Future in doubt...
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Hello. I am a 19year old Poly student.
I am about to quit my diploma course, as I cannot cope with it. After which, of course, I will be called up for national service.
I need some answers about the following.
1. Does the Army or Mindef offer courses like military law to people who sign on?
2. Who are those qualified for it?
3. If not military law, what other courses does Mindef or Army have to offer?
4. I only have an O'level Cert, would that be a problem?
5. If none available, what should I do to further my studies or advance in any future career?
Just a bit of background. I like military stuff alot, and never failed to get information and knowledge about it. In fact, most people feel that i know the military better than I know my family or school. Most actually encourage me to find my place in the military, but I have doubts because of what my parents always tell me. They tell me that, people in the military have no future. They believe that only in the public sector will one prosper. I believe that without the military, there would be no public sector, or Singapore.
Can someone give me any ideas on what to do from now and answer the above questions. -
i have friends with only N certs who signed on. after around 3 years they are eligible for credit card application.
but you best think it over carefully, do you want to serve the army your entire life? because usually people who sign on, aren't able to adapt to life outside the army after so many years.
this also depends on where your interest is.... i have friends in commando, intelligence, police.
you lose alot of freedom, but you have a very stable life.
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vroom...tingtingtingtingti...vroom~ -
I don't really have a lot of choice since i only have an O' cert.
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you are never too old to study.
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True, but to finance the education? After NS, i'll be out of the education system. Parents won't pay for school fees anymore. Nor will they give allowance. Gotta do it myself.
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Like what KOF guy had said.... SAF is more like people who are prepared to spend the rest of their life in it... And it may really be quite TIED DOWN and diffcult to adapt to the 'outside world' after some time (depends on yourself).... But there're also EXCEPTIONs...
Having an 'O' level credit ONLY can really be a hindrance if you try to find a job in the future... But it's not all that IMPOSSIBLE... Depending on what you're after and your EXPECTATION in your future...?
My SUGGESTION would be for you to TRY and STICK to your diploma course and FINISH it... With good or poor results... REPEAT modules OR whatsoever.. I guess you can kinda say it's the MINIMIUM requirement nowadays...? EVEN you've decided that career in SAF is for you...?
Signing up with SAF could really be quite a 'wise choice' for now considering the fact that MOST MAJOR sectors in the society now is NOT performing well... SAF can at least offer you a STABLE JOB and REASONABLE pay for now....?
SAF FOREVER..? Nope... Not necessarily..? I've known people and friends who have used CONTACT with SAF to save up for their STUDIES FEE in their future... Some even make use of the opportunities and courses that SAF offer.... And SINCE you're INTERESTED in military stuff, I say you can START YOUNG and perhaps just try a 'short' or reasonable years of contact with SAF...?
About what MINDEF and SAF can offer for you in terms of courses and opportunities... I think you SHOULD go up there and find out from them PERSONALLY...? I'm sure they'll be MORE than glad to help you...?
But just try to get some feddbacks from some other people than those people from SAF and MINDEF regarding the things they've said ok...?
SO GOOD LUCK and ALL THE BEST for YOUR FUTURE!!! -
My idea is these uniform organisations all sama sama one.. eat your youth, then later put you in the closet if you do not perform well or have a high qualification. So it's not really worth investing your life in there.
Then again, like that Devil said, it's only tough to survive the days ahead, but it is NOT impossible. There are people who work part-time to earn their school fees for poly, and people who saved up already and study after that.
I can see that both have advantages, because when you're being force in a situation when you have to work part-time you will focus better, as it's your own money yhat you're using and you will not tend waste it as you learn the hard way to get your qualifications.
The other way helps in the sense that you will know how working life is and will understand the good life of a student. you will also be more matured in you thinking to think what is better for yourself and what you want to pursue in your life.
Then again why not join the Navy?? heard got better prospects, but not sure if true or not...
------------------Originally posted by Devil1976:Like what KOF guy had said.... SAF is more like people who are prepared to spend the rest of their life in it... And it may really be quite TIED DOWN and diffcult to adapt to the 'outside world' after some time (depends on yourself).... But there're also EXCEPTIONs...
Having an 'O' level credit ONLY can really be a hindrance if you try to find a job in the future... But it's not all that IMPOSSIBLE... Depending on what you're after and your EXPECTATION in your future...?
My SUGGESTION would be for you to TRY and STICK to your diploma course and FINISH it... With good or poor results... REPEAT modules OR whatsoever.. I guess you can kinda say it's the MINIMIUM requirement nowadays...? EVEN you've decided that career in SAF is for you...?
Signing up with SAF could really be quite a 'wise choice' for now considering the fact that MOST MAJOR sectors in the society now is NOT performing well... SAF can at least offer you a STABLE JOB and REASONABLE pay for now....?
SAF FOREVER..? Nope... Not necessarily..? I've known people and friends who have used CONTACT with SAF to save up for their STUDIES FEE in their future... Some even make use of the opportunities and courses that SAF offer.... And SINCE you're INTERESTED in military stuff, I say you can START YOUNG and perhaps just try a 'short' or reasonable years of contact with SAF...?
About what MINDEF and SAF can offer for you in terms of courses and opportunities... I think you SHOULD go up there and find out from them PERSONALLY...? I'm sure they'll be MORE than glad to help you...? But just try to get some feddbacks from some other people than those people from SAF and MINDEF regarding the things they've said ok...?
SO GOOD LUCK and ALL THE BEST for YOUR FUTURE!!!
()""() ************************
( 'o' ) Barely Bearing Berry Belly Bear
(,) (,) =======================
(.)_(.) Beary Bear *Huggiez*...
~.~.~. For you, I care and love.
[This message has been edited by Bear (edited 15 October 2001).] -
HULLO?!! u noe nutz bout de military until u are IN it. Trust your parents.Originally posted by Shotgun:Just a bit of background. I like military stuff alot, and never failed to get information and knowledge about it. In fact, most people feel that i know the military better than I know my family or school. Most actually encourage me to find my place in the military, but I have doubts because of what my parents always tell me.
if u really have to sign up. Do so after u get your diploma. your prospects in de army will be much brighter.
i noe too many regulars who end up sad, disillusioned and a bit kuku to advise u to sign up.
finally, GET YOUR DIPLOMA FIRST!!! -
ya... if you really wanna go in, get your dilpoma 1st, otherwise you won't go higher than warrant officer... and you will only reach WO AFTER you renew your contract.
SAF used to have a 6yrs scheme i heard, but what i found out myself recently is that, they have a 10 yr contract. if you stay for the entire 10 years, they will give you a lump sum after that 10 years.
however, after 6yrs in the army, you're allowed to leave if you wish. neither party has to pay any cash.
and if you decide to renew your contract after 10 years, your lump sum will be dbled but will be delayed till your new contract ends.
rinse.
repeat.
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vroom...tingtingtingtingti...vroom~ -
Well, I doubt i can continue with my diploma course. Like I have said before, I am unable to cope with the modules. Probably because I am not really strong in the Engineering side of studies.
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I had struggled through the 3 years in poly. I must say that I do not have the aptitude for engrg too. Treat it as a stepping stone, no matter how badly u've done, at the end of the 3 years, as a diploma-holder u'll still be better off than those without. Agree?Originally posted by Shotgun:Well, I doubt i can continue with my diploma course. Like I have said before, I am unable to cope with the modules. Probably because I am not really strong in the Engineering side of studies.
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*** Nothing Lasts Forever *** -
if you want to sign up, better sign up in bmt. it increases your chance of going ocs significantly. but if you have an o level only, then no chance cos ocs needs at least a level/diploma. my advice to you is, stick with your diploma course, sign on only after you get your diploma. by the way, if you end up as a clerk, don't sign on. they don't want you...
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no body in the right mind will want to sign on the army..... unless u can get to the very top of the rank.... for specialist, forget it....
at 19, i believe u in the final yr... it's rather stupid to give up now coming to the final yr of the course..
i was once a poly student, i was no good in my studies. but i thank myself for at least finishing my diploma.... learning process is never easy... in what ever things that u do. -
Cannot cope? dats something totally unacceptable in the army. When u are given an order, u NEVER say u "cannot cope". if dis is de type of attiude u have, forget bout de army.Originally posted by Shotgun:Well, I doubt i can continue with my diploma course. Like I have said before, I am unable to cope with the modules. Probably because I am not really strong in the Engineering side of studies.
here my last piece of info for u. Many regulars have wanted to complete a diploma course in de army. Yes, the SAF does sponsor and subsidize them, but majority could not do it due to de schedule etc.
de decisions' yours. its your life afterall. -
Shotgun...
I agree with Psycho. One tends to know nuts about the army until they're are in it. If you're aptitude is not into studying. Are you good enough for Special Operations, Commandos?
Without good studying powers to continually upgrade and get promotions. The army is quite a dead end but really stable career. If you study hard and be smart, can become a general. Otherwise, can end up condemned as a SAF regular. Most of my friends with 'O' Levels who joined the army left after they completed their first 6 years. Just so they can get the gratuity to do what they want.
I'm not against a career in army, you're still young and there are many things you could do. Keep your options open. Unless, you just want to use being a regular as a stepping stone or as a form of escapism from finding real work. Then go for it, otherwise keep looking.... Good Luck! -
well.. nowadays, to be a general, you at least gotta be a OMS (overseas merit scholar), other than that, it's very difficult. i only know 2 generals who made it, who were not. most of the people here are right, unless you have at least a diploma, you can't be an officer. it kind of depends on what kind of work you like. some people say it's better to be an officer for a regular. well, as an officer, you start out low, and get dumped most of the work. an "entry-level" officer, like most NSFs, is a dirty job. why not try the SAF for a few months, like BMT, or when you hit the unit, and observe what the higher ranking people do? see if you like the lifestyle then.
once you're in, it's not easy to eke out a living outside. the regimentation sets in you, plus the people skills and that. took me, a NSF, a while to get used to civilian life after 2 and a half years. imagine a 6 yr contract? it's a good steady job, but you get into a rut after sometime. i know of regulars who literally sit their lives through army, just to earn a living, with no passion for what they're doing. pretty bad.
but with that said, a specialist's job can be rewarding. i was one for like 2 days. hahaha...
nah just kidding.. i say that from observing specialists in my unit.