Defense Studies Degree

last SG · 2006-06-26T14:45:00+00:00

Originally posted by packjust: I don't know if you played too much CS (Counter Strike) or read too many novels on military life. They might have left you in...

SpecOps87 SG

Hi Guys,wondering if I should work towards specialising in a Defense Studies Degree which covers Military History, Modern Warfare, Tactics etc. as I'm interested in signing on as an officer with the SAF.

However,I have certain fears that if I can't perform well and I might be booted out of the SAF or early retirement for officer being 45 and still got like 10yrs to go before getting any money from CPF. So am thinking that maybe I should take a business degree,such as Marketing or something as I'm currently a Business student in poly. Because to me, though being passionate and highly interested in all things military, the very real problem of whether I'm being able to put food on the table also counts. Thus, I need some advice on whether it is wise to get a Defense Degree, as there's no use for it in the coporate world...unless they want me to come out with tactics by Clausewitz,Napoleon or Sun Tzu or should I come study in a Business degree?

kwlee SG

erm, maybe u should think of this later in ur life?

cos before you go get ur degree u have to serve ur ns 1st.

So u get to know if you really like military life before you sign on and eventually taking up that degree Wink

saline SG

serve ur ns first.. see if u really like it. than decide.

wuming78 SG

your wanting to sign on can be treated separately from the degree you want to pursue.

Ristar SG

lol... sign on. every mother's son who havent serve yet wanna sign on before NS. i was one of them. and i can tell u that i cant wait to ORD now. 350 days to go.

why? simply because its just so political inside its like a bottomless pit. whether u r competent or not is secondary. whether ppl like u (aka u carry enough balls at the right time n place) is up to whether the individual wanna make himself so cheap.

in addition, do not expect 'fair' treatment inside. u have to slog your guts out for a vocational badge, yes, be proud of it. but somebody else who has high rank on his shoulders get the same badge just for enrolling in the course, without spending a day training. Laughing

this and more, find out when u enlist.

wuming78 SG

politics occur everywhere - as long as the organisation is big and there is bucreaucracy.

did you see the second point happen yourself?

Ristar SG

yep. so? nothing.

SpecOps87 SG

Yes, I understand that. But the thing here is...I'm interested in the degree,not because I wanna sign-on. In-fact, I just see myself that if I have the Defense Studies Degree, its just aids my work with the SAF. However, if I do take that degree, and work in the private sector, of what use is my degree? Coz its pretty specialized you see. This, it is essential as I do not want to end up like my friend's sister, who have been sitting at home for 3yrs after getting her Mass Comm. degree from Australia and come back and nt get employed.Thus, I don't wanna make my parents spend a bomb and end up with a degree, but of no use.

Ristar SG

electronics/computer engineering? IT?

there are lots of things to do. but if u take this defense studies degree, u can only sign on with the SAF.

wuming78 SG

the degree is indeed very specialised and yes, it is not likely to be useful in the private sector. i wonder if it is possible to do it as a minor, or double degree? a military career can "accept" this degree only because it can accept a wide variety of degrees.

if i were you, and i dont want to restrict myself to a military career, i would pursue two degrees / one degree and a diploma, one after another.

Ponders SG

You should sign on those schemes where SAF SENDS you to study for those degree.

If you study those degrees privately. You will not haev any preferential treatment by the type of degree you studied. Instead they will look at whether your degree is relevant to what you want to sign on as.

As of now, i dunno anything you can sign on as where they want a defense studies degree.

SpecOps87 SG

Don’t know bout the fine details, but with this degree, I suppose it can be used for the development of tactics,doctrines and so on.

Marco_Simone SG

I not gonna comment about your signing on.But I have something to say about getting the degree part.

You can get a Masters of Science in Strategic Studies from The Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies(IDSS) at NTU.

http://www.ntu.edu.sg/idss/teaching/MSc.asp

To qualify for the programme,you need a bachelor's degree first.I suggest you read subjects such as Political Science and History at NUS first.

For political science,there are modules which have to do with international conflicts.

For history,there are modules about military history.

By the way,I aim to study at IDSS also someday. Wink

LazerLordz SG

Same here.

I guess locally, it's the only route of advancement that is related to my Pol Sci degree.

Unless I do IR abroad..

Marco_Simone SG

Are you concentrating on IR modules for your PS?

Kripa and Singh are good. Wink

octega SG

My recommendation is to aim for a business degree may be in areas such as management, etc. Got a real life example too, during my last sem, was taking a course in management in NTU, got a regular LTC from SAFTI is my tutor, I think he is teaching in SAFTI and part-timing as a tutor in NTU.

One time, he wore his No.3 to class, we were like Shocked Shocked Shocked Surprised

Overall, I was quite impressed, there was no trace of military context during his class which I feel is an assest if he decides not to continue his military career and switch to private sector.

LazerLordz SG

Aiming for Globalisation and IR related. Hope to take the Security Studies module in the future.

I'm not too keen on local politics or political theory as a field of study.I'd rather study modules which are more timely and relevant to future political and security trends.

Wonder if my Cultural Studies minor will help..I feel I can use a bit of cross-disciplinary understanding at this stage. Wink

wuming78 SG

nice..

anyone knows if the masters of science in strategic studies, political sci or IR can be done part-time?

SpecOps87 SG

But how long is a Master’s Course anyway? As I’m only in my 2nd year in Poly. And the defense studies is only avb. overseas, and i did a rough calculation that by the time I get my degree, I would be like 26 already.

LazerLordz SG

Hmm, I'm not too sure about the Masters of Science in Strategic Studies.

International Relations is a sub-field of Political Science in NUS. For part-time students from the SAF, maybe you can ask the Office of Admissions and the Dept of Political Science office..

I know there are part-time Masters students for History though..hmm..