So since I have already notified that I am going overseas I will
be excused from the manning or whatever.
I didn't get it -- you'll be overseas during the mob-briefing
day or the entire mob-manning week? Yes, the unit can excuse you
(just make sure your passport reflects your departure/arrival) but
not one from the other. The SAF can charge you if you're still in
S'pore but don't report during either of the two events.
But I still don't think its worth my time going back.
~shrug~ Your puasa. Having gone through the 13-yr cycle, I found
your earlier quip about "got till 40 yrs old to do this crap" to be
mightily naive. My tip would be not to siam anything -- esp. in the
early years. Yes, it's very inconvenient & the initial
regimentation won't go down well. But once you settle into
reservist life, you'll instinctively see my point.
Most lao-jiao peng "feared" two things most: (a) doing IPPT when
they hit 30something, & (b) posted in mid-cycle to a newly
ORDed unit. So they would report for every call-up (ICT, mob, FFI,
parade, whatever) &, true enough, there's an ultimate payoff.
As long as the CO noted their attendence & kept their names on
his nominal roll, they would be transferred together post-cycle as
a unit to the MINDEF reserves. Meaning no more callups, IPPT, mob
mannings, etc. for the remaining 5 years or so of their
liability.
But their peers who still "owed" any ICTs, or who were posted in
during mid-cycle, or were on the holding list, etc. -- they must
continue to do IPPT &/or, worst of all, to join another unit
for their ICT (& mobs).
Unit performance itself usually peak during the 5th or 6th ICT -- I
know, cuz me & my peers went through it -- after which
diminishing returns set in as many enter middle management or run
their own businesses or start families in their civilian lives.
(The SAF recognized this, by cutting down the high-key ICTs to 7
& finishing out with the minor BIT sessions.) In other words, a
unit tends to start winding down as its troops enter their late
20s. So imagine the envious faces during these times when (a) those
"IOU" cases must do makeup elsewhere, or be posted out altogether,
& (b) some unwilling holdovers kena mobilisation ICs, or get
recycled on as KAHs.
You're only setting yourself for such a fate, unless you plan to be
based overseas from now until past 40. To forewarn, it can be
gruelling trying to juggle persistent reservist commitments when
one hit the 30s. IMO Better off eating the "medicine" now, rather
than later.
