Not born in Singapore, but they've served full-time NS

8,800 PRs did national service in five-year period up to November 2011: Mindef data

Software developer Phyo Myat Thu (far left), from Myanmar, served national service from June 2009 to June 2011 as a Guardsman, while financial consultant Yan Jianfeng (left), from China, was an Infantry specialist during NS from 2012 to 2013. Both ar
Software developer Phyo Myat Thu (left), from Myanmar, served national service from June 2009 to June 2011 as a Guardsman, while financial consultant Yan Jianfeng (right), from China, was an Infantry specialist during NS from 2012 to 2013. Both are now Singapore citizens. ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR, KHALID BABA
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National service (NS) is often viewed as a rite of passage for all males born here, but full-time enlistment in Singapore also comprises thousands of foreign-born men.

The recent deaths of two 22-year-old permanent residents (PRs) in the midst of their NS has raised attention on this group.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 15, 2018, with the headline Not born in Singapore, but they've served full-time NS. Subscribe