Doing National service was a bane in many a young South African man's life, not only was there a chance of getting killed, but you lost years of your life being bored while in your prime. We all vied to get into the Navy, for then there was a chance of travel, and experiencing life outside of standing guard. The South African Navy did some good work when within its own comfort zone. On the other hand the Navy also came across as a clownish service, when asked to do things outside the knowledge and experience of its members, putting South African's in fields of deep snow is such an occasion. But National Service was at times also overdone, wasting young productive men's time doing nothing. I objected to having my time wasted, and having to listen to lectures I, and everybody else, knew was nothing but propaganda. I was lucky, I got kicked out and my National Service was done!