Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 11:19:30 +0800
From: Joel Ng <jngkj-AT-mbox2.singnet.com.sg>
Subject: Re: Chambers" Law...




danceswithcarp wrote:

> Also a fair draft would not only put the "obligation" for national service
> on the entire body of youth, but this would be a great equalizing
> experience that everyone would participate in.  There is nothing more
> equalizing than an unabashed fanatical drill sergeant with 150 boys and
> grrls to play with. My exoerience has been that class distinctions
> generally disappear fairly fast under such a regime.

In S'pore, we have this term called a "white horse".  I dunno whether it exists in
other militaries, but refers to sons of politicians, senior army officers and very
rich people.  Most of the said white horses are pretty useless (one of my basic
training mates - a white horse - managed to get 0/24 on his first day at range and
subsequently took medical leave for the rest of basic), but some are pretty good,
and some are outrightly gung-ho.  But the whole platoon benefits when there are
even one or two in the platoon.  We happened to have 3 such white horses, so basic
was really a breeze.  Of course, the other platoons were pretty much treated like
dirt.