Most people will tell you that it is not worth it to sign on. I
will tell you that to each his own. One man's meat is another man's
poison. However, if a lot of people tell you that it is not worth
it, you might want to explore why the majority says so.
I won't bluff you, I signed on that dotted line before but I got
out due to a special reason. Still, you might want to get yourself
a clearer look at the culture and organisation before you sign on
the dotted line. That is because the organisation and culture is
not what most people can tolerate. You need to have an, I will say
unconventional, mindset to stay on.
I won't discourage nor encourage you to sign on. It's your
decision. Do keep in mind that it's the recruitment's job to sell
you the good stuff and not tell you the bad stuff. After all, no
sane salesman will tell what's wrong with his product. You need to
be clear as to whether you want to stay till 50 or you might opt
for a career switch at around 28 to 30?
Now onto your questions proper:
"Just wondering, as a poly student, what are the chances of
getting into OCS?"
It depends on your BMT performance. The chances of you getting
into OCS as a regular is higher than that of an NSF.
"And if I have secured a place in uni, and signed on. Do
they pay for my school fees even though its a arts
degree?"
Yes, if you sign on as an officer, you will most likely be given
Local Study Award which pays for your tuition fees + some
allowances during the course of your study. You can't, however, opt
to study for certain courses. Check here for the list. Most arts degree will
be okay for you. Also, since you mentioned arts degree, I guess
engineering jobs are out for you.
"And hows the pay structure like?"
Ok this is supposed to be classified. However, since you asked,
I shall use my example. That time I signed on as an A level
graduate as a WSO in the RSAF (since you asked about the RSAF I
assume you are interested in it). My starting monthly pay is $1970
including 15% CPF contribution as an officer cadet. That's the
lowest starting pay among the officer pay structure. There are 3
pay schemes: Scheme A, B and C. Scheme A is for A level and Poly
graduates. Of course, poly graduates get a bit more than A level
graduates. Scheme B is for degree graduates. Scheme C is for the
high flyers and they must be in Scheme B before they can qualify
for Scheme C through a selection process. Also, some Scheme A
people can crossover to Scheme B if they do not hold the necessary
qualifications but they are very good in their performances.
Of course, there are the scholars whose payscales are
calculated differently but will it be fair for me to say that you
are most likely not a 4.0 GPA and thus your chance of landing a
Merit Scholarship is not that high? Sorry if I sound a bit
offensive but I have got to present you the truth. Ok, as a guide,
for a Scheme B CPT (aka degree qualification), it's around $3000+
starting.
"Other than that, I'm wearing specs, both eyes less than 400.
Any possibilities to join the airforce?"
Now looking at this link, you can even be a pilot even though
both your eyes have 500 deg each. Most importantly, in the RSAF,
you can't be colour blind. That's because red and green are
important colours in aviation and aircraft recognition. As such,
you can be a pilot or a WSO PROVIDED you pass the medical, COMPASS
test (a test of your ability to do what your vocation requires of
you) and training. I will discount Air Engineering Officer because
you mentioned that you are going for an arts degree in
university.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to ask
questions about RSAF in these threads: http://www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/324100?page=10
or http://www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/308047?page=17
And oh, someone by the nick of Gloater/Gloaterback will probably
reply here or PM you to warn against taking my advice because: " I
am not one of your peers in school (NUS) with questionable IQ. I
was warning the unsuspecting and innocent forummers about taking
what you say wholesale and not with a pinch of salt. Your
credibility is doubtful because you have the proven tendency to
believe things you have no basis in believing. Such as the results
of your internet adversaries, amongst other farmer
assumptions."
I believe I must include contrary opinions about me to make it
more balanced. Your choice as to whether you want to take my advice
as true or not.
Remember, in the end, it's your life. You have one chance, live
it and love it.
look at you giving advice when you know squat again. I am not
interested in 'stalking' you and neither am i concerned with your
farmer university delusions. Afterall, fools have the right to
daydream. But you time and again spout false information in the
guise of giving 'advice' to those who seek it, that leaves me with
no choice.
Pls look at what i quoted of you which I bold.
You are so tragically wrong again, and why? Cos you are a
farmer. That's why yours is a farmer's view.
SMS the farmer scholarship has the same payscale as ATA and MTA.
At its highest, it's only scheme C. So you are wrong to claim
that they have 'special payscale' or that they are 'scholars'.
Next, he does not require a GPA of 4.0 to be offered the SMS. I
know at least 3 poly graduates who were offered the SMS. Only 2 of
them have a diploma with merit. You do not need 4.0 either to get a
diploma with merit. If i'm not wrong just top 20% of the cohort,
anyone poly grad or students here please correct me if i'm wrong.
Unlike some people, I don't 'sound so sure' when it comes to matter
that I have no actual experience in.
SMS holders are not considered scholars in SAF, like three other
people in a single thread here earlier who told you, SMS is a
farmer scholarship, for A level holders, very bad results like 4A
with no S papers also can get. In other words, anyone can get it, like what 3
of us in the thread agreed earlier. Of course everything is
relative. Perhaps to you, you don't see the joke we see, because in
the loser law school you're about to enrol, one can get in with BBA
and the average there is AAB. Pathetic...
SMS's pay is NOT calculated differently. By the sheer fact that
they adhere to the same pay scales and their pay is calculated the
same way as everyone else, is a clear indication that they are half
fuck scholars in the SAF.
How can SMS's pay be calculated differently and not just with
Schemes A/B/C? SMS is an SAF product. Scheme A/B/C are SAF
payscale. SMS, just like ATA and MTA adhere to this payscale like
everyone else in the SAF. Get it?
The ONLY reason SAFOS's pay is calculated differently, is
because they are PSC scholars. Wake up.
Please don't waste people's time by giving misguided and false
information about scholars and their lives when you were never one.
I even know of SMS people who fail to get scheme C.