The museum, which is located right beside the Discovery Centre, has been established to preserve the Army’s heritage and to honour the contributions of Singapore soldiers.
That means all NSmen will enjoy lifetime free entry in recognition of their service to Singapore, while the public will get free admission until December 2007 to commemorate 40 years of National Service (NS).
The museum is packed with both actual and replica materials from the Army. Apart from allowing men to relive their NS memories, ARMS also aims to educate the public on how the Army has achieved its capability today.
According to Lieutenant—Colonel (LTC) Kenneth Liow, Head Project Secretariat for ARMS, the large turnout at every annual Army Open House shows that the public is interested in army showcases.
This time, daunting weather conditions and safety measures, especially during live displays, will not pose any problems, since the museum can bring highlights of the army to the public on a safe and daily basis.
Key among the museum’s attractions is Singapore’s only Object Theatre which parallels live demonstrations.
Visitors to the theatre, which integrates static displays of Army assets such as tanks, helicopters and guns, will not only see, but also hear, smell and sense the experience of a soldier.
During a five—minute clip depicting a battle, visitors to the theatre will find themselves in a battlefield environment, with actual sprays of water droplets falling on them when tanks move by, the smell of gunpowder in the air and strong gusts of wind as helicopters roar by.
Outside the theatre, marching tunes will set the mood for visitors as they journey through a series of six rooms, each chronicling the development of the Army from the 1960s to 2010 and beyond.
Showcases ’From the Past’ feature the early stages of NS, from original windows and doors from the old enlistment block in Tanglin camp, and the replica of an overturned bus — a reminder of the social chaos and instability that led up to NS.
Other highlights include a present—day NS room with signature narrow steel beds, uniforms, M16 cleaning equipments, and a mock cabin of SQ117 where commandos ended an attempted hijack in 1991.
The last gallery offers visitors a mini movie by local director Royston Tan on a father—and—son relationship that shows how NS binds Singaporeans and transcends all generations.
The 11—minute film, "After the Rain", is available only in the museum. LTC Liow said that the show anchors the visitors’ experience by ending the tour on an emotive high.
Those nostalgic from their visit can use the NS Connection Database, which allows visitors to retrieve unit or course photographs taken during their years in service.
Other than exhibits, the museum has also incorporates interactive activities such as LAN gaming, an Individual Marksmanship Trainer and a smaller version of the Standard Obstacle Course.
ARMS also hopes to cultivate family bonding through these interactive elements which are suitable for both adults and children.
Plans for the museum started all the way back in 1970, and donations in the form of photos and artefacts came from both former and current NS personnel.
"When I was in NS, I took a lot of photographs for memory’s sake. So instead of letting them go to waste, I decided to give them to ARMS," said Yong Shao Chong, 3 SIR, who had given artefacts and photographs of his days in NS to the museum.
"I’m really happy to see the photos because stepping into this museum really brings back lots of great memory," he added.
The gesture by the former NSman is also aimed at inspiring current NSmen and the public to continue to do their part and protect the country. CNA/yb
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/2007092...6-231650b.html
The Army Museum of Singapore (ARMS) will open its doors to the public on Sat 
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