For all those who has yet to pack their stuff for enlistment
day, here's a list of "essential items". Well, if you are garang
enough, you may always try to enlist with nothing other than the
clothes you wore.
1) Non-camera handphone.
(All handphone with cameras are prohibited items. A good choice of
handphone for BMT are those <$100 non-cam phones from 7-11.
Don't bring expensive phones to BMT. Also, you are NOT ALLOWED to
carry handphone around in camp, and handphones can only be used
inside your bunk. Theft is also a concern)
2) Portable/ battery-operated handphone charger
(you are expect to make ur phone last until you book out.)
- Can ignore if
- You plan to use your phone for SMS only
- You have spare batteries or spare handphone
3) Hangers
(You are expected to use hangers not only for hanging clothes, and
also for drying clothes too. Around 5 will do.)
4) extra PT shirts and shorts.
There will be 5BX everyday at 0530hrs, plus PT later in the day.
Unless you are willing to re-wear your sweaty shirts, better buy 2
or more sets or PT shirt and admin shirt.
5) Coins
get at least $10 coins. You would miss spending money. And only
near the end of BMT then are you allowed to go to the canteen.
meanwhile, the drinks vending machines would do.
6) Money
As mentioned in 5, you will not have any chance to spend money. And
you are strongly encouraged to go straight home when you book out.
So, bring just enough money for your taxi fare. Again, theft is an
issue.
Bring $2 for haircut. (no no, haircut is not free.)
7) 1 set of toiletries.
toothbrush, toothpaste, shaver etc. the set that they are going to
issue are for show only. Ask your sergeant to explain.
8) Bank acc. number.
There will be talks by Aviva insurance asking you to sign up for
their $100k coverage. fees will be deducted via giro, thus the need
for your bank acc. number. It is highly advisable to sign up.
(People DO die in BMT)
9) Bring some books, magazines along. can be shared around or for
topics of discussion. If you are close to your instructors, they
might even lend you a couple of FHMs. =D
Things not to bring:
1) Lock. they will issue you with a combination lock. They will not
let you use your own lock anyway. so ignore the recommendation list
they gave.
2) Food and snacks. No food allowed until you are given permission
to bring snacks in. Rats are an issue in some buildings.
3) Handphone charger, camera handphones. even if you can sneak it
in, you won't be able to bring it back out. and if caught, be
prepared to stay back over the weekends.
4) PSP, nintendo DS etc.
Recruits are not allowed to bring in these. Wait for permission to
be given.
5) playing cards. no gambling is allowed.
Don't fool around with your weekends by being a clown.
What to expect on enlistment day:
Going there:
Queue up at pasir ris interchange for SAF shuttle bus to SAF ferry
terminal. There will be soldiers ushering enlistees and
guests.
Do not drive to SAF ferry terminal directly. It is not open for
access by vehicles other than the shuttle buses.
At SAF ferry terminal:
everyone will board the ferry for P.Tekong. Everyone are to bring
along their NRIC, concession pass etc, as they will be scanned for
headcount.
P.Tekong:
Parents and enlistees will be separated after reaching P.Tekong
jetty.
Parents will be given a guided tour of the camp grounds.
Enlistees will be ushered to surrender their NRIC for SAF 11B, and
collect their slingbag. A contact number for their company line
will be given, to be pass to parents for purpose of
emergency.
Enlistees will proceed to auditorium for swearing in, followed by
address by CO of BMT sch, in presence of parents.
after swearing in, Recruits will have last meal with parents at the
cookhouse, before falling in and starting army life.
Your equipment will be issued to you thereafter. Please replace
faulty items and uniforms, before the given deadline, or you will
have to replace them out of your own pocket.
And after that, you will soon have your dreaded haircut. no point
shaving your head outside, unless you plan to shave bald or cut
until really short cause they will still want their $2 profit and
shave you again. Bring exact change.
Tip: Don't let the tranny cut your hair. Observe and you will
understand why. Take your time.
Lights out at 2200hrs.
For confinement week of BMT, its still the honeymoon week, and they
won't be too demanding. Things will get progressively
tougher.
Life would be boring in the first few weeks, with all the talks and
lectures. Be mentally prepared. It is not like the POW camp you
imagined.
All the Best for your enlistment day!