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So people around me, classmates and such, have begun to receive their enlistment letters already, and it's pretty likely that I'll be getting mine within the week.
I didn't pass my NAPFA test, so I'll be enlisting either this December or March next year. Thing is, at this point, I don't know if it's still worth a shot to try and pass NAPFA. I mean if I enlist in December then it's probably too late to start training already, and March enlistment doesn't sound so bad, at least I get a good 4 months off after A levels.
So what do you think, guys? Is shaving 2 months of PTP training off NS worth the effort? And is there anything in general that I should take note off during BMT?
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Pass NAPFA, it's not like it'll go away. Taking 2 months off of NS is priceless.
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Well, I managed to avoid PTP, but from the experiences of my peers, you might not think much of 2 additional months initially before you enlist, but once you go in, you'll realize how freaking awesome it would be to have that 2 months shaved off.
Go fucking pass NAPFA dood. Treat it like a form of self-improvement. Get buff.
There's so much u can do with 2 additional months lol.
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yes 2 months off NS is a HUGE difference.
did you get any interviews for mono-intake units? (ie. commandos/divers)
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On October 24 2012 22:06 Loire wrote:
yes 2 months off NS is a HUGE difference.
did you get any interviews for mono-intake units? (ie. commandos/divers)
Thank god, no.
I still don't know when I'll be enlisting though, there's been all sorts of rumours flying around that PTP enlistees go in either in December or March.
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Loved the extra 2 months, BMT was so much more relaxed cuz of it hahah
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On October 24 2012 22:24 DoX.) wrote:
Loved the extra 2 months, BMT was so much more relaxed cuz of it hahah
Do tell me more about BMT please, is it as bad as the legends and hearsay suggests?
And what about field camp? I've heard that you're either melting under the sun or sleeping in a puddle of mud.
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Well, go pass your NAPFA. You'll enter 1 month before your friends who passed it, which sucks. It sucks even more when they leave 1 month before you. What are you failing at? 2.4km? Pull ups? God forbid, sit-and-reach? Find somebody to train with and go pass it ASAP.
You won't get into the mono-intake commando/diver units because you failed NAPFA. You won't get sent to mono-intake infantry because you're taking A levels.
Your future after BMT is greatly determined by your physical fitness. Fail IPPT? You'll be stuck as private-corporal. Get gold? Significantly improved chances of getting into OCS.
BMT isn't so bad, you'll just fall sick during the first 2 weeks due to Tekong flu, then just some physical training/outfield. Field camps aren't bad until it rains. So pray it doesn't rain. Melting under the sun isn't that bad unless you.
ORD lo!
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+ Show Spoiler +On October 24 2012 23:06 Heh_ wrote:
Well, go pass your NAPFA. You'll enter 1 month before your friends who passed it, which sucks. It sucks even more when they leave 1 month before you. What are you failing at? 2.4km? Pull ups? God forbid, sit-and-reach? Find somebody to train with and go pass it ASAP.
You won't get into the mono-intake commando/diver units because you failed NAPFA. You won't get sent to mono-intake infantry because you're taking A levels.
Your future after BMT is greatly determined by your physical fitness. Fail IPPT? You'll be stuck as private-corporal. Get gold? Significantly improved chances of getting into OCS.
BMT isn't so bad, you'll just fall sick during the first 2 weeks due to Tekong flu, then just some physical training/outfield. Field camps aren't bad until it rains. So pray it doesn't rain. Melting under the sun isn't that bad unless you.
ORD lo!
Woah thanks, that was very informative. Now I'm really motivated to pass my NAPFA, gonna start training for my pull-ups and 2.4 once I finish my exams.
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Good luck. Fitness is vital to enjoyment.
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Lol why does Singapore have an army?
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On October 25 2012 00:15 Tommie wrote:
Lol why does Singapore have an army?
It ain't easy being a city state.
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On October 25 2012 00:15 Tommie wrote:
Lol why does Singapore have an army?
We're super vulnerable because we have no natural resources and everyone knows people invade countries that have no natural resources! And also the British got beat by the Japanese which means nobody can be trusted to defend us, not even the U.S. fleet that parks here!
Seriously though, general deterrent because we're immensely wealthy in a region of countries that aren't + have much larger populations. It also helps manage and organize the population.
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On October 24 2012 23:06 Heh_ wrote:
Well, go pass your NAPFA. You'll enter 1 month before your friends who passed it, which sucks. It sucks even more when they leave 1 month before you. What are you failing at? 2.4km? Pull ups? God forbid, sit-and-reach? Find somebody to train with and go pass it ASAP.
You won't get into the mono-intake commando/diver units because you failed NAPFA. You won't get sent to mono-intake infantry because you're taking A levels.
Your future after BMT is greatly determined by your physical fitness. Fail IPPT? You'll be stuck as private-corporal. Get gold? Significantly improved chances of getting into OCS.
BMT isn't so bad, you'll just fall sick during the first 2 weeks due to Tekong flu, then just some physical training/outfield. Field camps aren't bad until it rains. So pray it doesn't rain. Melting under the sun isn't that bad unless you.
ORD lo!
Haha actually there IS ptp for commandos (not sure about divers tho)
Also i believe ptp now is 2 months earlier enlistment as compared to 1 month earlier/later during my time.
To the OP, NS isnt as bad as most people make it out to be (at least for me). Outfields were fun and they leave you with good memories, as long as the people you do it with are fun :D
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NS is pretty fun. You really got to keep it in perspective and that the limited life and world you experience in there is not congruent with reality outside. BMT is a world of its own, I didn't mind my PTP because it gave my platoon time to bond. Shared hard experiences are amazing for making friends.
As for things to take note: depending on your rank and vocation NS is ironically when you have the most "free" time to pursue anything you like any time in the near future. Pick your poison wisely.
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FYI when I was at UChicago one of my closest upperclassmen friends was a complete baller
dude could've tested into this cush clerking position in the Singaporean army, but instead deliberately went for the officer school (OCS?) and then became a captain in a reconnaissance battalion or something
dude was a complete badass, taught me everything there was to know about leading people... led the uchicago finance club his 3rd year, went off to nyc for PE and now works for Temasek
much respect for everyone here
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Whoa cool stuff, Shady :O
I, too, hope to find a mentor figure willing to deal with the likes of me and show me the wonders of the world ^^
That guy sounds like quite the BAMF indeed.
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On October 25 2012 16:09 Aerisky wrote:
Whoa cool stuff, Shady :O
I, too, hope to find a mentor figure willing to deal with the likes of me and show me the wonders of the world ^^
That guy sounds like quite the BAMF indeed.
haha, he was the person who gave me the theory that, after 1949, hong kong was where all the richest chinese ended up, but singapore was where all the smartest ones went
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On October 25 2012 16:11 Shady Sands wrote:Show nested quote +On October 25 2012 16:09 Aerisky wrote:
Whoa cool stuff, Shady :O
I, too, hope to find a mentor figure willing to deal with the likes of me and show me the wonders of the world ^^
That guy sounds like quite the BAMF indeed. haha, he was the person who gave me the theory that, after 1949, hong kong was where all the richest chinese ended up, but singapore was where all the smartest ones went
LOL not bad, working in that national pride, heh.
I'm quite thankful I don't have to deal with mandatory military service, but it definitely has its positives with regard to people's growth as individuals, character-building, etc, I imagine 
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parents live singapore, loving visiting a lot
so glad im british and don't have to do NS though
Not that i hate physical activity, i love it
But having to spend years of your life with other people, working as a *team*? Dear god i'd commit suicide
edit:
BTW i always had some questions to ask about NS
What happens to the guys with a BMI 27 but are actually guys who are extremely fit (weightlifters in particular)?
Also how do they decide where you end up in NS? Is it based on a combination of physical fitness+academia? Like what happens to someone who is very physically fit and very academic? Do they get put into an easier NS or something?
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Update here, I'm enlisting on the 13th of December, so there's no way in hell I can get trained for NAPFA before enlistment now.
Anything in particular I should be painstakingly aware of before committing myself to PTP? Will really appreciate any tips that might help me have an easier time settling into the military.
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On October 25 2012 17:05 BrTarolg wrote:
Also how do they decide where you end up in NS? Is it based on a combination of physical fitness+academia? Like what happens to someone who is very physically fit and very academic? Do they get put into an easier NS or something?
I'm fairly sure the job assignment practice involves some combination of throwing darts and flipping coins.
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On October 25 2012 17:05 BrTarolg wrote:
parents live singapore, loving visiting a lot
so glad im british and don't have to do NS though
Not that i hate physical activity, i love it
But having to spend years of your life with other people, working as a *team*? Dear god i'd commit suicide
edit:
BTW i always had some questions to ask about NS
What happens to the guys with a BMI 27 but are actually guys who are extremely fit (weightlifters in particular)?
Also how do they decide where you end up in NS? Is it based on a combination of physical fitness+academia? Like what happens to someone who is very physically fit and very academic? Do they get put into an easier NS or something?
There's a "vocational test" during your first medical checkup, think it's supposed to test your mental aptitude. If they think you're good enough I think it makes you more eligible for OCS (officer cadet school). That's what I think. SOMEHOW I got into PES C, not intentional. Enlisting next year as well, sometime around May.
Guys with BMI 27 and are very fit are... shall we say... uncommon. I've never seen one personally. The ones who are muscular or very strong (canoers, shotput, javelin) usually can't run too far/fast.
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On October 25 2012 23:48 Xiahou wrote:
Update here, I'm enlisting on the 13th of December, so there's no way in hell I can get trained for NAPFA before enlistment now.
Anything in particular I should be painstakingly aware of before committing myself to PTP? Will really appreciate any tips that might help me have an easier time settling into the military.
Just keep a open mindset, do not talk back at the commanders, and do not treat them as your friend.(This does not apply in unit. In unit after vocational training, the hierarchy goes as per follow: specialist<man<officers). Also, do you want to be a man, a specialist or a officer in the 2 years? Each have their own good and bad points. Don't worry about your fitness level before you enlist. They will whip you into shape progressively. They won't expect you to be running 9:45 mins for your 2.4km right before you enlist.
On October 27 2012 01:06 leecx wrote:Show nested quote +On October 25 2012 17:05 BrTarolg wrote:
parents live singapore, loving visiting a lot
so glad im british and don't have to do NS though
Not that i hate physical activity, i love it
But having to spend years of your life with other people, working as a *team*? Dear god i'd commit suicide
edit:
BTW i always had some questions to ask about NS
What happens to the guys with a BMI 27 but are actually guys who are extremely fit (weightlifters in particular)?
Also how do they decide where you end up in NS? Is it based on a combination of physical fitness+academia? Like what happens to someone who is very physically fit and very academic? Do they get put into an easier NS or something? There's a "vocational test" during your first medical checkup, think it's supposed to test your mental aptitude. If they think you're good enough I think it makes you more eligible for OCS (officer cadet school). That's what I think. SOMEHOW I got into PES C, not intentional. Enlisting next year as well, sometime around May. Guys with BMI 27 and are very fit are... shall we say... uncommon. I've never seen one personally. The ones who are muscular or very strong (canoers, shotput, javelin) usually can't run too far/fast.
How to be eligible for command schools(OCS,SCS):
1) Enlist with either a diploma or a 'A' level cert and you will have a high chance to be a commander provided you pass your IPPT by the end of BMT. As long as you are thrown into Tekong for your BMT, and is at least PES 'B', you are more or less guaranteed to be commander unless you screw up massively or you expressed your opinion that you do not wish to be a commander. IIRC, top 10% of the cohort will be sent to OCS, while the the rest will be sent to either SCS(Specialist) or sent for vocational training(Man).
2) If you are not sent to Tekong, the only way for you to be a commander is through unit recommendation for PES 'C' personnels, or you are the top 1 ranking in your mono-intake BMT batch.
From what I know, the computer test during the medical checkup will determine your vocation after you complete your basic training, and does not affect the chance of you being a commander.
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@Loire: wait a sec.. PTP appear to enlist 1 month before, as Xiahou mentioned. So I think that it's unchanged. But I didn't know commandos had PTP intake.. sounds really weird.
If you have high BMI but are really fit, you go in with the regular intake. There's several of these overbuffed guys walking around, shouldn't be too difficult to spot.
The OP is a A-level holder (soon-to-be), so he's not going into mono intake infantry or whatnot. He's going Tekong for sure. But if you fail IPPT at the end of BMT, you'll be stuck as men, and won't get promoted to spec/officer. You also get paid a lot less if you're stuck as men. So just keep working on your fitness, it helps a ton to have a head start.
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EPT
