Pulau Tekong. The fabled place that almost every Singaporean boy enters when they turn 18 only to leave as battle-hardened men. Basic Military Training (BMT) at Pulau Tekong might well be the first time some guys are separated from their family for an extended period. Throw in the strict training and regimentation on top of having your hair shaved off (this was a big deal for me) and life on Tekong might seem pretty bleak.
But don’t worry, here are 5 essential tips that will help you get through your BMT – from someone who’s been through it and survived to write this.
Don’t be a wayang king – Know your limits
I understand that some recruits might have the ambition to make it to command school from the get-go. While it’s great to have a goal during your NS life, it is also important to listen to your body and train responsibly.
The army has come a long way in establishing its safety culture but it’s up to you to ensure you ORD in one piece. When I enlisted, I pushed myself hard to try and make it to the cadet course, ignoring constant backaches to the point that I was unable to stand after executing a leopard crawl during field camp. Needless to say, I didn’t get to live my dreams as a sergeant, winding up with a near slipped disc instead.
Tldr: Train hard but train safely. Show your commanders your ability by executing your drills well and looking out for your fellow platoon mates. Remember, no one likes a wayang king!
Get protected – More than your rifle
The army introduces you to all forms of protection. You’ll be issued body armour, learn how to shoot a SAR21 rifle and even learn basic self-defence techniques. One form of protection you shouldn’t sleep on though is the MINDEF Group Insurance Core Scheme provided by Singlife.
As an NSF, you’re automatically covered with S$300,000 each for Group Term Life and Group Personal Injury. These schemes will help to cover certain injuries that might befall you during your service. You can enhance your coverage even further with the Voluntary Scheme that covers you up to S$1 million from as little as S$0.17* a day. Pretty affordable even for a recruit, right?
The best part is that coverage under the Voluntary Scheme lasts beyond your ORD at one of the cheapest premium rates for both term life and personal accident insurance on the market.
Call your loved ones – Love on the line
I never thought I would miss my mother’s nagging voice but two weeks in confinement really proved me wrong. Time to overcome that Gen Z aversion to making phone calls and dial up your mum, dad or girlfriend to let them know you’re doing okay. Tell them about your training, ask them how they’re doing or even make plans for the weekend.
It’s these phone check-ins that really encourage both parties and remind you that there is a life waiting beyond the ferry terminal. I hope this tip helps those of you with girlfriends build a relationship that makes it past the two years of National Service 😉.
Stock up on snacks – Get that comfort food
After you clear the first two weeks of confinement, your commanders should ease up and allow you to bring some snacks into camp. Capitalise on this opportunity to bring in your favourite snacks because you’ll learn very quickly that the cookhouse food will leave you wanting more.
My personal picks are Hello Panda, Yan Yan biscuits and Oreos since they are sweet treats that won’t melt in the Tekong heat like chocolate. For the cup noodle fanatics, I would hold off on bringing your stash of Nissin as not every company line provides hot water. Oh, and if you’re worried about gaining weight from snacking, don’t! The rigorous training and 24km route march will burn all those calories straight off.
Buy two of everything – Better to be overprepared
When you first enlist, you’ll be handed a duffle bag with all your standard army essentials including your uniform, boots, ILBV and more. Apart from your uniform, admin kit and physical training attire, you’ll only get one set of everything else. I can bet there’s an 80% chance you’ll lose some of the smaller items, chief among them the pair of garters you’ll need to use to neaten your boot laces.
Save yourself the grief of a tekan session from your sergeants and buy extra sets of the following items:
- Garters
- Black tape (you can never have enough of this)
- First-aid dressing (recommend putting one in each pair of pants)
- Ear plugs (you’ll want to replace these if they get stained by camo paint)
- Pens (you need these to take notes sometimes)
As an added tip, you might want to switch to using liquid Kiwi polish for your boots since it’s easier to apply. Also try to get spray-on insect repellent as the gel one, although potent, might cause some serious skin reactions for those with sensitive skin.
You can get the above items at the e-marts located in SAFRA outlets around Singapore using your SAF credits or use cash to restock them at the army shops around Pasir Ris.
Make the most of your time in NS
BMT is but the first step in your two-year NS journey, and there are many ways to make the most of this time. Check out our other articles on how you can get a head start on your savings goals or cash in on your NS perks. It’s important to have the right mindset about your time in active service so you ORD with no regrets!
Notes
* Premium shown is for Group Personal Injury and is based on a monthly rate (rounding off to the nearest cent) for an Insured Person, aged 70 and below at the next birthday.
Disclaimer:
This policy is underwritten by Singapore Life Ltd.
This is published for general information only and does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. A copy of the Product Summary may be obtained from Singapore Life Ltd. and the participating distributors’ offices. You should read the Product Summary before deciding whether to purchase the product. You may wish to seek advice from a financial adviser representative before making a commitment to purchase the product. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser representative, you should consider whether the product in question is suitable for you.
Group Term Life
This policy has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely. This is not a contract of insurance. Full details of the standard terms and conditions of this policy can be found in the relevant certificate of insurance.
Group Personal Injury
This product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely.
The benefits of a personal accident policy will only be payable upon an accident occurring. Before replacing an existing personal accident policy with a new one, you should consider whether the switch is detrimental as there may be potential disadvantages with switching. A penalty may be imposed for early termination and the new policy may cost more or have fewer benefits at the same cost.
If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and Singlife may recover from you any expense incurred by us in underwriting the policy.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. These policies are protected under the Policy Owners' Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Singapore Life Ltd. or visit the Life Insurance Association or SDIC websites ( www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg). Information is accurate as at 06 June 2023.
