The New Army Daze

The New Army Daze is a comic misadventures of a National Serviceman during Basic Military Training, detailing his journey into manhood. It is a must-read for old soldiers, new soldiers, and anyone who has ever watched an army commercial.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd

The story of one terrified National Serviceman's comic misadventures during Basic Military Training. From the traumas of enlistment to the joys of field training, The New Army Daze details every faltering step in an 18-year-old's journey into manhood. Essential reading for old soldiers, new soldiers, and anyone who has ever watched an army commercial.

"One of those uniquely Singaporean books which will make us laugh at ourselves and our lot." (Sunday Times)

This title is being reissued under the new Marshall Cavendish Classics: Literary Fiction series, which seeks to introduce some of the best works of Singapore literature to a new generation of readers. Some have been evergreen titles over the years, others have been unjustly neglected.

The protagonist of the novel is a young man named Ah Beng, who is conscripted into the Singaporean National Service (NS) at the age of 18. He is a shy and introverted person, who has never been particularly good at physical activities or military training.

As he begins his NS training, Ah Beng is subjected to a range of physical and mental challenges. He is forced to wake up early in the morning, run long distances, and perform strenuous exercises. He is also subjected to the strict discipline and hierarchy of the military, which he finds difficult to cope with.

One of the key themes of the novel is the clash between the traditional values of the military and the modern, liberal society of Singapore. Ah Beng is from a traditional Chinese family, and his parents and grandparents have high expectations for him to succeed in the military. However, Ah Beng is more interested in studying literature and art, and he finds the military life to be dull and repetitive.

As he progresses through his NS training, Ah Beng encounters a range of comic misadventures and mishaps. He accidentally sets off a fire in the barracks, gets lost in the jungle during field training, and accidentally punches a senior officer.

Despite his misadventures, Ah Beng gradually grows into a more confident and capable person. He learns to appreciate the value of discipline and teamwork, and he develops a sense of pride in his country and his military service.

The New Army Daze is a hilarious and heartwarming novel that provides a unique insight into the lives of young Singaporeans during their National Service. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever served in the military, or for anyone who has ever been curious about what it is like to live and work in a military environment.

Weight: 88g
Dimension: 115 x 179 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789814974523
Edition number: 3 ed