It really depends on your personality. But have to warn you
first. With a diploma, don't expect to be a high-flying officer and
retire as a high-ranking officer. Even with a degree, there is
little chance of you doing very well.
SAF is an organisation that rates paper more than ability. No
matter how fit you are or how much leadership quality you have, the
prospect of your promotion depends on your paper qualifications.
Suffice to say, the scholars are the ones who will have their
career paths laid out nicely for them to reach the top in a very
short time. So much so that I would reckon that a lot of our
generals were scholars. These generals, and higher ranks (Colonels)
have cushy jobs waiting for them in GLCs after their retirement
from the army.
If you are satisfied at being a middle man and can take
regimentation, then go ahead. But make sure you experience BMT life
first before signing on the dotted line. Be mindful that after your
compulsory retirement (45?), and when you are in the civilian
market, you are left with very little real skills, unless you
upgrade yourself.
I think most regulars have a pretty decent standard of living in
their 20s to 30s, 40s. A lot of them married young, set up
families, bought cars and stuff due to the pretty generous bonus
and stable pay. But what happens after they reach their lifecycle
is up to you to guess. I reckon some made it good outside while
others fumbled with a totally different way of life, and very
little applicable work skills.
Personally for me, I enjoy army life only when I go back for
reservist, like two-three weeks a year. It's refreshing, no-brainer
and gives me a good break from work. Plus, I get to meet up with
old pals.
But to do what I do as a Combat Engineer, day-in, day-out, for 365
days a year is a no-no. This probably explains why I am more
on-the-ball during reservist as compared to during my active
service.
