Aligning training with operational demands

Four new Basic Military Training (BMT) programmes have been created and are customised to both the medical conditions of recruits as well as the operational roles they will play in their National Service.

First announced by Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong on 4 Dec 09, the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) four new BMT programmes aim to better engage recruits intellectually and emotionally, and to instil a greater sense of purpose towards defence.

While the purpose of BMT will continue to be training combat-ready soldiers in a safe and professional manner, the latest changes will better align the medical classification of troops with the roles they will eventually take up.

BMT is where newly-enlisted soldiers learn basic soldiering skills, such as weapons handling, combat techniques and military conventions.

The new programmes include a 19-week course for obese recruits, a four-week BMT for PES E recruits, a nine-week BMT for PES C recruits, and a nine-week BMT for PES B2 recruits. PES B2 is a new medical classification which will replace PES C1.

The changes were derived after careful scientific research and feedback from servicemen and their parents. Explaining the rationale behind the new BMT programme for obese recruits, MG Neo said: "A 19-week BMT for obese recruits is the optimum duration for weight-loss and overall physical fitness improvement."

Under the old system, BMT for obese recruits were either 15-week or 26-week programmes, depending on the level of obesity. "For the 15-week group, we found that a few more weeks of training would be better. For the 26-week group, we found that weight loss was marginal after about 19 weeks. Hence, there is no need to go beyond that number," explained MG Neo. Under the new BMT system, all medically-fit enlistees whose Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 27 will attend the 19-week programme.

Similarly, the decision to lengthen BMT from seven to nine weeks for PES C recruits and from one week to four weeks for PES E recruits was made after it was found that more time was needed for recruits to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for the roles they will be assigned, and to adjust to a military lifestyle.

The name change from PES C1 to PES B2 is to better reflect the subsequent deployment of these soldiers to combat and combat support roles. Servicemen who have been previously classified as PES C1 will not be assigned the new PES B2 status.

Despite all these changes, the overall length of National Service remains unchanged and PES A and B enlistees will continue to attend a nine-week BMT.

The new BMT programmes are currently being implemented progressively: the revised 19-week BMT for obese recruits will start from February, while the nine-week BMT programmes for PES B2 and PES C recruits will take effect from June. The four-week BMT for PES E recruits will also commence in June.

The SAF conducts periodic reviews of its BMT system to continually improve the NS experience and to ensure realistic but safe training during BMT. "Through BMT, we aim to instil in our recruits a sense of purpose and to provide them with a positive National Service experience. The new BMT programmes will better prepare them for their eventual roles within the SAF," said Colonel Ng Wai Kit, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Training).