Response to TODAY's Forum Letter on "Make Training More Convenient, Flexible For NSmen and IPPT Rewards For Recruits"

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would like to thank Mr Gerrard Wong and Mr Wilson Choo for their feedback and suggestions.

National Servicemen (NSmen) have the flexibility to do their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT) and Remedial Training (RT) on weekdays as well as over weekends. On weekdays, IPPT, RT and IPT sessions are staggered to start at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm respectively so that as many NSmen can be accommodated and for the training activity to be completed at a reasonable time.

IPPT attendance is not counted towards RT or IPT, because IPPT is a test, and does not provide the customised physical training in RT and IPT necessary to help NSmen prepare and pass their IPPT. For this same reason, RT participants need to have completed 8 session before re-attempting their IPPT.

We would also like to clarify that the remedial training during Basic Military Training (BMT) is not a form of punishment, but it is meant to help recruits improve their fitness and pass their IPPT. Monetary incentives are not awarded for IPPT conducted during BMT. As recruits are still acclimatising to their training, a lower provisional IPPT pass standard for BMT is also set. Full-time National Servicemen will be eligible for IPPT monetary incentives after BMT.

Please feel free to contact NS Call Centre at 1800-3676767 should you require further clarifications.

COL Ng Ying Thong
ACGS (Training) 

MINDEF's reply was published as "Individual Physical Proficiency Test for National Servicemen", TODAY, 04 Feb 2014