What are the conditions of being enlisted in a mono-intake
then?
Frankly, it's a trade secret; the only such hint I've ever come
across was from an old NS primer. (You should receive such
handbooks & pamphlets before enlistment). It says: "The SAF
matches servicemen with vocations according to its organizational
needs. The following points are considered in the designating of
vocations: (a) educational qualifications; (b) working experience;
(c) physical characteristics; (d) physical fitness; (e) the SAF's
organizational needs; & (f) unit commander's
recommendations."
I usually regurgitate these whenever people ask me how the army
vocations are assigned, since they make general sense: (a) is
self-explanatory since sophisticated equipment may require certain
aptitude; (b) is why some civilian-trained enlistees get arrowed to
so-&-so technical vocations; (c) is the basis of the PES
classification which is based on the British Pulheems system (look
it up); (d) is related to NAPFA scores & combat fitness &
any obesity issues; (e) is all about replacing the ORD-ing old
birds; & (f) is the DIs' & peers' evaluation of a recruit's
BMT performance itself.
The popular story is that every category except (f) is assigned a
number for quick computer-generating of vocational deployment. I
dunno if that's true. But the recent Commando Dunking Trial
revealed that each vocation/course has its own FFI (Fit For
Instruction) criteria to be medically checked against &
cleared, as an additional step.
Unlike their Tekong counterparts, mono-intakers are basically
assigned vocations before doing BMT. Of course, some of them won't
be retained on after recruit training; those who're posted out
usually land in service vocations (my understanding).
From what I gather, it's basically people with lower-educational
qualifications aye?
Generally, yes, but it's also no longer the PSLE stereotype you
seem to have in mind. There's still a few such dropouts, but IMO
they tend to surface more with the SCDF now (usually Malays who
switched to madrasahs from young). Today's mono-intakers tend to be
of ITE/NTC-2, 'N' Levels & some 'O' Levels ilk, & of course
their dropouts.
FWIW The mono-intake batch I taught in 1988 had a very interesting
mix; the gunner recruits included a tycoon's son (who helped
finance the POP function), some fledging business owners (not just
copywatch touters, mind you), a couple of secret society pai kia's
(as the DI's were discreetly advised), a 17-year-old volunteer
enlistee (cuz he had nothing better to do) &, with another
battery, a father-to-be.
Put it this way I - Historically, the serviceman status is equal
for those allocated to the various SAF mono-intakes
and the SPF and the SCDF
and the former SBMT in Nee Soon Camp (now
supposedly BMTC School 2). Only the service-earmarked SBMT trainees
wouldn't be combat-fit graded as the others. All other enlistees
head for Tekong - formerly known as Infantry Training Depot (ITD) -
where they compete for a chance to become junior commanders &,
failing to do so, get assigned a more sophisticated combat post
like signaller or pioneer or gunnery assistant, etc.
Put it this way II - Who is more prestigious: a mono-intake LCP who
wears the Khaki beret & the Guards Tab, or a
Tekong-grad/signals-trained CPL who serves as a runner-cum-coffee
boy with a Brigade unit?
Also you were mentioning they'd be doing reservist for 13years,
is that the same as non-mono intake batches?
The combat-arms outfits do reservist together - that's why they
changed the name to Operational-Ready NSmen. The Training-Wing
& Formation-School NSFs will rejoin these frontline units too
after ORD, & often have to earn respect from scratch. Not sure
about the combat-support units (supply, transport, medical,
engineering, maintainence, etc.) but I don't think so - it's likely
their NSmen would be placed on a "holding list". Speaking of which,
there's no reservist MP's or PTI's either; they all revert back to
infantry after ORD. The PDF has a number of operational second-line
units that has no direct roots to NSF counterparts; it's likely
many such "auxiliary" troops will get sent there & be
re-trained.
Any way to do some clarifications with the appropriate
government branch?
IMO You can manipulate the SAF system but not in this stage. Try
your luck:
http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/listing_expand.asp?agency_subtype=dept&agency_id=0000000390
Also, why are some guys enlisted when they're 16, is it their
choice?
You can choose to enlist earlier, provided you pass the medical
& physical tests. Never come across anyone as young as 16,
though. 17-year-old, yes.
