i have 4 poly grad friends who signed on as officers under the 3
year scheme. of which, 3 is totally regretted now... only 1 the
super duper ex-npcc is still okay.
Sounds like they weren't properly advised, on the outset. A
diploma is a IHL credential &, not only that, it's not a
general certificate either like A Levels or even a BA degree. Poly
grads are also supposed to be the most practical-inclined of
servicemen &, as such, shall presumably desire to apply when
they've studied for.
Many of them sign up for engineering & technical capacities in
the various military branches, as a result. Of course, getting an
officer commissioning will also influence their decisions, but it's
not the foremost one as some (presumably NSF) posters here think.
Rather, the serious careerist's goal is to first determine an
appropriate vocation.
I don't disagree that some Poly grads remain gung-ho enough to opt
for the combat arms. They do comprise the majority of job
opportunities in the Army side but, it's well-known now, the
farmers lose out to the scholars in the career paths there. Perhaps
more damagingly, any Army-trained regular who does not re-upp for a
second contract will enter the civilian job market competing with
fresh-faced job seekers for the same entry-level employment, yet
much older & without correlated experience on his resume.
That's why they end up as insurance agents or whatever.
So, on the one hand, IMO combat regulars will be busy with
full-time 24/7 duties for about two-thirds of their first contract,
due to operational postings -- &, despite all the material
benefits (can definitely afford to buy a car, compared to their
civilian peers), the lack of free time is quite disillusioning for
their girlfriends & wives too, beware. Yet they may have to
rebuild their working life from scratch if they doesn't carry on
thereafter. But signing on as an engineer or technician, regardless
of as officer or NCO, may entail a different occupational path in
order for the SAF to make the most out of his academic expertise.
This route is something I don't think every serving officer is
informed about to properly advise, unless he's with a
more-specialized outfit &/or has signed on the exact vocation
which the wannabe is aiming for.
