Voluntary Early Enlist Scheme (VEES)

LiteR SG

Hey guys.

I'm 17 this year and currently retaking my "O" levels. As the examination is drawing towards an end, I am certain that together with my past year results, the points I'll probably get (20-23) would not get me anywhere I want. Although its possible to land me in poly, there really isn't any course in that range that I want, and I would not like to waste my time & money registering for one that I have no interest in.

My question would be, firstly, is it advisable for me to opt for VEES, so as to not waste any further time? I'm sure that is the path I want although I've seen many advise against it.

What can I expect from it? Will I get thrown together with those "trouble makers" because I only have a "O" level cert? Is it possible for me to get into SPF/SCDF or Navy/Airforce, or will I get stuck in SAF (No offence intended).

And if I do get stuck in SAF, are there chances of me being promoted? I want to do well in my 2 years and don't intend to "keng" through it. But I'm afraid my qualifcation/age or "bunk-mates" will restrict me. What does vocation & promotion actually based on? (I know your PES affects, but does fitness, qualifcation does too?)

Should I just go ahead with my studies just so I can have a better life and prospect in NS? (Only NS wise, I'm confident of my future, so I'm not worried academically)

I've read through many post, but that are still many things I want to know. I apologize if my question have already been asked before or for my incorrect use of terms (New to this).

Many thanks!

loki_chaos SG

NS is always a good experience. If you really opt for early enlistment, there are still alot of possibilities as to where you'll end up in. Most likely your BMT will not be in Tekong. And speaking of promotion it depends on your IPPT and SOC; silver and pass respectively.

To me I think it's an advantage(study wise) if you go in earlier. Since you're only 17, by the time you're 'free', you'll only be 19/20. From here you can have choices like either work or going back to studies. If you go in after your poly, then you'll be 22/23(17+3[poly]+2[ns]).

Take time to plan if you'll be studying after you ORD. If not, it's better to study first. There's a whole lot difference when you go in with O-level and diploma.

Hitman2 SG

waaa.... think so far ahead already.....

if u want to go anywhere...at age 20,setup own company.....at age 30 ,u become millionaire....at age 40, u own a mercedes and a castle in germany.

just remember to go look up at the best places on this planet to learn.its lucky u have the internet as compared to the days of typewriters and books.

dont werry bout points.....the polytechnics let in too many foreigners to study who simply treat singapore as just another bus stop.in fact the polytechnics should pay you to study even since u are in NS and reservist!

Hitman2 SG

waaa.... think so far ahead already.....

if u want to go anywhere...at age 20,setup own company.....at age 30 ,u become millionaire....at age 40, u own a mercedes and a castle in germany.

just remember to go look up at the best places on this planet to learn.its lucky u have the internet as compared to the days of typewriters and books.

Hitman2 SG

so what kinda course do u want to take?quantum physics?applied mechanics?aircraft design?futuristic high tech design and fabrication?

what do u want to do with stuff u learnt?build a nuclear generator?build a droid army?build a futuristic car?build your own aircraft carrier?build your own jet engine?build machineguns?build your own company?become a cleaner or fitter?

all these u can choose if u go to the respective courses in any polytechnic.

Hitman2 SG

ns???its only 2 years now!!!it will be like 1 year 9 mths after they finish training u in basic military training.

as everyone there would be A level or poly.........chances are great u end up as a cook or in a vocation equal to that status based on your years of not extremely useful education.

however if u were to say study overseas as a doctor,,,u would probably come back as an officer upon completion of basic military training.and if u know how to play musical instruments like a trumpet or saxaphone,,,,u might get posted to some military band where u get a high rank in just a few short years.

but if u got o level....no medical degree...cant blow trumpet or saxaphone.....u might get sent stirring some soup pot with mr. ah beng who never bathes or never brushes his teeth for at least half a year.

dkcx SG

ns???its only 2 years now!!!it will be like 1 year 9 mths after they finish training u in basic military training.

as everyone there would be A level or poly.........chances are great u end up as a cook or in a vocation equal to that status based on your years of not extremely useful education.

There is no more cook vocation except for navy and even that is quite rare to get.

SAF, SPF or SCDF depends on ur luck.

With only a O's cert, its almost confirm mono intake into combat unit with no chance of command sch. U will be together with most of the ITE, poly dropouts etc etc and promotions is base on IPPT and performance to a max limit of CFC.

If u do intend to continue ur studies, i would advice u go study 1st before NS as its harder to start studying again after NS. However if u intend to go work etc after NS then there is no difference.

Lokey SG

20 - 23 points there is still many poly courses you take, keep your option and mind open. it is a fact that if u not smart enough, even if you get into the course you are going to struggle like mad, and even if you get the poly cert, you may end up struggling in your future job. go ITE or poly..

VESS for the BTC. Trouble Makers <-- aren't you one of them?

99% chance infantry, SIR mono-intake unit, rifle man for VESS

SAF chances of getting promoted depends on individual, cert, IPPT counts, your boss counts.

I got friend who go on and sign on as a Guardsman MAN after his N/Olevel? Dammed stupid and he regret like mad. Because he is being trapped as a LCPL man. If he ORD, even he go and be a sales assistant at NUM, he can earn more, and more freedom. Do even get a chance to hang out with him now as he always get trap in the camp.

If you can study first. If you are saddist to yourself and like being tekan, then VESS loh.

But who know, you may be a Pes C or E fellow ended up as a clerk!? .

LiteR SG

@ loki_chaos & dkcx

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Appreciate it.

@ Hitman2

I appreciate your help on the polytechnic part, but I'm not looking for advice on that. I know well after sitting the papers and can roughly gauge my mark range. From there, I've actually looked at the 2009 COP of poly already and gave it a hard thought before deciding that none of them are suited for me (Including the ones you've listed out, most of which belongs to engineering).

But just because they are not suited for me, I'm not stupid enough to throw my future away just like that. I know what I am & will be doing. I believe that there is no one better than myself to make the decisions that affect my own life.

Putting that aside, I'm more concern about my NS life. 1 year & 10 months/ 2 years is actually quite a long time for me. And because of that, I do not wish to spend my time there hating and cursing life in NS. I do want to make full use of my NS to get fitter, wiser and everything else.

@ Lokey

I do believe that I'm smart enough to excel. I hope I'm not sounding too proud or being too cocky, but I know the reason why I did badly for my "O" levels was only because I was lazy, academically. To simply put it, I'm more of a hands-on person.

I appreciate your concern for my future, but I'm sure no one would be stupid enough to screw up their life, and neither will I.

As for the NS part, what is the "VESS for BTC" you are referring to? I'm quite new to all these NS terms, but are you referring to VEES (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme)? Cause if not, I think you've mistaken me.

TrueHeart SG

Hi Liter,

I will suggest that you continue your studies first, if you do not wish to end in a mono-intake unit. If you really think that the courses in local polytechnics are not for you, you may want to consider taking up private diploma/courses instead.

Your qualifications will not affect what vocation you will end up in, though it will affect your chances of getting into Command School. As for your fitness, unless you have a medical history of serious heat injuries and such, otherwise it will not affect your vocation if there is no change to your PES status.

Cheers.

Rooney9 SG

Hi Liter,

Cheers.

Hi Trueheart

you always start with a hi and ends with cheers hahaha. seldom see forumers so consistent with their posting. btw your avatar looks lovely.

cheers.

LiteR SG

Hi Liter,

Cheers.

Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?

Thanks.

dkcx SG

Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?

Thanks.

Monointake is always into the combat units = infantry, armour, engineer, artillery, guards etc

Besides commandos and NDU, i don't think anyone else likes to kanna mono intake or join a mono intake coy.

TrueHeart SG

Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?

Thanks.

Hi Liter,

Mono-intake is not necessary a bad thing, but most will agree that the training there is tougher, the commanders are much more vulgar, and you will have to be able to collaborate together with people from all sorts of background.

As for the vocation, it will depend on which mono-intake unit you got posted to.

Cheers.

Lokey SG

VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.

But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.

It really came down to personality, they are those carefree, happy-go-lucky people. Infantry man is not that bad, sleep in the bunk most of the time and sweat once in while. My friends have all become white and fat after they ORD. While the officer rush from HQ to office and need to clear all the admin, logistic and planning. The men just have to wait in the bunk for instruction and follow the instructions.

Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).

Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.

dkcx SG

VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.

But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.

Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).

Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.

You should believe him, treating his men well could be true but his definition of well and our definition could be different :p

Giving them extra PT etc could be treating them well as its to improve their fitness. Tekanning them could be treating them well to make them more resilent grow stronger etc etc :p

walsly SG

Being a men isn't really a bad thing. I was from poly and got enlisted into tekong bmtc, then opted no to command sch and i landed in armour camp as a AI trooper. I still remember the very first day i reached the gate and i thought to myself " this is it, im gonna get screwed [email protected]#$*#@#% "

that was more than a year ago, life isnt that bad as a combatant in a active unit. like what lokey mentioned, most of the time men jus slack in bunk, playing psp / slping / watchin dvd. Of coz there r PT , sai kang and etc. but how long can they take? 1hr? 2hr? after those shits is back to slacking again. and before you know it , you're about to turn civilian again !

LiteR SG

VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.

But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.

Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).

Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.

I thought its VEES and not VESS =X

LiteR SG

Hey thanks!

So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.

dkcx SG

Hey thanks!

So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.

There is noone who will know what the ppl u will meet be like. Diff ppl have diff experience, some good some bad. Very often it depends on ur own attitude that affects how others treat you.