The New Refined NSman IPPT Window
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Shorter time for NSmen to pass IPPT before going for extra training
From next April 2011, operationally-ready National Servicemen (NSmen) have nine months to clear their annual fitness test - Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) - before going for extra training.
Currently, they have a year to pass the test before doing so.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said such changes are meant to help NSmen better sustain fitness levels, among others.
Currently, medically-fit NSmen must pass the IPPT yearly.
Those who fail the test will have to attend Remedial Training (RT) sessions.
Come April next year, NSmen will have three months less to pass the test before RT beckons.
But is this too short a time?
CPL (NS) Chan Chi Thio, who is a teacher, said: "Basically, for people who are able to clear (IPPT), I don't see a problem with that. But for people who are not able to clear, even if you extend it to maybe another few more months, it's not going to make much difference."
More help is on the way for those with problems.
"The current IPPT Prep Training or IPT will be enhanced from a voluntary five-week programme to a voluntary nine-month programme with customised Personal Performance Targets over the same number of training sessions," said Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State for Defence.
"The enhanced IPT provides a more flexible booking system over the nine-month period. This allows our NSmen to regulate their own fitness training regime," he added.
Under the enhanced programme, servicemen will also be given health and fitness education, which will cover topics like managing sports injuries and exercise principles.
It is meant to be a holistic attempt to encourage a healthy-living culture among Singapore's citizen-soldiers.
However, if performance targets are not met when the programme ends, NSmen will need to go for eight additional fitness sessions over three months.
The moves are aimed at preventing fitness levels of NSmen from dipping significantly in between taking their yearly test. - CNA /ls -
After seeing so many fail-ers reporting for RTs, Mindef finally admit defeat to make guys fit for Military Service...
NSMen have 9 months to clear IPPT
Tue, Oct 12, 2010
my paper
By Kenny CheeNATIONAL servicemen who have completed their active service can expect greater flexibility in preparing for their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) soon.
From April 1 next year, operationally ready national servicemen can extend their IPPT training with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) over longer timeframes, said the Ministry of Defence yesterday.
NSmen typically have to pass their IPPT once a year. If they fail it, they must go for SAF remedial training. This entails 20 physical-training sessions over two months, They are paid for attending these sessions.
NSmen who know they have problems passing the fitness test can also voluntarily opt to attend an IPPT preparatory training comprising 10 sessions over five weeks. They are not paid for this.
They are exempted from remedial training for that year if they complete the preparatory training.
But, with the new IPPT training changes, the remedial training period is extended to three months, and the preparatory training period spread over nine months. The number of training sessions remains unchanged.
For the preparatory training, fitness specialists will assess the NSmen and allocate personalised and intermediate IPPT targets for them to meet.
The specialists will look at factors such as fitness levels and the IPPT passing grades based on the NSmen's age.
These targets can be lower thanthe IPPT passing grades. Focused training will be given to NSmen in areas they are weak in. They will be given health and fitness tips too.
However, if they are unable to meet the targets during the nine-month training period, they must go for an extra eight training sessions in the next three months.
They can apply for the preparatory training only within six months of their birthday.
Another change is that NSmen have to take the fitness test within nine months from their birthday. The next three months are reserved for those who need remedial training. The IPPT window opens again on the NSmen's next birthday.
Currently, more than 50 per cent of NSmen pass their IPPT every year, according to Mindef.
Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee said the changes were made after a review earlier this year. "Recognising that our NSmen are citizen soldiers who will have to balance the demands of work responsibilities, family commitments and NS duties, the revised system will give them greater flexibility in planning their fitness training and help them stay fit," he said.
Remedial Training
From April next year, if he fails his IPPT, he must attend paid remedial training of 20 sessions of 3 hours each over 3 months, instead of the current 2 months.
IPPT preparatory training
He can volunteer for unpaid IPPT preparatory training of 10 sessions over 9 months from next April, instead of the current 5 weeks.
As long as he completes this preparatory training, he does not need to do remedial training even if he fails his IPPT for that year.
Personal IPPT targets will now be set for him during the preparatory training. If he cannot meet the targets, he must attend 8 more, paid training sessions over the next 3 months.
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is this good or bad?
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1 - shorter window to clear ippt
2 - rt over 12 weeks instead of 8 (no. of lessons unchanged)
3 - ipt over 9 months instead of 2 (no. of lessons unchanged)
4 - expand the above 3 points to a looooooong essay to look nice on newspapers
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Originally posted by FireIce:
is this good or bad?
I see more people getting pissed off by these changes.
Somewhere up in the bureacracy, some scholar thinks that passing IPPT is every NS man's top priority in life.
Not working to support your family or paying off your mortgage or paying off your car loans and paying off your credit card bills.
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After that $9,000 NS booboo, I would have thought they would try to appease the NS men by making things easier, not harder.
I was wrong.
Truly, some people think differently when they live in ivory towers.
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Originally posted by ahtansh:
Personal IPPT targets will now be set for him during the preparatory training. If he cannot meet the targets, he must attend 8 more, paid training sessions over the next 3 months.
damn~
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Haha, personally, the Remedial Training is a load of crap, why?
I've been covering some RT with the NSmen on fucking weekends with MO before, the PTI's are mostly NSF, they don't shout and scream at the NSmen.
I see the NSmen just relax relax do their thing, the PTI just continue, no scolding or whatsoever.
Liddat only waste people's time, what a joke this is.
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Originally posted by charlize:
After that $9,000 NS booboo, I would have thought they would try to appease the NS men by making things easier, not harder.
I was wrong.
Truly, some people think differently when they live in ivory towers.
We can expect more craps to come after election. -
Originally posted by tranquilice:
We can expect more craps to come after election.Somebody already wrote to ST forums today asking how these changes will improve work life balance for the NS man.
Let's see what they say.
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Originally posted by charlize:
Somebody already wrote to ST forums today asking how these changes will improve work life balance for the NS man.
Let's see what they say.
I bet they will say this will let NSmen have more initiative to have a healthier lifestyle and in turn, improve and balance their working life?
Anyways... cheers~ i dun need to take ippt~ lets all downgrade =P
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I am quite surprised they didn't try to throw money into solving this problem like what they always do for other problems.
Offer $1,000 or more to those who pass IPPT every year.
Will that improve pass rates?
I think so.
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and im still wondering why guys still pay so much to go to gym
or isit 醉�之��在酒....................
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why not lower the ippt passing standards
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Letter came out today.
The usual blah blah.
As good as a non-reply.
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work and life will suffer...too tired to work after being drained off daily n for many months.
in the end u will age and look like an old man faster.
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Originally posted by FireIce:
and im still wondering why guys still pay so much to go to gym
or isit 醉�之��在酒....................Army camps don't have sexy sweaty ladies to look at.
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Originally posted by trolol:
Haha, personally, the Remedial Training is a load of crap, why?
I've been covering some RT with the NSmen on fucking weekends with MO before, the PTI's are mostly NSF, they don't shout and scream at the NSmen.
I see the NSmen just relax relax do their thing, the PTI just continue, no scolding or whatsoever.
Liddat only waste people's time, what a joke this is.
precisely PTIs are mostly NSF, those lao jiaos (some even kl) NSmen, won't even bother to listen to these young fit buggers who got their bods from training during their free time in camp.
if those NSF PTIs scold, NSmen may complain. also, its not very nice for a junior to scold a senior (in terms of age).
of course there are still exception cases which NSmen sincerely want to train.
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Whether they have a 1 month or 1 week window to pass IPPT it does not affect the people at all? Because those who are fit, can pass, will still pass? Those who are destinated to fail, will still fail.
How many of us only start to "WORK"out, 3 months before the Birthday and immediately take another one for the next work year?
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Originally posted by Lokey:
Whether they have a 1 month or 1 week window to pass IPPT it does not affect the people at all? Because those who are fit, can pass, will still pass? Those who are destinated to fail, will still fail.
How many of us only start to "WORK"out, 3 months before the Birthday and immediately take another one for the next work year?
Like I said before, some scholar up there probably thinks that passing ippt is everybody's top priority in life.
All under the guise of "leading a healthy lifestyle" .
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Originally posted by charlize:
Like I said before, some scholar up there probably thinks that passing ippt is everybody's top priority in life.
All under the guise of "leading a healthy lifestyle" .
It is good what healthy lifestyle. Do more exercise. Maintain constant fitness.
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wish i was medically fit to enjoy RT....i liked going to RT cause it means i'm getting off work earlier plus i'm being paid to do it...also meeting my old Army frens,former BMT sgts etc...lol...and it's like a leisure R&R...no one shouting or tekan u..dun feel like doing it?say ur chest hurts..haha...PTIs worried alredi...so i feel that as long as they pay u to do it,just enjoy...it's better than they sending u a SAF 100,go ur Units ,see Chief Clerks to pay fine rite?
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Doesn't affect me, knowing I have to clear once a year, I put in the effort to find time to keep fit, and clear it in one sitting. But of late, my current occupation is keeping me fitter than I should.
