Hello everyone. seeing how the last thread on enlisting is now 19 pages long, i have decided to redo the PTP/BMT thread for all those people who are going for enlistment soon. hopefully you all will find it a lot easier looking for answers instead of browsing through all the 19 pages.

feel free to ask any question on everything BMT related.

Enlistment Dates for 2007
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_BMT/Enlistment_Dates.html

Graduation Dates for 2007
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_BMT/Graduation_Dates.html

below is a 20 minutes showcasing all u need to know about BMT life.
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/videos/docus/100days.html

those interested can check out this link below for the new BMT syllabus.
http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=149877

items issued in BMT

1x Duffel Bag (Black)
5x No.4 Uniform
4x PT Singlet
3x Admin T-SHirt
1x Kevlar Helmet
1x Jockey Cap
1x Swimming Trunks
1x PT shoes
2x Combat Boots
2x Green Towel
1x Kiwi Set
1x Sewing Kit
1x Fork and Spoon
5x No.4 Socks
2x PT Socks
1x Garters
2x AA Batteries
1x 7 piece Tolietries
1x LBV
1x Helmet Netting
1x Green Water Bottle
1x Field Pack
1x Toggle Rope
1x Multiple purpose knife
2x Mess Tin
1x Mess CUp
1x Ear Plug
1x No.4 Belt
1x Half finger Gloves
1x Black SLing Bag
1x Airforce Waterbottle

To start things off. below is a list of items recommended to bring for your enlistment.

Necesscary items
Hangers and pegs
Alarm clock
Permanent black marker pen (important)
Small lock with keys
Washing powder and brush (for washing clothes)
underwear (7 is more than enough)
Liquid 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
slippers

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
Dry food. preferably those that u can share with everyone else.

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

Ranks
ok now let me introduce to u all all the ranks you will see in the SAF.

Enlistees' ranks
Once Recruits complete their Basic Military Training, they attain the rank of Private. Enlisted personnel form the basic foundation of the Army's manpower. These ranks are worn on both sleeves. Shown here are the Lance Corporal and Corporal ranks. Privates and Recruits do not wear ranks on their sleeves.



Specialists' ranks

Promising enlistees with command potential will go to SISPEC (School of Infantry Specialists) for Specialist courses. They are expert soldiers who have undergone professional military training courses and are known as Specialists.

They progress from Third Sergeant (3SG) to Second Sergeant (2SG) to First Sergeant (1SG). If they prove themselves to be capable and responsible, they may even attain staff-level ranks, such as Staff Sergeant (SSG) or Master Sergeant (MSG).

Specialists usually serve as instructors or are put in charge of groups of men. They serve as the link between the Officers and the men, and are recognised as being a cut above the enlistees.

Warrant Officers' ranks

Warrant Officers are Specialists who have distinguished themselves with their dedication and professionalism. With more than 10 years of service, they are the most experienced personnel in the Army.

Because they are given Officer-type duties, their ranks are worn on the epaulettes. They have similar responsibilities and authority as Junior Officers.

You do not have to salute warrant officers and you may address them as 'encik'.

Junior Commission Officers' ranks

The Junior Officers wear bars on their epaulettes. Commanding platoons or companies of men, they oversee the execution of orders and ensure the welfare of the men under their command. They are most important in small-unit combat, and earn the respect of their men by leading by example. As exemplary soldiers, they bring their men into action with dedication and energy.

Junior Officers graduate from OCS with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant (2LT), and are promoted to Lieutenant (LTA) after they have had sufficient experience. They may later be moved to higher appointments and assume the rank of Captain (CPT).

You can salute Junior Commission Officers.

Senior Comission Officers' ranks

The Senior Officers wear the National Coat of Arms on their epaulettes, more affectionately known as 'crabs'. They make command decisions in combat and peacetime, taking charge of units or important branches. Senior Officers are crucial in the formulation and execution of missions, as well as overseeing the training and direction of their charges.

Commanding Officers begin their duties at the rank of Major (MAJ), and only the few who can distinguish themselves will attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). It is an even greater challenge and responsibility for a senior officer to attain the rank of Colonel (COL).

It is highly recommended you salute senior commission officers when you see one.

Generals' ranks

The people with the highest ranks in the Army are known as the Generals. The stars on their epaulettes reflect the enormous responsibilities on their shoulders. They are responsible for the planning of policies which affect the entire Army, including Command of Divisions.

Presently, the three levels of generalship are : Brigadier-Generals (BG), Major-Generals (MG) and Lieutenant-Generals (LG).

You must salute whenever you see a General.

OCTs' ranks

Promising enlistees with command potential will go to Officer Cadet School (OCS) for Officer Cadet courses after BMT. Officer Cadets have a whole array of unique ranks simulating actual command ranks during their training. OCTs' ranks are similar to a REC.

Originally posted by Gordonator:
To start things off. below is a list of items recommended to bring for your enlistment.

Necesscary items
Hangers and pegs
Alarm clock
Permanent black marker pen (important)
Small lock with keys
Washing powder and brush (for washing clothes)
underwear (7 is more than enough)
Liquid 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

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
Dry food. preferably those that u can share with everyone else.

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

I will recommend that the pen be put in the list of necessary items. Because you will be copying notes from the lectures, and recommend a ballpoint pen so words won't smudge after writing. Get a small ziplock for your notebook and your pen.

Shaver also, recommend manual shaver because you are not allowed to bring electrical shaver outfield.

Hangers and pegs, recommend the sturdy plastic ones, not the flimsy ones made of wire coil as the clothes can be quite heavy. If you forget to bring it, e-mart sells them. But e-mart breaks don't come often.

I will recommend solid soap than liquid soap, because it's easier and lighter to carry. Put it in a soap box labelled with your name.

Ziplock bags, get one roll of "extra large" from supermarkets, good for packing No 4's. Also get plenty of small and medium ones around the size of A5 paper. You'll find them very useful for your various barang-barang such as the "first-aid kit", packing your outfield stuff, etc.

Please don't use number padlocks or "turn-knob" locks as your buddy is supposed to hold one of your keys, lest you are not around and the instructors request access to your metal cabinet. Keep your keys with you, recommend that you put with your ID tags.

Also bring a large tin of Prickly Heat! You'll enjoy powder baths even in bunk.

Recommended optional item: Thirsty Hippo, plus those stuff which can make your metal cabinet smell nice. You definitely won't want to return to bunk and face a smelly cabinet.

from a passed-out recruit's point of view

Thank you, although I won't be in for another year, its very reassuring to know these stuff before hand.

Dettol Shower Foam is good for removing camouflage cream from your body and helmet.

Originally posted by kuekj:

I will recommend that the pen be put in the list of necessary items. Because you will be copying notes from the lectures, and recommend a ballpoint pen so words won't smudge after writing. Get a small ziplock for your notebook and your pen.

Shaver also, recommend manual shaver because you are not allowed to bring electrical shaver outfield.

we were issued with pen and notebook during my time. but it's always good to has a extra pen around. as for shaver, we were also issued with one.

Things not recommend to bring during BMT

do not bring stuffs like MP3 players (iPod), watches or expensive handphones to tekong. unless u risk it been stolen. trust me, i have seem many things gotten stolen during my time, be it the people from your section. platoon or other company. never hurts to play safe.

don't bring too much money with u also. maximum $30 is more than enough for canteen break, taxi ride home etc.

Originally posted by Gordonator:
[b]Ranks
ok now let me introduce to u all all the ranks you will see in the SAF.

Enlistees' ranks
Once Recruits complete their Basic Military Training, they attain the rank of Private. Enlisted personnel form the basic foundation of the Army's manpower. These ranks are worn on both sleeves. Shown here are the Lance Corporal and Corporal ranks. Privates and Recruits do not wear ranks on their sleeves.

[/b]

u left out PFC

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)

Originally posted by thoreldan:

u left out PFC

son't think SAF are promoting any PTE to PFC anymore.

Originally posted by Gordonator:

son't think SAF are promoting any PTE to PFC anymore.

from when onwards?

Originally posted by thoreldan:

from when onwards?

a long time ago i think.

When Swimming Lesson, Can i Wear Shorts Den Trunks?

Originally posted by StRiKeMaN:

When Swimming Lesson, Can i Wear Shorts Den Trunks?

hmm... i believe cannot.

to undersdtand the military lingoes used in the SAF, please refer to this thread below.

http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=130269&page=0

what is the minimum pocket money given to the recruit and private by the government?

How long does it take for the government to offically recruit u? example, time taken for the check up and time taken for nafa test?

Different qualification post to different camps right? where will 'n' level student be posted to?

Originally posted by James1:

what is the minimum pocket money given to the recruit and private by the government?

How long does it take for the government to offically recruit u? example, time taken for the check up and time taken for nafa test?

Different qualification post to different camps right? where will 'n' level student be posted to?

They give u allowance of abt $350 for rec and $450 for pte...

Originally posted by KrU:

They give u allowance of abt $350 for rec and $450 for pte...

thnx, but u have answer my qns 1 out of 3, do u know the other rest?