Common Adjustment Problems
1. Regimentation
As soldiers, you are expected to follow the rules & regulations
set by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and obey the instructions
& orders given by your superiors. Thus some of your may feel a
sudden lack of freedom to do what you want and you may find
yourself having difficulties submitting to authority. Some of you
may be disappointed with the way you are being treated as it may
not be what you expect or experienced in your civilian life.
2. Physical Demands
It may be a little more taxing for those of you who are less-fit as
you are required to go through physical training and attain an
acceptable level of fitness during National Service. Some of you
may feel anxious as a result of the fast pace and physical demands
during training.
3. Communal Living
You will have the opportunities to train, work and live with people
of different cultural, ethnic, educational and family backgrounds.
This new environment may overwhelm some of you who will experience
a lack of privacy. In your interactions with others, you may find
some people difficult to get along with.
4. Home Sickness
Living away from home and being separated from your loved ones may
create a sense of loss and loneliness in some of you. You may miss
the time spent with your family, the home-cooked food and the
comfort of your home. Some of you may feel miserable as you
constantly make comparison between civilian and military
life.
5. Financial Needs
Those of you who worked before enlistment will experience a sudden
drop in income as you are no longer drawing salary but allowance.
You may no longer be able to support your family financially,
instead you may need some financial assistance during National
Service.
6. Work Responsibilities
You will be given responsibilities that correspond with your
respective vocations. It may be stressful to meet the job
requirements as well as your superior's expectations. This may be
more so for those of you who have no working experience prior to
National Service.
