games or any of their time-wasting pursuit, and eager to see them grow up, the military has the perfect answer.

The military takes over where parents fail – instilling discipline, punishing wrongs, strengthening muscles (with push ups) and correcting misbehaviour. One has to learn to be tidy, well-groomed, irons own clothes, prepare one’s own meal, and respectful of seniors. In many ways, the military has superior parenting skills.

A very important attribute one acquires in the military is to take responsibility for one’s self and others in the team. The tough training one goes through helps build character.

Where the home or schools fail to complete building character, the military steps in as the perfect finishing school.

For officers’ training, integrity is an attribute that is instilled at the very beginning as it builds trust and confidence in the team.

The military has the most effective team-building training regimen no civilian or corporate programme can compare.

After integrity, the next most important value instilled is honour. Action and conduct of military personnel and an officer encompass the values of respect, a sense of duty, courage to be righteous and speak the truth, loyalty to king and country, and the pride of selfless service.

The military with its tri-services is a very huge institution, like a mini-nation. There are numerous opportunities for one to learn a trade or a skill and get paid for it.

Also, a tertiary education with a degree qualification awaits one who qualifies, along with secured employment. The payscale is as good as the civilian’s, or even better when added the little perks like housing, food, travelling expenses and medical coverage.    

Those are the plus points a person may benefit from enlisting. My own experience was quite an emotional one when I returned home after being commissioned as a second lieutenant.

I hugged both my parents, the first time after my childhood. My mother and I shed tears. Hers was because of seeing me alive, while mine was because I had endured so much “suffering” through training and I had never felt so responsible before.

I felt a profound sense of giving, an inner urge to toil and work hard. This, together with the years as an officer given a command, made me realise that the army had changed me for the better, being a class so different from those of my classmates in school.  

There is no need to sulk over disparity in opportunities. Until the day we find an equation for equal discrimination, which is not in the vocabulary, our focus should be to help build a nation of united and mutually respecting people.

MACVA’s current charitable programme of providing for all races is second to none. It is where deeds speak loudest.

We shall encourage more of our youths to be enlisted. We have integrity and honour, and we pity those self-serving politicians who do not. – September 24, 2020.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.