Originally posted by chickenwing18:
hey guys,
im abt to enlist for ns but i havent got a clue on what is to come. so i want to know ur opinions on ns.
like what is the first thing you do when u get enlisted. how are the living conditions and the training conditions? all u guys went through pls share.
what are some of the things you guys do? i heard the living conditions are quite bad. my friend who is very rich had quite hard time adjusting. no aircon, no maid and alot he complain.
so whats ur opinions on the initial stages of NS. feel free to tell as much as u want. i like to know.
anyway, to answer your questions broadly
1. when you first enlist, you will go through BMT. that is in the general sense. what it means in greater resolution is physical training, learning soldiering skills, picking up on discipline via drills and other lessons, etc.
2. living conditions will depend on the camp you go. for starters, BMTC, where one will likely go through his BMT, has rather a good living environment with new facilities. if you get posted to a unit, it will largely depend on the age of the camp. older camps may have older and lesser facilities, but of course, are liveable. as for training, facilities are definitely available, and in good condition. training is certainly tough too but of course manageable.
3. when one goes to NS one of the first things he learns is to be independent, and to live and work with his peers. that means firstly to be able to take care of himself, and secondly to be able to work with peers to achieve the required. so needless to say one will need to do cleaning of his area, his clothes, maintaining his belongings, etc. yes there is no aircon - we do not want to pamper our kids THAT much do we? soldiers are trained to fight wars and wars to do occur in airconed shopping centres. and we certainly require our soldiers to be able to take care of himself and his peers, and not rely on maids to do that. perhaps your friend would learn not to complain about the seeming lack of luxuries that he probably has taken for granted. in the end what he is learning will benefit him.
whether its the initial or middle or the final stages of NS, what matters most is one's attitude towards it. not everyone likes the military and certainly even less are cut out for it. but even then, if one is able to maintain a positive attitude, take it seriously, adopt an open mind and be willing to learn, he will definitely not think the 2 years is a waste of time. many have gone through it and came out a better person, many more have found out eventually that NS was not that bad afterall, most will have forged friendship bonds that last beyond the 2 years. hope these will apply to you too.
