IPPT Penalty: Default 3x, MUST Go FITNESS BOOT CAMP!

eac SG

[UPDATED 10:15am 1 November 2014: Corrected, as the boot camp penalty will be applied to those who accumulate three default counts and not just to those who skip IPPT three times in a row]

Starting next year, reservists who skip the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) three times will have to attend a five-day fitness boot camp.

According to a report by The Straits Times, the soldiers will be forced to do fitness training during the camp, aside from paying a monetary fine.

Currently, offenders are usually spared from being confined to detention barracks, but they typically are asked to pay a fine of $100.

The new penalty comes after it was made easier for NSmen to train and pass the mandatory fitness test.

In July this year it was announced that the IPPT would comprise three stations instead of five starting from April next year.

By Yahoo! Singapore | Yahoo Newsroom – Fri, Oct 31, 2014

eac SG

By Jermyn Chow Defence Correspondent
Straits Times
Published on Oct 31, 2014

Confinement, the bane of conscripted soldiers here, will continue to haunt reservists who skip the mandatory military fitness test three times in a row.

Instead of a $100 fine - the usual penalty currently - citizen soldiers will soon be locked up in camp, "forced" to exercise and still pay a monetary penalty.

The new regime starts in January, with a five-day boot camp aimed at getting operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) fit, said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

It comes amid recent efforts to toughen up citizen soldiers here and get them in shape.

Measures have also been taken to make the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) less of a chore for NSmen who have to juggle family and work commitments. These include a stripped-down fitness test starting in April and more convenient venues to train for the test.

But despite giving them more leeway to keep fit, the military said it is inevitable that there will be persistent offenders.

"There will be a small number of NSmen who may not have a valid reason for not attempting their IPPT," the army's assistant chief of general staff (training), Colonel Ng Ying Thong, told The Straits Times.

Now, those who skip the IPPT three or more times are fined or risk being thrown into detention barracks - the army equivalent of prison - for up to a week. It is understood that recalcitrant defaulters have been spared the jail term and usually get away with a fine of $100.

The new confinement will "focus on teaching NSmen the different types of fitness modalities and fitness habits", said Col Ng.

He said the SAF aims to partner NSmen to lead healthy lifestyles and the fitness camp is a "constructive programme aimed at helping NSmen train for and do well in their IPPT". Barred from leaving camp premises, offenders will get fitness training and attempt the IPPT.

Col Ng declined to reveal the number of repeat offenders. It is unclear whether they will get their salaries from the Government when sent to boot camp.

The 2010 figures from the Ministry of Defence - the most recent available - showed that half of the 116,000 NSmen who take the test annually fail it.

The Straits Times understands that the idea of confining and forcing IPPT defaulters to exercise in camps has been on the cards since last year.

Several NSmen told The Straits Times they were briefed on details of the new penalties earlier this year. One of them, a 34-year-old insurance agent who declined to be named, said: "With all the measures to make it easier for us to train and keep fit, it will be foolish of anyone not to be bothered to do something and risk being confined."

kooldog59 SG

Why don't MINDEF consider IPPT done at Community Clubs instead of going to camp. Give the Reservist a 2 month period where he can go anytime within the +/- 1 month from official date to a Community Club near his home. Afterall, we can have volunteer officials at the Community Clubs to organize this on weekends. It will also build the community spirit as his family can also do the IPPT with him. The new IPPT only have 3 stations, so it is really quite easy.

eac SG

September 2014

UPDATE: IPT-IN-THE-PARK at PASIR RIS TOWN PARK WILL BEGIN OPERATIONS FROM 21 OCT 2014.

1. The IPT in the Park trial aims to provide more convenience and accessibility for NSmen by incorporating fitness training in existing parks and stadiums near NSmen's homes and workplaces. Going beyond the conventional fitness training, the IPT in the Park trial provides a more innovative, engaging and fulfilling training experience, through the use of varied fitness modalities such as calisthenics¹ and plyometrics² exercises.

¹Form of exercise consisting of a variety of activities often rhythmical movements without using equipment. Common calisthenic exercises include lunges, jumping jacks, crunches, push-ups, dips, flutter kicks, plank etc.
²A type of exercise which involves the explosive contraction of muscles e.g. Seal Jumping Jacks, Hand Touches, Low Box Lateral Shuffle.

2. Locations. The IPT in the Park trial locations are selected based on a population density study vis-a-vis distance to FCCs and proximity to hospitals. The trial sites are: (1) Bishan Park (North-East); (2) Punggol Park (East); (3) [email protected] Marina Bay (South); (4) Pasir Ris Town Park (East) and; (5) Jurong Central Park (West). The training sessions will be rotated daily across the 5 locations. Pictures of the training locations are shown below.

BISHAN PARK (NEAR MACDONALDS)

PASIR RIS TOWN PARK (NEXT TO PASIR RIS SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE)

THE PROMONTORY @ MARINA BAY (NEAR MARINA CITY GALLERY)

JURONG CENTRAL PARK (NEAR MACDONALDS)

PUNGGOL PARK (NEAR WILD OATS RESTAURANT)

3. Conduct. The trial at the 5 selected locations commences from 18 Sep to 31 Dec 14. For the month of September, fitness specialists from Army Fitness Centre will conduct the IPT in the Park sessions. From October to December, qualified commercial fitness trainers will be employed to conduct the sessions.

Table 1: Training Schedule

4. Duration. Each training session is approximately 75 minutes in duration with the following activities:

5. Medical Coverage. A paramedic/registered nurse will be onsite together with an ambulance to provide immediate medical response. Similar to all fitness activities such as IPPT test, Remedial Training or IPT conducted in FCCs, participants in IPT in the Park above the age of 35 are required to attend and clear their health screening prior to participation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Are there additional locations or tie-ups with private gyms for IPT/ RT? Can NSmen do RT in commercial gyms?

Fitness training outside of FCCs is not a new concept. Since 2008, the SAF has been offering IPT at select SAFRA EnergyOne Gyms. NSmen can volunteer for these programmes for a nominal fee. However, they must do their 1st and last IPT sessions at FCCs as IPPT will be conducted for them. The SAF will continue to explore additional locations for IPT to increase the accessibility and convenience of fitness training for NSmen, without compromising training standards.

2. Are there plans to move RT out of the FCCs?

The IPT-in-the-Park initiative is a trial to move the IPT out of the FCCs. The trial will run from Sep to Dec 14 and will focus on IPT. As this is still a trial, we will study the findings before we decide whether it should be extended to RT. Currently, there are no plans to do so for RT.

3. How are the locations for the IPT in the Park chosen?

For the trial, 5 locations have been identified to provide fitness training for NSmen who are working or living in parts of Singapore that are not close to our current FCCs. The 5 locations are: (1) Bishan Park (North); (2) Punggol Park (North East); (3) The Promontory @ Marina Bay (South); (4) MOE, Evans Road (Central); and (5) Jurong Central Park (West). Together with the FCCs, we have more than doubled the locations island wide from 4 to 9 venues for our NSmen to take their IPT.

4. How do I participate in it?

The trial will be open to all NSmen who are eligible for the IPT programme. NSmen who are interested in this trial can book the session at NS.sg or NSMobile from 10 Sep 14. As each IPT in the park session has a daily capacity of 50 participants, registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

5. Who will conduct the IPT in the Park sessions?

At the start of the trial, Fitness Specialist (FS) from Army Fitness Centre (AFC) will be conducting the IPT sessions for a month. They will be replaced by commercial Fitness Trainers (FT) from Oct onwards.

6. Will NSmen get to experience the enhanced IPT when they subscribe to IPT-in-the-park?

During the trial of IPT-in-the-Park, only Metabolic Circuit training will be conducted. This training programme is also available at the FCCs. We may consider adding other training programmes if the feedback from the IPT-in-the-Park trial shows a strong demand for the other programmes.

7. Will IPT-n-the-Park sessions count towards my annual IPT requirements?

Attendance in IPT in the Park sessions will count towards the serviceman’s IPT requirements. However, the 1st and 10th session of the IPT programme must be taken at a FCC.

The 1st session consists of physical measurement (BMI) for individuals, IPPT and setting of Personal Performance Target (PPT). The 10th session consists of an IPPT. The IPPT needs to be conducted in an FCC with the Electronic IPPT Scoring System (ELISS) that provide the most efficient and accurate assessment.

8. How long will each IPT-in-the-Park session last?

Each IPT training session is approximately 75 minutes in duration with the following activities: In and out-processing/Safety Briefing and warm-up – 15 mins; Fitness Training and cool-down – 60 mins.

9. Will SAF be including more locations for the IPT-in-the-Park after the pilot trial?

The SAF will conduct a Post Implementation Review (PIR) after the pilot trial to assess the receptivity and effectiveness of IPT-in-the-Park before finalising the number of IPT-in-the-Park locations.

10. Who can I contact if I’m late for my training session?

NSmen can contact the administration team from NSAD at 81255925. NSmen who arrive more than 15 mins will not be able to join the training.

11. How will this programme help raise the fitness level of NSmen?

As part of the overarching SAF Fitness Framework, IPT-in-the-Park aims to provide greater flexibility to help our NSmen in their training programme, in this case by bringing the training closer to their home or place of work. With a programme closely aligned with that practiced in the FCCs, we believe this will encourage more NSmen to participate and take ownership of their fitness and stay fit.

12. Will members of the public or non-registered NSmen be able to participate in the IPT sessions?

No. The initiative is only open to registered NSmen.

13. How do we in-pro/out-pro at the various locations?

During the trial, staff from NSAD/AFC will be deployed to each session daily to administer the program.

14. Do all the locations start at the same time? What time do the sessions start at each of the locations?

For the four locations nearer the residential estate, we are expecting for the NSmen to travel home before joining the session. Therefore, we are starting the session a little later at 7 pm. As for the Promontory, we will be starting at 1830 hrs.

The timings of the IPT sessions are as follows:

15. Is IPT-in-the-Park training safe for NSmen? What is the safety coverage in the conduct of the sessions?

The SAF places great emphasis in the conduct of our training sessions for our soldiers. The professional trainers whom we employ for the conduct of IPT-in-the-Park are all certified with a valid Fitness Instructor Certificate (FIC) issued by fitness agencies recognised by Sports Singapore or equivalent. There will also be onsite medic and ambulance at every session to render assistance to any participant who is not feeling well.

16. How can we ensure that the IPT-in-the-Park initiative does not affect public safety and hinder public usage of the parks?

The SAF has booked the venues required for IPT-in-the-Park and will work with the relevant authorities to ensure that we do not hinder public usage of the parks.

17. What safety measures have we put in place in view of wet weather e.g. Do we cancel IPT-in-the-Park when there is a CAT 1 Lightning Risk?

We will delay the start of the IPT-in-the- Park session for 30 minutes if there is a CAT 1 Lightning Risk. If the risk persists, we will cancel the training.

18. Do you have a way to inform NSmen of a cancellation due to an impending CAT 1 Lightning Risk?

The IPT in the Park initiative is a trial over four months from Sep to Dec 14. During the trial period, NSmen can call the SAF Call Centre or the on-site administration team at 81255925 to check if the IPT in the Park for that day has been cancelled.

lemon1974 SG

now already give 9 months to attemp one IPPT, is also difficult for some person. not sure why also.. sat/sun also got IPPT slot available.. further, if you have go for ICT during a particular year, u will sure be taking the IPPT in camp.