a career in the SAF for females?

hotchilli SG

Hi everyone,

I'm contemplating signing on with the SAF (army) since I completed my degree (overseas uni) last month. But a few of my guy friends who were NSF or currently serving strongly advised me against it. One of them reckons it's pointless for a girl to join as she will be discriminated against and because of her gender she won't go far. What is your take on this?

It sounds almost too old-fashioned to think that way, and there is just so much cynism coming from our NSF. When I asked him if it was just the NSF who feel this way, he said there are regulars who also hate their jobs in the army. I am greatly interested in the military and this is a great opportunity for me to serve my country. My friend said there's a female regular in his camp who said the same thing (she wants to serve her country) and he just doesn't believe/understand her. Is there anyone here who signed on because they are interested in the job or because you'll like to serve the country?

I know that at the end of the day I make my own decisions, but I'll really like to hear from what you guys have to say. Because I've been reading your posts for a while and I really admire your maturity. It's a fresh break from the "singapore sux", SAF-bashing, unconstructive comments that I usually hear. hopefully I'll be able to get some insight from everyone reading this thread.

yuppy4life SG

Good for u. What department are you intending to go? Combat, non-combat?

Agreed that army personnals can get a little sexist at times. But in general, using ur degree, u probably will become a female officer. Officers are generally, well mannered compared to the normal soldiers.

I knew a female combat officer during my NSF days. She super garang, well respected and even have a diver's badget. Put a lot of men to shame. I think she will go far, all the superiors liked her and respected her.

SAF is a career stable career, but if u want to go far, quite difficult.

Lastly, please don't think SAF as a weight-loss program.

Good luck

flash9933 SG

I believe there are many ways to serve the country rather than to sign on. I'm not biased against females signing on as a non-combat or combat vocation. If you are planning to sign on in the combat vocation, you must prepare to spend your working hours exposed to our climate and working under a regimental controlled environment. You will be exposed to dirty equipment, dusty environment, uniform and undergarments soaked after rain, hot and humid weather, unable to shower during exercise, feeding to the mosquitoes and other insects (subjected to even hornets attack) and not forgetting the inconvenience of doing your business when you are out in field etc etc ...

cornyfish2000 SG

I believe our very own lady SAF officer (wocc) here in SAF forums can give you her take on ladies serving in the armed forces.. Wink

This is the link to the FAQ she created some time back for ladies thinking of signing on with the SAF, you might find it useful:

http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=71309

kopiosatu SG

most importantly is that you do what you enjoy doing.

i enjoy what i'm doing but management screws it up for us.

time to blast everthing in the next interview.

casshern SG

many of us have very shallow vision of our army. regular life is very different from NSF life and it's now wat you think.

check your PM. with your degree you dun need to even wear number 4!

kuekj SG

Perhaps you can apply for the DXO position. From what I heard from the DXO who is taking part in medic training with us, there's no 10-year contracts which those who sign on need to serve.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/dxo/

Prestroz SG

I strongly believe in differing perceptions... I've friends who signed on and really enjoy their job, conversely, I've also friends that signed on but lived in misery eversince... it's really important that you match your personality with the job... if you're a person which is highly disciplined, principle motivated, enjoys the outdoor and doesn't mind regimental lifestyle. Military maybe suitable for you... but if you're a freedom lover, hates authority and is highly laissez-faire, then you may want to re-consider...

Girls doesn't have experience of military like guys do... do aquire more information or go down to Army Recruitment Centre to speak to some female officers... hope that helps Very Happy

AF2005 SG

try first , six years contract.

SAF pays well. how far you want to go full col?

but first make sure fit to take the training.

you want combat, techinicals, or manpower or even logistics.

even outside ,alot of people also cannot go far, no need to talk about SAF.

it sjust like any carrer.

Gordonator SG

1st of all, it's a bad idea seeking advice from a NSF regarding pursuing a career in the SAF. afterall, the job scope and responsibities of a regular is different from a NSF. the average NSF mentality is that they are forced to do something they don't like, that's why they are always complaining. just because they don't like it doesn't mean that others don't like it. i suggest u think about carefully, get advice from another regular, call up the recruiter's hotline or if u are free, vist those army events to get an idea what's life inside the army is like, for instance the carnival at marina.

regarding the last sentence i highlighted in red about been discriminated and "won't go far", there is absolutely no truth in that. how far u want to go? becoming a general? realistically speaking, female might not make it to a general, but they are many female MAJs, quite a few LTCs and even a female COL in the SAF. how far u go depends on your own abilities not because of your sex.

follow your dreams, don't let others' point of views affect your decision, good luck.

hotchilli SG

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your opinions. Really appreciate your comments.The most important thing I think for now would be to evaluate myself and see if I really suit the job. I have given it serious thought and I guess all external factors (mud, no showers) are just part of the job, no doubt.

Maybe we'll see each other in uniform one day! Smile

casshern SG

yes gordon i really agree with you on your views. one shd not seek advice about signing on from NSF. well, not all but some. some NSF love the army, while some hate it. (rmb the thread on "is ns a waste of time?" ?)

you really have to love the army to enjoy it and different pple have different passions, you can't condemn an artist/dancer simply because they follow their passion. respect them cos they dare to step out of their comfort zone and disregard pple's perception of them.

same for regulars. more respect shd be given. why? cos some friggin nutbrain do not know that there are actually REAL soldiers who are willing to give their lives to fight for those nutbrain.

i told a female friend i signed on, she went hystical and was like "U MAD OR WAT?! SIAO AH?!" i ask her wat's wrong with signing on? i love my job! she was dumbfound and went "i don't know... sign on army? no good lar. i dun know but no good lor!"

shows how shallow pple really are.

anyway, ladies do fly as high as their male counterparts in the army. lotsa lady majors ard in my formation and some going on to LTC (i hope)

so if you are good enough, dun worry about such trival matters. the SAF will take good care of you.

AF2005 SG

just look at the number of cars driven by regular saf personels other ranks and officers, and you know their paid is solid and worth it.

car salesman are happy to see SAF, and teachers coming to view their cars.

not to mention condo sales.

casshern SG

haha... condo sales not exactly. actually meant for the higher ones in the organisation such as the LTCs or MAJs. trust me, the lower ones dun even smell the keys of condos unless their spouse are working and relatively better paid.