Hey guys.
I'm 17 this year and currently retaking my "O" levels. As the examination is drawing towards an end, I am certain that together with my past year results, the points I'll probably get (20-23) would not get me anywhere I want. Although its possible to land me in poly, there really isn't any course in that range that I want, and I would not like to waste my time & money registering for one that I have no interest in.
My question would be, firstly, is it advisable for me to opt for VEES, so as to not waste any further time? I'm sure that is the path I want although I've seen many advise against it.
What can I expect from it? Will I get thrown together with those "trouble makers" because I only have a "O" level cert? Is it possible for me to get into SPF/SCDF or Navy/Airforce, or will I get stuck in SAF (No offence intended).
And if I do get stuck in SAF, are there chances of me being promoted? I want to do well in my 2 years and don't intend to "keng" through it. But I'm afraid my qualifcation/age or "bunk-mates" will restrict me. What does vocation & promotion actually based on? (I know your PES affects, but does fitness, qualifcation does too?)
Should I just go ahead with my studies just so I can have a better life and prospect in NS? (Only NS wise, I'm confident of my future, so I'm not worried academically)
I've read through many post, but that are still many things I want to know. I apologize if my question have already been asked before or for my incorrect use of terms (New to this).
Many thanks!
NS is always a good experience. If you really opt for early enlistment, there are still alot of possibilities as to where you'll end up in. Most likely your BMT will not be in Tekong. And speaking of promotion it depends on your IPPT and SOC; silver and pass respectively.
To me I think it's an advantage(study wise) if you go in earlier. Since you're only 17, by the time you're 'free', you'll only be 19/20. From here you can have choices like either work or going back to studies. If you go in after your poly, then you'll be 22/23(17+3[poly]+2[ns]).
Take time to plan if you'll be studying after you ORD. If not, it's better to study first. There's a whole lot difference when you go in with O-level and diploma.
waaa.... think so far ahead already.....
if u want to go anywhere...at age 20,setup own company.....at age 30 ,u become millionaire....at age 40, u own a mercedes and a castle in germany.
just remember to go look up at the best places on this planet to learn.its lucky u have the internet as compared to the days of typewriters and books.
dont werry bout points.....the polytechnics let in too many foreigners to study who simply treat singapore as just another bus stop.in fact the polytechnics should pay you to study even since u are in NS and reservist!
waaa.... think so far ahead already.....
if u want to go anywhere...at age 20,setup own company.....at age 30 ,u become millionaire....at age 40, u own a mercedes and a castle in germany.
just remember to go look up at the best places on this planet to learn.its lucky u have the internet as compared to the days of typewriters and books.
dont werry bout points.....the polytechnics let in too many foreigners to study who simply treat singapore as just another bus stop.in fact the polytechnics should pay you to study even since u are in NS and reservist!
so what kinda course do u want to take?quantum physics?applied mechanics?aircraft design?futuristic high tech design and fabrication?
what do u want to do with stuff u learnt?build a nuclear generator?build a droid army?build a futuristic car?build your own aircraft carrier?build your own jet engine?build machineguns?build your own company?become a cleaner or fitter?
all these u can choose if u go to the respective courses in any polytechnic.
ns???its only 2 years now!!!it will be like 1 year 9 mths after they finish training u in basic military training.
as everyone there would be A level or poly.........chances are great u end up as a cook or in a vocation equal to that status based on your years of not extremely useful education.
however if u were to say study overseas as a doctor,,,u would probably come back as an officer upon completion of basic military training.and if u know how to play musical instruments like a trumpet or saxaphone,,,,u might get posted to some military band where u get a high rank in just a few short years.
but if u got o level....no medical degree...cant blow trumpet or saxaphone.....u might get sent stirring some soup pot with mr. ah beng who never bathes or never brushes his teeth for at least half a year.
Originally posted by Hitman2:ns???its only 2 years now!!!it will be like 1 year 9 mths after they finish training u in basic military training.
as everyone there would be A level or poly.........chances are great u end up as a cook or in a vocation equal to that status based on your years of not extremely useful education.
however if u were to say study overseas as a doctor,,,u would probably come back as an officer upon completion of basic military training.and if u know how to play musical instruments like a trumpet or saxaphone,,,,u might get posted to some military band where u get a high rank in just a few short years.
but if u got o level....no medical degree...cant blow trumpet or saxaphone.....u might get sent stirring some soup pot with mr. ah beng who never bathes or never brushes his teeth for at least half a year.
There is no more cook vocation except for navy and even that is quite rare to get.
SAF, SPF or SCDF depends on ur luck.
With only a O's cert, its almost confirm mono intake into combat unit with no chance of command sch. U will be together with most of the ITE, poly dropouts etc etc and promotions is base on IPPT and performance to a max limit of CFC.
If u do intend to continue ur studies, i would advice u go study 1st before NS as its harder to start studying again after NS. However if u intend to go work etc after NS then there is no difference.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey guys.
I'm 17 this year and currently retaking my "O" levels. As the examination is drawing towards an end, I am certain that together with my past year results, the points I'll probably get (20-23) would not get me anywhere I want. Although its possible to land me in poly, there really isn't any course in that range that I want, and I would not like to waste my time & money registering for one that I have no interest in.
My question would be, firstly, is it advisable for me to opt for VEES, so as to not waste any further time? I'm sure that is the path I want although I've seen many advise against it.
What can I expect from it? Will I get thrown together with those "trouble makers" because I only have a "O" level cert? Is it possible for me to get into SPF/SCDF or Navy/Airforce, or will I get stuck in SAF (No offence intended).
And if I do get stuck in SAF, are there chances of me being promoted? I want to do well in my 2 years and don't intend to "keng" through it. But I'm afraid my qualifcation/age or "bunk-mates" will restrict me. What does vocation & promotion actually based on? (I know your PES affects, but does fitness, qualifcation does too?)
Should I just go ahead with my studies just so I can have a better life and prospect in NS? (Only NS wise, I'm confident of my future, so I'm not worried academically)
I've read through many post, but that are still many things I want to know. I apologize if my question have already been asked before or for my incorrect use of terms (New to this).
Many thanks!
20 - 23 points there is still many poly courses you take, keep your option and mind open. it is a fact that if u not smart enough, even if you get into the course you are going to struggle like mad, and even if you get the poly cert, you may end up struggling in your future job. go ITE or poly..
VESS for the BTC. Trouble Makers <-- aren't you one of them?
99% chance infantry, SIR mono-intake unit, rifle man for VESS
SAF chances of getting promoted depends on individual, cert, IPPT counts, your boss counts.
I got friend who go on and sign on as a Guardsman MAN after his N/Olevel? Dammed stupid and he regret like mad. Because he is being trapped as a LCPL man. If he ORD, even he go and be a sales assistant at NUM, he can earn more, and more freedom. Do even get a chance to hang out with him now as he always get trap in the camp.
If you can study first. If you are saddist to yourself and like being tekan, then VESS loh.
But who know, you may be a Pes C or E fellow ended up as a clerk!? .
@ loki_chaos & dkcx
Thanks for taking the time to answer. Appreciate it.
@ Hitman2
I appreciate your help on the polytechnic part, but I'm not looking for advice on that. I know well after sitting the papers and can roughly gauge my mark range. From there, I've actually looked at the 2009 COP of poly already and gave it a hard thought before deciding that none of them are suited for me (Including the ones you've listed out, most of which belongs to engineering).
But just because they are not suited for me, I'm not stupid enough to throw my future away just like that. I know what I am & will be doing. I believe that there is no one better than myself to make the decisions that affect my own life.
Putting that aside, I'm more concern about my NS life. 1 year & 10 months/ 2 years is actually quite a long time for me. And because of that, I do not wish to spend my time there hating and cursing life in NS. I do want to make full use of my NS to get fitter, wiser and everything else.
@ Lokey
I do believe that I'm smart enough to excel. I hope I'm not sounding too proud or being too cocky, but I know the reason why I did badly for my "O" levels was only because I was lazy, academically. To simply put it, I'm more of a hands-on person.
I appreciate your concern for my future, but I'm sure no one would be stupid enough to screw up their life, and neither will I.
As for the NS part, what is the "VESS for BTC" you are referring to? I'm quite new to all these NS terms, but are you referring to VEES (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme)? Cause if not, I think you've mistaken me.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey guys.
I'm 17 this year and currently retaking my "O" levels. As the examination is drawing towards an end, I am certain that together with my past year results, the points I'll probably get (20-23) would not get me anywhere I want. Although its possible to land me in poly, there really isn't any course in that range that I want, and I would not like to waste my time & money registering for one that I have no interest in.
My question would be, firstly, is it advisable for me to opt for VEES, so as to not waste any further time? I'm sure that is the path I want although I've seen many advise against it.
What can I expect from it? Will I get thrown together with those "trouble makers" because I only have a "O" level cert? Is it possible for me to get into SPF/SCDF or Navy/Airforce, or will I get stuck in SAF (No offence intended).
And if I do get stuck in SAF, are there chances of me being promoted? I want to do well in my 2 years and don't intend to "keng" through it. But I'm afraid my qualifcation/age or "bunk-mates" will restrict me. What does vocation & promotion actually based on? (I know your PES affects, but does fitness, qualifcation does too?)
Should I just go ahead with my studies just so I can have a better life and prospect in NS? (Only NS wise, I'm confident of my future, so I'm not worried academically)
I've read through many post, but that are still many things I want to know. I apologize if my question have already been asked before or for my incorrect use of terms (New to this).
Many thanks!
Hi Liter,
I will suggest that you continue your studies first, if you do not wish to end in a mono-intake unit. If you really think that the courses in local polytechnics are not for you, you may want to consider taking up private diploma/courses instead.
Your qualifications will not affect what vocation you will end up in, though it will affect your chances of getting into Command School. As for your fitness, unless you have a medical history of serious heat injuries and such, otherwise it will not affect your vocation if there is no change to your PES status.
Cheers.
Originally posted by TrueHeart:Hi Liter,
I will suggest that you continue your studies first, if you do not wish to end in a mono-intake unit. If you really think that the courses in local polytechnics are not for you, you may want to consider taking up private diploma/courses instead.
Your qualifications will not affect what vocation you will end up in, though it will affect your chances of getting into Command School. As for your fitness, unless you have a medical history of serious heat injuries and such, otherwise it will not affect your vocation if there is no change to your PES status.
Cheers.
Hi Trueheart
you always start with a hi and ends with cheers hahaha. seldom see forumers so consistent with their posting. btw your avatar looks lovely.
cheers.
Originally posted by TrueHeart:Hi Liter,
I will suggest that you continue your studies first, if you do not wish to end in a mono-intake unit. If you really think that the courses in local polytechnics are not for you, you may want to consider taking up private diploma/courses instead.
Your qualifications will not affect what vocation you will end up in, though it will affect your chances of getting into Command School. As for your fitness, unless you have a medical history of serious heat injuries and such, otherwise it will not affect your vocation if there is no change to your PES status.
Cheers.
Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?
Thanks.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?
Thanks.
Monointake is always into the combat units = infantry, armour, engineer, artillery, guards etc
Besides commandos and NDU, i don't think anyone else likes to kanna mono intake or join a mono intake coy.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hmm, is mono-intake unit good or bad? I know that I'll probably get stuck with that unit for my whole NS life, but what kind of vocation will I get posted to?
Thanks.
Hi Liter,
Mono-intake is not necessary a bad thing, but most will agree that the training there is tougher, the commanders are much more vulgar, and you will have to be able to collaborate together with people from all sorts of background.
As for the vocation, it will depend on which mono-intake unit you got posted to.
Cheers.
Originally posted by LiteR:@ loki_chaos & dkcx
Thanks for taking the time to answer. Appreciate it.
@ Hitman2
I appreciate your help on the polytechnic part, but I'm not looking for advice on that. I know well after sitting the papers and can roughly gauge my mark range. From there, I've actually looked at the 2009 COP of poly already and gave it a hard thought before deciding that none of them are suited for me (Including the ones you've listed out, most of which belongs to engineering).
But just because they are not suited for me, I'm not stupid enough to throw my future away just like that. I know what I am & will be doing. I believe that there is no one better than myself to make the decisions that affect my own life.
Putting that aside, I'm more concern about my NS life. 1 year & 10 months/ 2 years is actually quite a long time for me. And because of that, I do not wish to spend my time there hating and cursing life in NS. I do want to make full use of my NS to get fitter, wiser and everything else.
@ Lokey
I do believe that I'm smart enough to excel. I hope I'm not sounding too proud or being too cocky, but I know the reason why I did badly for my "O" levels was only because I was lazy, academically. To simply put it, I'm more of a hands-on person.
I appreciate your concern for my future, but I'm sure no one would be stupid enough to screw up their life, and neither will I.
As for the NS part, what is the "VESS for BTC" you are referring to? I'm quite new to all these NS terms, but are you referring to VEES (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme)? Cause if not, I think you've mistaken me.
VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.
But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.
It really came down to personality, they are those carefree, happy-go-lucky people. Infantry man is not that bad, sleep in the bunk most of the time and sweat once in while. My friends have all become white and fat after they ORD. While the officer rush from HQ to office and need to clear all the admin, logistic and planning. The men just have to wait in the bunk for instruction and follow the instructions.
Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).
Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.
Originally posted by Lokey:VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.
But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.
It really came down to personality, they are those carefree, happy-go-lucky people. Infantry man is not that bad, sleep in the bunk most of the time and sweat once in while. My friends have all become white and fat after they ORD. While the officer rush from HQ to office and need to clear all the admin, logistic and planning. The men just have to wait in the bunk for instruction and follow the instructions.
Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).
Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.
You should believe him, treating his men well could be true but his definition of well and our definition could be different :p
Giving them extra PT etc could be treating them well as its to improve their fitness. Tekanning them could be treating them well to make them more resilent grow stronger etc etc :p
Being a men isn't really a bad thing. I was from poly and got enlisted into tekong bmtc, then opted no to command sch and i landed in armour camp as a AI trooper. I still remember the very first day i reached the gate and i thought to myself " this is it, im gonna get screwed Q@#$*#@#% "
that was more than a year ago, life isnt that bad as a combatant in a active unit. like what lokey mentioned, most of the time men jus slack in bunk, playing psp / slping / watchin dvd. Of coz there r PT , sai kang and etc. but how long can they take? 1hr? 2hr? after those shits is back to slacking again. and before you know it , you're about to turn civilian again !
Originally posted by Lokey:VESS (Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme) is for people who cannot study.
But... there are several of my friends who went in VESS, ended up as infantry man, and ORD and now in the poly.
It really came down to personality, they are those carefree, happy-go-lucky people. Infantry man is not that bad, sleep in the bunk most of the time and sweat once in while. My friends have all become white and fat after they ORD. While the officer rush from HQ to office and need to clear all the admin, logistic and planning. The men just have to wait in the bunk for instruction and follow the instructions.
Actually training is not that tough. The vocation is tough compare to the rest. And how well you are treated depends on the bosses (which is individual).
Another friend of mine who is a sign on regular always insists that he treat his mon-intake men really well ... But I never believe him. lol.
I thought its VEES and not VESS =X
Originally posted by walsly:Being a men isn't really a bad thing. I was from poly and got enlisted into tekong bmtc, then opted no to command sch and i landed in armour camp as a AI trooper. I still remember the very first day i reached the gate and i thought to myself " this is it, im gonna get screwed Q@#$*#@#% "
that was more than a year ago, life isnt that bad as a combatant in a active unit. like what lokey mentioned, most of the time men jus slack in bunk, playing psp / slping / watchin dvd. Of coz there r PT , sai kang and etc. but how long can they take? 1hr? 2hr? after those shits is back to slacking again. and before you know it , you're about to turn civilian again !
Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
There is noone who will know what the ppl u will meet be like. Diff ppl have diff experience, some good some bad. Very often it depends on ur own attitude that affects how others treat you.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
My platoonmates ? luckily my platoon is the most civilised in the whole company. Almost 90% of us are from tekong , only a 4 is from mono intake. Most of us are the tuck-chek-kia ( study freak )waiting for our uni upon ORD . But all of us get along well with the mono guys, even the most "fierce" paikia is in my platoon and he plays UNO with us LOL.
TS, there are bound to be sabo-ers / troublemakers wherever you go. It comes down to your own attitude, how do you view them. I get along well with almost everyone in my company, i even went sheesha / drinking sessions with those "troublemakers". As long u aren't a total douchebag, nobody will ka jiao you. Of course there are some cb face wanting to find trouble with you, just don't be scared and ask them WTF he wants. They wouldn't dare to beat you up, if they do its straightaway go DB and jiak hong for them. Which is why most ppl will avoid fighting other than some extreme cases lol.
Most importantly, if you ever landed up being with the mono intake guys, don't detest them. Learn to accomodate and get along with them. Afterall theyre the ones chionging with you till the day u guys ORD and ROD.
Originally posted by LiteR: Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
No matter where you might go, may it be in school, in the workplace, in BMTC or in the combat unit, there will be 'good' people and there will be 'bad' people.
But regardless of family background or education level, every human being will respond well to you if you treat them with friendliness, kindness and respect.
So yes, keep an open mind. If you treat your platoonmates well and don't backstab or sabo them then they will treat you well as well. Meeting the occasional bastard is inevitable, but when the time comes I think you will know what to do.
Originally posted by dkcx:You should believe him, treating his men well could be true but his definition of well and our definition could be different :p
Giving them extra PT etc could be treating them well as its to improve their fitness. Tekanning them could be treating them well to make them more resilent grow stronger etc etc :p
LOL. My friend is a marathon, triathlon athlete. When he say, lets go for a light run, he meant a 21 km in less than 1 h 45 mins., when he say let go for a swim, that is about 1.5 km of free style. He can run at least twice a day with varying distances and speed, having more than 2 PT sessions in a day.
If you are a man in his unit, I am sure you will be tanned, muscular and super fit. But he understand what is sports injury so he know RICE therapy. He understand the rest needed for sport injury and time taken to recover.
Can you imagine after a short warm up light 10 km run, and still have to 100 push up, 200 sit up and plus plus..., everyday ?
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
we dontknow... but i can tell u..u will meet all kind/type of people .
n sometimes u need to change abit to mix in the group. this is important !
and of cos if u really have any problems...look for your csm/PC or whoever u are comfortable with..they will help..
Unless u are a troublemaker urself then... hmm.
Originally posted by LiteR:Hey thanks!
So how are the people there, specifically your mates? Are they sabo-ers/troubler makers? Or am I just stereotyping/being too paranoid.
actually you meet all kinds of people in the army.. backstabbers, hypocrites, malingers, ah bengs and all...
note that there are nice people in there too.
all in all, just be grateful you're around so many kinds of ppl cos they enrich ur life experience.. heh