Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Officer and Gentleman

Dear Yvonne Chia,

Think of this anal­ogy. I was given a recruit who was assessed to have the poten­tial to be a good sol­dier. The pla­toon had to cap­ture a hill. The recruit came under a hail of bul­lets. As pla­toon leader, I had to pro­tect him, even at the risk of my own life.

Am I being stub­born or deaf? Or did I not do the hon­ourable thing expected of a pla­toon leader?

That the recruit could have been bet­ter pre­pared for the mis­sion or be an older, more expe­ri­enced recruit is a sep­a­rate point. I am aware of the wide­spread unhap­pi­ness at send­ing this recruit to the pla­toon. But I would say, now that the recruit has sur­vived the ordeal of bat­tle, let him prove that he can be a good soldier…

Goh Chok­ Tong

No comments: