Q1) If i were to apply for this vocation, when should i do it?
Now (still studying) or after my A levels? (As i have known through
some research that the selection can take quite sometime)
Q2) Say if i were to sign on (non-scholarship) during NS, will i
be able to pursue my full time degree after my NS and continue my
bond afterwards? Or do i have to complete the bond first?
Thats all i have to ask, hope you guys can help me out.
A1 - Doesn't matter. The door remains open, equal opportunity
and benefits, up until you complete your NS (before you ORD).
Within your NS liability period, if accepted, they will backpay
regular salary to the day you enlisted. You can even sign on after
ORD, up till max age of 27 for degree holders, but no back pay.
A2 - The minimum criteria to sign on as an officer (all pilots
are officers), you need an 'A' level or Polytechnic Diploma, pass
IPPT + combat fit (Pes A/B), under 300 deg myopia, no colour
blindness, pass a series of psychometric and physical
tests/measurements. Above that, you need to pass an interview +
perform reasonably well during BMT to be considered capable enough
to be of leadership material (ie. nerds and weaklings will be
weeded out).
Having said all that...in terms of qualifications, if you intend to
pursue a degree, you will only be allowed to disrupt if you take up
the LSA (Local Study Award) to study in NUS/NTU/SMU(SIT/SUTD not
sure), or OSA (Overseas Study Award) with their list of recognized
instuitions. Otherwise, you can't disrupt to say....do a SIM degree
for example. You can only do that on a part-time basis at your own
time (but unlikely to find time, since the SAF will not allow
flexible scheduling for your own pursuits).
Even if you gain acceptance, the path to a career as a pilot/WSO is
not as straightforward. There're stringent and difficult tests
along the way (skills + knowledge based). Failure at any point
(high failure rate) = sent back to SAF and dropped from being an
officer (post to Specialist Cadet School upon failure).