Response to The Straits Times Forum Letter on "Rationale for IPPT changes: Come again?"

We refer to Mr Nicholas Loh's letter, "Rationale for IPPT changes: Come again?" (ST, Oct 13). The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) recognises and appreciates that as citizen soldiers, our NSmen have to balance the demands of work responsibilities, family commitments and NS duties. MINDEF is therefore committed to providing a meaningful national service (NS) training experience for our operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen). As part of this effort, a review on the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) system for NSmen was conducted. Two key refinements to the NS IPPT system will be introduced in April 2011. First, the one-year window for NS IPPT, which starts annually on the individual's birthday, will be recalibrated to nine months for the NSmen to pass their IPPT, and three months for subsequent remedial training if required. Second, to provide our NSmen with sustainable and progressive fitness improvement, the IPPT Preparatory Training, or IPT, which is currently available for only 5 weeks, will now be made available for 9 months on a voluntary basis to all NSmen. In sync with the 9-month window, within which the NSmen have to pass their IPPT, this new 9-month IPT programme will have customised personal performance targets over the same number of training sessions as the current 5-week programme. It also provides a more flexible booking system to allow NSmen to take the initiative to regulate their fitness training regime over the 9-month period. These two refinements taken together allow NSmen who may need more training to pass their IPPT to receive assistance sooner.

Colonel Desmond Tan Director,

Public Affairs Ministry of Defence

MINDEF's reply was published as "Two ways it helps NSmen", The Straits Times, 15 Oct 10