at: blog

(Sunday, January 01, 2006-)
+3:19 PM]*

# NS time!-

hey happy new year ppl! for the guys, it's time to be a man! ok don't make it sound so extreme... anyways i have some useful information gathered here for your reference on NS, including things to bring, training info n some tips you should keep in mind.(pls note i din write all of this. got them from some forum, but not the miw forum)

also guys pls try to go online tonight so that we can discuss when to go to beach road to do shopping. we don't have much time, some of you are enlisting on thurs.

as for the girls, those who want to see the guys enlist pls contact them directly to see if they have enough tickets for you all. as far as i know aloytan shiwei n me r all enlisting on 7th jan saturday 2.30pm, so maybe you'd like to get tix from us.

Necesscary items

pls also refer to the blue list given to you by mindef, as it includes items that are issued to you that you need not bring.

Hangers and pegs
Alarm clock
Permanent black marker pen (important)
writing pen
Small lock with keys
Washing powder and brush (for washing clothes)
underwear (7 is more than enough)
Solid soap, shampoo, facial foam
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Plastic ziplock bags (for packing clothing)
Swimming goggle
Spare pair of glasses for those short-sighted
Pain relieving spray (trust me, you will need it)
Small First Aid kit with panadol, stomach-ache pills, medication oil, bandages etc
black tape(you need plenty of it)
garters(one or two more)
pt shirt(4)
pt shorts(4)
pt vest(4)

you might want to buy extra of some items issued to you as they might need more. this includes garters which are easily lost, pt training vest which you might need one or two more, etc etc... i'll update here if i get any new info.

Optional items
Small radio
Coins for buying drinks at vending machines
rubber watch
books (but i doubt u will have time to read, you are better off resting)
stationeries like pen, penknife and scissor

other misc items like toilet paper, slippers, towel etc will be issued to you

program for first day

1st day, take fastcraft to tekong, enjoy the nice sea view. upon reaching proceed to waiting area to surrender your IC. your 11B, ID tag will be given to u. then go into auditorium. the BMTC commander will come out brief u all followed by oath taking. after that have lunch with your family at the cook house.

after lunch say goodbye to your family, after the parents have left. fall in march to company line, all your barang barang will be issued to u. check through all the stores. carry all of them to your bunk. try out your uniform, jocky cap, boots everything, too big too small sound out to your sergeant and a change will be made.

after settling down, get all your stuff into the cupboard, fall in in admin attire and go for haircut.

followed by admin work later, like filling up the blue booklet, more misc items like toliet paper, notebook and pen will be issued.

before u know it, dinner liao

Training format

OLD BMT: 6 weeks PTP, 10 weeks BMT.

NEW BMT: 4 Weeks PTP, 9 weeks BMT. (with effect from Dec 2004 for PES A/B, PES C recruits still retain their syllabus)

No more, interval training, circuit training.

New... Combat PT, Ability Group Runs, 30:60 and strength training.

Environmental changes: The training program now is packed than the past because a 16 week syllabus is squeezed into 13. So much so that BMT stuff are taught during your PTP phase. So during the PTP phase, you will learn partially technical handling with some companies conducting the tests during PTP.

There will be no more parent visiting day and it is instead replaced by thurs to staurday enlistment and a guaranteed friday book out 2 weeks later.

However, if during your PTP/BMT there are any public holidays, chances are that you may burn an additional weekend during the fieldcamp week. Meaning you book in on Monday and book out the 2nd saturday.

Less emphasis is placed on SOC, with only 1-2 full run downs scheduled.

Gym training is now own time own target.

Due to the Combat PT syllabus, physical training now tend to be draggy. you usually start like at 0730 hrs, and it finishes around 1030hrs. very boring.

Things taught in PTP and BMT

- PTP ( 1 month )
for those who fails to obtain a silver for your NAFA/IPPT before enlistment, you will need to go for Physical Training Phase (PTP) before your BMT. u will be trained in physical exercise everyday which includes running, circuit training, gym and swimming (for those who can't swim) etc. during this period u will also be taught simple foot drills and undergo some short distance route march.

- BMT ( 2 months )
the highlights of BMT includes,
Foot drills and rifle drills
Weapon handling (M16)
Standard Obstacle Course (SOC)
Individual Marksmanship Training (IMT) (think of it as a arcade game)
Range (shoots with live rounds)
Indivividual Fieldcraft (7 days field camp in the jungle of tekong)
Grenade Throw
SIT-test (test of your leadership skills)
Route marches (a few 8km plus a 16km and 24km at the end of BMT)
Basic Close Combat Training (BCCT)

Tips

The number 4 uniform(the camo uniform) is worn with the shirt tucked out.
Countless recruits have given instructors a laugh of their time the first time they wear the uniform.

The opposite goes for your admin attire. Tuck it in if you do not wish to find yourself doing push-ups on the ground.

Sometimes you find yourself doing punishment for the smallest mistake (or so you thought). You instructor is covering your ass by punishing you in public. Don't believe it when they say all instructors are (insert own expletive).

... while other times, you still find yourself doing punishment for the smallest mistake in private. Don't worry, it is all in the training plan. It isn't anything personal. Your Orientation Officer will ensure that.

Everybody was a recruit once. Your instructor would no doubt have stories of his own cock-ups. Milk them for it, and make your BMT seem more tolerable

Some useful things to take note:

Facial wipes are good for removing camouflage cream from your face, especially during the rush before book-out after field camp.

Missing your scheduled bus at Pasir Ris is not a huge matter: just make sure that you catch the next one scheduled for the next company. There will be some mixing of companies at SFT, enough to smoke out the fact that you were late. Heck, even instructors don't care, as long as you get back there in reasonable time.

Help your platoon mates, even if you aren't aiming for a place in command school(OCS): You never know when you would need their help.

For those aiming for command school: it is important that you come across as sincere, otherwise all your fruits would come to nought when your platoon mates vote you down in Survivor.

For those NOT aiming for command schools: please still come across as sincere, even if you hate some particular person. I learnt it the hard way. And try not to back stab if you can help it (to those who love to play politics). It is too bloody obvious to the rest when you do that, and you will find yourself in for a huge set-up soon enough. Not to mention countless blanket-parties.

learn to iron your clothes!

that's all. i'll update this entry whenever i get new info. feel free to post any qns you have, even though you must rmb even I have not gone through ns yet so i cannot be too certain on some issues. if anyone has anything to add feel free to edit this entry. happy new year people!

zp

additionally, here is an faq on sispec, ocs and bmt respectively
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=98006
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=62698
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=137692

the story ends like this;
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