Pls help, advice needed !

Rollerboy SG

Thank you for replying my post, I really need advice from you guys be it regulars, NSFs, reservists, or any kind-hearted souls, regarding my enlistment and on other issues in the military.

I'm 19 this year and my birthday falls on January, I'm a poly-dropout due to unsatisfactory results for my cos and I wasted 2 years of my life, without getting any certs.
My highest qualification is "O" Levels and I've already notify CMPB that I'm available for my NS, thru the phone.
I still need the aid of glasses/lenses for my sight.
Crying or Very sad

Since my notification in July, I've yet receive any letters asking me for a Medical - Checkup from CMPB, and I'm still waiting.... .
Mad Mad Mad

The problem is, I donnoe where and when I'll be posted to.
Some of my frens said most likely I'll be under mono-intake, posted to a particular unit for my BMT.
While others said I might still be able to undergo my BMT in Tekong.
I prefer to be in the school BMTC, for my training, just a personal thought.
I really can't believe it if I'm posted over to the POLICE for my NS, I don't like that and I hope I won't. Heard the Police-Intake is around April, and it's already September now.
Rolling Eyes

Another thing is, I do have plans for a career in the military in future, as in like "Sign-On" lah, keke, because I dun really have much faith or confidence in the outside-world, the economy.
At least I can secure myself with a few "Ks" for survivor in an-ever-competitive-and-demanding-country, and my parents when they need my care in the near future.

I find myself having interest in the military becos whenever I get hold of a "PIONNER" magazine, I'll read thru it.
Movies like "Saving Pte Ryan", "Thin Red Line", "Black Hawk Down", I'm sure to catch them.
I'm also very curious about advance weapons, superior fighter jets, the artys, tanks and subs.

My ECA during my Sec. sch days is Scouts and I'm a Patrol Leader. I believe I have "some" leadership in me and adventurous activities never fails me, heehee, not to bullshit or anything.
Really felt happy to have been to the OBS, Outward Bound School.

Being an Officer has always been my ambition.
I understand I dun have a diploma but I'm sure to continue my studies after I ORD, complete my NS so as to say.
I'm really not satisfied with juz an "O" .
Very sorry, if you guys find me arrogant or always asking for more but that's life, it's about achieving ur goals and being successful, the way you want it.

I understand and am aware of the difference between a Specialists and an Officer.

My plan now is to do well for my BMT, I mean really do well, "GaRang" as wat they always said, or "Siao-On" so as to show good results, and to be posted over to OCS, I really hope.
Wink Wink Wink

When and where would I most likely be posted to?
Is it really not advisable to be a regular, as a Spec?

Really thanks for yr time in reading my post, your advise and guidance is very much appreciated.
Thank you once again.

GoodLuck!

Silenthunter SG

First of all, I'm not a regular. I'm only a reservist but I believe I can advise you on certain stuff. Please note that I'm might not be 100% correct, guys, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Although You dropout from poly, I believe you'll still receive your NS med checkup same as your poly friends. Meaning You will still serve NS at the same timeframe as your poly friends. I think it's the way they group us. It seems that if we made it to poly we'll be deferred for 3 years, even if we dropout from poly.

Secondly, Your chances of going to BMTC is much higher than going mono-intake cos your's is a special case. It is a usual thing that O' levels holder are mono-intaked to be troopers while Poly and above are going to BMTC to be leader of some sort (unless your performance fail you to be a leader). Although you dropout from poly, the military still consider you as a "poly student" and post you to BMTC. I think it's due to the timeframe thingy again.

The main problem is, even you try very hard and be as "siao on" as even or as "ar ga liao" as much wif your buddies and instructors, you'll still find you path in SISPEC. OCS is almost beyond reach. (That's the trend I see during my NS, I've got quite a few NS buddies like your case)

Your ECA will help you in your posting, but in BMT the most important thing is you peer appraisal, you dicipline and your fitness. Your must get at least a silver in IPPT to qualify OCS or SISPEC.....work hard. You must be capable of getting along well with friends and fellow buddies so you can get a good peer appraisal by your buddies. (I think that common sense :p)

But SAF is like any organization in Singapore......If you got the Cert, you can climb up high. Degree holders are almost guaranteed a place in OCS, if not SISPEC. Most Poly and A' Levels are "condemn" to SISPEC while the best are choosen to OCS. O levels are unless troopers while the best are choosen to go SISPEC. Your case is somewhat between Poly/A'level and O'level.

Going to police depends alot on your background. I dunno how Mindef checks but if you come in contact wif many ppl that might jeopadize national security, you might not be posted to the army.

During to old times, guys if "specs" are called "Specky". Now 7 out of 10 soldiers are "speckies!" .....So whether you are speced or not doesn't matter liao.

As regards to Signing On. My advise is....if you're in for the money DON'T SIGN ON!!! I'm sure you heard stories about it right? So don't waste your life to do something you might not like. You feel miserable, especially in your 6 years bond for stuff you hate.

If you are interested in the military, I suggest you can decide to sign on after you actually been through it. I heard now they got some "post-BMT recuitment" thingy so You can always decided after you go through BMT and see if you like it. Just are reminder, you are joining SAF, not the US army.

SAF is a civilian army were most ppl are obliged to join for 2.5 years, so you're bound to see and "experience" ppl to will do anything to make their OWN LIFE EASIER, even if it means "saboing" other. So you can imagine the morale of SAF, it's high no doubt, but definately not as high as those US troops you saw in Black Hawk Down, the others.

As on where you'll be posted to after BMT...I think it too early to tell.

As on whether a regular spec is good? I would say a spec is like a supervisor as an officer is like a Manager...........i believe you can figure it adv and disadv.

I always think being a officer is tough, you have to be analyactical, have a good foresight and able to make decision under the toughest conditions. Becos many lack these, I've seen many Officers/Specs who are incompetent in intense pressure conditions.......sigh...!!

Anyway..good luck

wombat SG

Same here, just another reservist...but I do know someone close who is a poly dropout. Basically, I advice you to drop down to CMPB in person, and find out more. You can ask for early enlistment.

Officer...I am sorry to say this, but you can forget it. Cause the requirements is that you need poly or A level cert. Without it, you can't even go for the "Sit Test"...which is a critical requirement too.

There is another path, that is from sispec go to OCS....but the percentage is very small, and you need to be the cream of the crop.

As to the posting....no point worrying so much about it. Cause it's a big big mystery that blaffed tons of NSF/NSMan until now... Confused
Also, you have no choice or say in the matter...so why kill brain cells?

As Silenthunter had said....a full time career in SAF is not for everyone. Go through you BMT, and then decide...it's not too late then.

Wearing specs...very common in SAF nowdays...but unless you are the type where you take down specs, blind as a bat...over 1000+ degrees....it's not a factor.

Being in scouts may help you a bit in learning the footdrill easier..and such...but trust me...SAF operates way much different from those ECA.... Rolling Eyes

Do start planning for your future after SAF....even if you plan to sign on....the contract will run out...or you need to retire someday. I strongly advice you to pursue your education again....in Singapore, without certification...is hard to survive. Unless you got a super rich daddy. Mr. Green

I know it's hard....but keep your hopes alive. Failing to obtain a poly certification does not mean you are a failure in life. Far from it. My close friend (poly dropout)....after his SAF, went back to poly again, study 3 yrs...go work few yrs..save up...go overseas study...and now is a degree holder. Very Happy

So start planning further down the road....5 years...10 years...what do you want to do? Do you want to forever remain an O level? And you can ask those who gone through SAF....Mindef do look at your paper qualification when deciding to promote you or not...else you can only raise to a certain point... it sucks...but that's life.

Drop by CMPB in person soon to clarify your doubts. And if given information, do take note the name and rank of the person. Cause some NSF simply anyhow "bomb".

Do train up a bit...and best of luck in your future. Don't give up! You got a long life ahead !!
Very Happy

Rollerboy SG

Hey wombat and Silenthunter, thanks for replying and your advice had greatly relieve me in some ways.......

At least I dont have to worry bout when I'm enlisting and can concentrate on other things first.

It's really bad and sad to have wasted two years in poly without gettin any cert, I'm sure I've learnt my lesson and so let's just hope things gonNa turn out all right in my NS days and when I continue my studies again... .

Tekong, here I come!
Mr. Green

Shotgun SG

Hey Rollerboy, same case as me. Mindef keep telling me my enlistment between July n September, until now still haven't send letter. Getting damm restless liao, cos I really wanna go in early. In anycase, dun sweat it, give them a call and bugger them if you have to.

I personally agree with wombat and silenthunter that OCS is really meant for degree holders and at least JC peepz. Though, I do know of an Officer who only had O's cert when he was in the Army. So i think you still got chance. For me, I just want to do what I'm told and stay out of trouble (injuries). Who knows, you might end up in Hotel BMTC together with me. =)

Rollerboy SG

You also dropout from poly ar?
Sad hor.....

Ya, I ever heard and know of some Super Garang recruits who made it to the OCS, with O Levels....
They must be very fit, show leadership and plain lucky.....
Anyway, really hope we'll be in Tekong doing push-ups together, lolx....
Remember me, I'm RollerBoy!
Hahaha, take care for now....

want to know SG

Sure or not. Shocked Shocked

Shotgun SG

Ya. Army still values leadership qualities… as any self-respecting army would.

nick34 SG

there are two kinds of peoples that will get into OCS is ... They are super garang in their SISPEC training ... and those with degree ... those whom got a O cert and get into OCS will have to go thru SISPEC training ...

why i know ... cos i am from OCS last time ... pls dun misunderstand that i those kind of super garang type ... i just a office in charge there ... Laughing

xiaojune SG

Not to scare you la, but my fren in the same situation waited for a year before finally being enlisted. Because when u quit school, you sort of get lost in their system and CMPB doesn't remember you exist. He called them like every month to ask for enlistment, yet still haf to wait so long! His fren even worst, waited 4 yrs haha

Anyway, regarding yr first question. Although 80% u'll be posted to police or CD, there's still a chance of going tekong (like the guy who waited 4 years). Depends on luck really... Even if u suay suay go police, still can appeal la.

As for the 2nd question, think they answered it liao. Since u oni haf O levels, then u juz haf to work very very very very very hard to get into OCS. Maybe like 1% chance??

Dun set yr hopes too high, give yrself other options.

Rollerboy SG

Laughing
Dun make me luff le, keke....
I kena CD, haha....
First tme I hear, I'll go CD, haha....

I doubt so lah....
If kena POLICE can appeal meh....
Got such thing ar?
Shocked

Anyway, I got my medical check-up letter liao...
Going to CMPB soon....
Wad is the IQ test har?
Wat's that ?

nick34 SG

IQ test is a test with lot of mutiple choice question and some mental sums ... Computer gaming lol

want to know SG

What is CD. Please explain. Why is going to the police very suay? My uncle is with the police during his NS. Question

Clu SG

CD = Civil Defence! Laughing

xiaojune SG

erm... to some ppl is heng, to some is suay lor... I say suay cos answering Rollerboy mah, then he dun wan to go police Surprised

Rolleyboy, think u better dun anyhow do the IQ test, wait they throw you into the moronic bunch then very 'cham' i think...

CX SG

aiya... no diff one lah... they probably do postings by pasting all the names on the wall and throwing darts at them...

u think they have time to go through the thousands of NSFs that enlist every few months? impossible lah... they'll just pick out the "special" ones (super smart, scholars, officers, pilot material) and the rest gets randomly posted depending on where the people are needed.

u really think they post u according to your aptitude? no way...

EXCO SG

Last I heard, they do a "Wheel of fortune" in their computers with your name... I have seen my friends, very enthusiastic type with an A level/diploma, all of them never got into the vocation everyone expected them to be posted to. So I guess there is no point in worrying about this thing. Sad

Rollerboy SG

Oic....

I also feel the same way.....
I guess it's based on one's luck regarding the posting, which I don rely on, Haiz....

*Sigh Sad

AnyWay, thks alot for you guys' replies.
I'm now looking forward to wat's gonna surprise me in the next 2 years ahead, Or issint gonNa disappoint me?

Let's hope not, keke, Gdluck guys.
Very Happy