by Tommy Koh

Created on: November 29, 2009   Last Updated: November 30, 2009

Basic Military Training in Singapore through the eyes of a Full-Time National Serviceman.

The NS (Amendment) act was passed on 14 march 1967, as the Singapore Government found the need to build a substantial military force for deterrence purposes as aligned to many other militaries in the region.

Male Singaporean Citizens and permanent residents at 15 years of age are required to register for National Service and upon reaching 16.5 years, are to undergo a mandatory medical examination where their medical status are determined and of course vocation-ed based on the different level of combat fitness and readiness.

Basic Military Training (BMT) is a path where all Servicemen will have to go through, so that they could be trained in basic soldiering skills and also to attain the rank of Private before being deployed off into their operational units for further training.

For the determination of potential commanders and military leaders, recruits who have a higher education standard, eg. Junior College or Polytechnic Students, are trained separately from their peers who are less academically inclined. Such leadership potentials are transported to the Island of Pulau Tekong for Enhanced training where fit and clear minded individuals are selected for command purposes. As for the less academically inclined, they are trained on the main island within the Infantry or Guards Regiments through mono-intakes.

There are 6 different periods of training for recruits of differing education background, medical status and gender.

For those with higher education and good medical status, they go through a 9-weeks ENHANCED BMT, where leadership packages are included for identifying potential leaders for future grooming. For those who did not meet the physical test requirements before enlistment, an additional 4-weeks training is conducted before the enhanced phase. Also known as the Physical Training Phase (PTP) they go through tougher physical training curriculum to set them up to the fitness level of those who are going through the 9 weeks course.

For those who have lower medical statuses, a 7-week BMT is conducted for them with less physical activities and after which they will be posted to non-combat roles

For those who are obese, a 16-week Obese BMT is conducted for the purposes of helping them lose weight, get fit and also train them in soldiering skills.

As for the ladies, 2-weeks BMT for service vocations and 8-weeks BMT for combat vocations.

Now, enough of all the introduction

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