Is a military career a wise choice for me ?

last SG · 2006-06-25T18:00:06+00:00

i heard the AMO (diploma qualification) is closing down.

Puutan SG

After my graduation from my polytechnic, i have been wondering what other jobs i could take after my national service has ended. But honestly, right now i could not even think of any other job except for being a regular in the armed forces as a possibility for my future career.

I don't really have the desire to join the private sector, i don't really see anything worthwhile in that line of work.

Right now i am a computer engineering polytechnic graduate and i have a PES grading of C1 L3. I may plan to further my studies to get a degree so that i could at least build my mental capabilities and prove to be competent in a higher academic area.

So the thing is, what kind of vocation i am suitable for with my PES grading ? Would the armed forces still allow people (if they still wish) to continue working till the maximum age of 55, as officially said in the army website ? I would like to know better how do the other regulars feel about being in the army on a full time basis.

I would like these questions to be answered because after thinking about my last topic about being a sniper is really stupid and far-fetched, and it didn't clarify my doubts at all. Thanks for helping me out.

kopiosatu SG

I don't really have the desire to join the private sector, i don't really see anything worthwhile in that line of work.

- military sibeh worthwile. Rolling Eyes

alwaysdisturbed SG

y dun u ask these to the recruitment officer?

Hellraiza SG

with ur pes status u could probably sign on in the military engineering/logistics sector as an officer lah….

kopiosatu SG

if i'm not wrong, Pes C can't sign on.

only A & B.

if you wanna be Pes C as a regular, then u gotta downgrade while you're in there.

wuming78 SG

pes grading aside - they are slightly more liberal with that nowadays, since it open up the potential talent pool, and if the vocation is not physical, why not - i think you ought to really consider carefully what your interests are and what you can excel in.

besides the private sector the government sector offers a variety of jobs too.

so it really depends on what you want to do, and whether this is going to be your long-term career or a stepping stone to something else.

you ought to also take into consideration the slightly unique character of a military organisation too. not many people can take it - pretty apparent from all the comments we would have heard. i guess to sign on as a regular, it takes that bit more passion for the career, and a unique one in the soldiering profession, than other careers.

i think the rest of the questions are only subsequent to such fundamentals. so do consider carefully first.

btw im a regular so i am not out to bash the organisation. Wink

LazerLordz SG

Perhaps you might want to get your degree before you consider joining the SAF. After all, your current situation, will at most allow you to sign on as a Tech Specialist. I'm not sure about computer engineering in the SAF as a career per se.

Best you call up the recruitment center and have a talk with them.

fudgester SG

Actually I'm wondering - why do you feel that the private sector's not that worthwhile? I would have thought that there would be a greater range of opportunities for you there than in the military. After all, while there's only one SAF, there are many private companies out there who'll hire someone with your qualifications.

The bottom line is pretty simple, really: join the military only because you like the environment there and not because of the money. I agree that the SAF pays well, but I've seen many a regular regretting that they signed on after they got disillusioned with the thought of being a soldier all their life.

Not that I'm saying the SAF is totally bad, and neither am I saying that every person who signs on will regret it. It's just that you need to carefully examine your reasons for signing on before actually doing so.

Care to give more details on all this?

Gordonator SG

SAF only recruits PES A and B regulars for most vocations.

and please understand that not all regulars gets to serve to the age of 55. they won't ofter u such a long contract at the beginning.

so if u didn't get offered a 2nd contract, you will need to find a job in the outside world. and most company don't count your time in army as work experience. and by that time u will already be in your 30s and you will face competitions from younger poly graduates.

and even if u manages to get a job, u must be prepared to take the fact u won't be getting that high a salary as in the army.

LazerLordz SG

This is the most important thing to remember when you consider joining up.

And please, I've seen soldiers joining up for the money, without a real passion for soldiering, and you will regret exchanging 10 years of your youth if you never liked the climate of the Army in the first place.

Think hard. It's not a decision you should make purely by asking around on the Internet. Talk to your friends, people who are in regular service, the career counsellors at CMPB, other ppl in the Comp. Engg line..

RaTtY8l SG

have u served ns or u jus grad from poly?

BrUtUs SG

as a com engineering dip grad, its actually a good cert to hold n probably can get gov sector if u get good grades... or maybe u might wan to get a degree first? join arm forces most probably can go into support or at most combat support(MP)...

kuekj SG

Was thinking if he could be signed to be a DXO..

BrUtUs SG

u regular liao meh?

ditzy SG

Do you want a renumeration with follows a fixed structure or one that commensurates with performance? Laughing

kwlee SG

yea he is , an officer.

Puutan SG

besides the private sector the government sector offers a variety of jobs too.

Of course, but maybe i haven't come across a job which somehow appeals to my interest.

I haven't been to NS yet, and i'm looking forward to it for various reasons.

I don't know, i think i really need a break from academic life. Besides, i might want to go to work soon to have enough money to go to university.

Maybe i've been too biased against the private sector. I have the impression that the private sector is mostly all about money and the pursuit of it.

Besides, sometimes it gets boring just to stay in the office and doing paperwork, software programming and desk-based jobs.

and please understand that not all regulars gets to serve to the age of 55. they won't ofter u such a long contract at the beginning.

so if u didn't get offered a 2nd contract, you will need to find a job in the outside world. and most company don't count your time in army as work experience. and by that time u will already be in your 30s and you will face competitions from younger poly graduates.

and even if u manages to get a job, u must be prepared to take the fact u won't be getting that high a salary as in the army.

I have heard of even officers in the army being retired at ages from 40 to 45, and yes i know that the private sector doesn't pay as much as in the army.

have u served ns or u jus grad from poly?

Just graduated.

No i didn't get good grades for my computer engineering diploma.

Gordonator SG

i strongly suggest u go for BMT 1st and understand the 'system' and get a taste of the regimental lifestyle before making a decision.

this is 10 years of your youth we are taling about here. there is no place for regret should u have a change of mind. do think about it carefully. good luck. all the best.

Ah Cek SG

agreed.

since PES C, DXO is more suitable. can work till 62.

Uniformed officer work till only 45 years old nia.

For Specialist, a 10 year contract subject to renewal.

wuming78 SG

Originally posted by Puutan:

Of course, but maybe i haven't come across a job which somehow appeals to my interest.

I haven't been to NS yet, and i'm looking forward to it for various reasons.

Maybe i've been too biased against the private sector. I have the impression that the private sector is mostly all about money and the pursuit of it.

Besides, sometimes it gets boring just to stay in the office and doing paperwork, software programming and desk-based jobs.

i shared the same sentiments as you, that working in the private sector is quite meaningless. but of course, it is not entirely true, as there are other pursuits in the private / non-governmental sector that can be rather meaningful too, e.g. working in VWOs.

and same as you, i decided that a purely desk-bound job is not my cup of tea. so that ruled out most of the rest of the government sector jobs for me.

but i guess luckily for me i am able to adapt to the military environment too. so i chose to sign on.

but not everyone who share with us the same notions about private sector jobs and desk-bound work can take a military job. that is the part which i (and most others here) think you should find out first before signing on, unless you have had prior similar experiences, or have through other means found out exactly what it is like and find it to your liking.

for all the SAF and NS bashing we hear day in day out, trust me - if you are really passionate about soldiering, it can be a very meaningful, rewarding and challenging career.