Hey all!
This post will describe how to make full use of your time in army. Coming soon!
DYI
Friday, 25 March 2016
Saturday, 26 April 2014
BMT Packing list
Disclaimer: The author of this blog is not sponsored by any of the parties/product companies mentioned below. This quick packing overview is meant for Singaporeans or those who are enlisting in Singapore's 2-year National Service (conscription) updated as of April 2014. Due to the nature of changing rules and regulations, this post would be approximately relevant for the next 5 years, at least until the next update.
Hi there and welcome to my blog! :)
I suppose that you stumbled across this blog either because you are a very worried parent who's child is enlisting soon or maybe you are preparing to enlist for BMT (Basic Military Training) in Tekong some time in the future.
Either way, you probably aren't really sure what to bring to help survive the first 2 weeks of confinement.
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| Image from Mindef |
Either way, you probably aren't really sure what to bring to help survive the first 2 weeks of confinement.
If that's you, then this post is for you! We will start of with (1) a quick checklist of things to bring before (2) diving deeper into the reasons for each item. Having these items will definitely make your life in Tekong alot easier. ENJOY!
(1) QUICK CHECKLIST
(Please note that this list acts as a supplement to your original list and not as a replacement!)
1) Phone with spare batteries/portable chargers that will last up to 19 days.
2) Powder detergent
3) Febreeze (EXTREMELY USEFUL, pick them up from NTUC)
4) Extra underwear
5) 5x Black Tape (Safra Emart has a lot)
6) Good quality ziplock bags (Beach Road Army Market has good ones.) Get 2 Large, 3 Medium and 2 Small.
7) Wet Wipes (Good for area cleaning i.e prebookout)
8) Sweets and finger food (small amounts)
*9) Reading materials for nights when you feel emo
*10) Monopoly deal or UNO
*Items that may vary with individuals but strongly advised to bring still.
(2) Diving Deeper
1) Phone with Spare batteries
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| Portable chargers are ESSENTIAL |
For the uninitiated, SAF has lifted the ban on screen size limit size
end of 2013 thus Samsung S5 etc can all be brought into camp now.
BUT for larger phonetablets like the Galaxy Note it might vary for different schools in camp.
(Yes, camera phones are allowed into Tekong too!)
1.1) At this juncture, some lf you might be worried that your phone will get stolen in Tekong. Alot of your parents and relatives have been spreading rumours about how in the past the expensive stuff all got stolen and etc. However, generally most of the people who are enlisting to Tekong WILL bring their smartphones with them, hence it makes little sense to suffer without technology especially when
the first 2 weeks of confinement is so painful!
(You could always put your phone under your pillow or lock it up when u sleep.)
the first 2 weeks of confinement is so painful!
(You could always put your phone under your pillow or lock it up when u sleep.)
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| Febreze makes dirty clothes slightly less unbearable |
Many of you hygienic people may be unaccustomed to wearing the same set of clothes in the morning for evening (esp if you changed out of them) or even for the next day. BUT in army, you can wear one of uniform set for 3-4 days and you still think its fine. Febreeze will help you maintain the odour and some of its products have anti bacterial stuff in them. (The idea is to make your bookout bag as light as possible)
3) Ziplock bags and Black tape
For the black tape and ziplock bags, these will be used up alot during the first few days especially when you pack your standard fieldpack items. The extras are for hygiene purposes (when you want to change your very dirty ziplock bags, its good to have spares)
For the black tape and ziplock bags, these will be used up alot during the first few days especially when you pack your standard fieldpack items. The extras are for hygiene purposes (when you want to change your very dirty ziplock bags, its good to have spares)
4) Cleaning Essentials
During the confinement week, many of your peers will not have brought in cleaning stuff for the bunk and that means you will be cleaning your bunk with either tissuepaper or newspaper. If you want, bring cleaning material like a multipurpose surface cleaner and cloth or maybe just wet wipes.
During the confinement week, many of your peers will not have brought in cleaning stuff for the bunk and that means you will be cleaning your bunk with either tissuepaper or newspaper. If you want, bring cleaning material like a multipurpose surface cleaner and cloth or maybe just wet wipes.
5) Snacks and Sweets
Snacks and finger food like skittles, fruitplus or crackers will make your life much more bearable especially when you get sick and tired of cookhouse food. You bunkmates will love you too for sharing the joy.
Snacks and finger food like skittles, fruitplus or crackers will make your life much more bearable especially when you get sick and tired of cookhouse food. You bunkmates will love you too for sharing the joy.
6) Books/Reading Material
Although optional I would advise you to bring reading material! The confinement week is designed to give you slightly more time to adjust to military life and nothing will be more comforting that a good read. Never hurts to have a good read when you're depressed.
Although optional I would advise you to bring reading material! The confinement week is designed to give you slightly more time to adjust to military life and nothing will be more comforting that a good read. Never hurts to have a good read when you're depressed.
7) Card/Recreational Games
Card games never fail to bond a group! I remember my BMT where my bunk found an old UNO card deck in one of our lockers and it really made our time much more enjoyable. UNO is better than Monopoly Deal as it can be used to play Daidi or bridge (poker cards are illegal in the SAF)
Card games never fail to bond a group! I remember my BMT where my bunk found an old UNO card deck in one of our lockers and it really made our time much more enjoyable. UNO is better than Monopoly Deal as it can be used to play Daidi or bridge (poker cards are illegal in the SAF)
(3) ENDING OFF
So this is a quick 10 item extra list that will make a significant difference in your confinement week. After which, you should more or less be familiar with what you need to survive.
Oh wait, theres one more thing, pack in your backpack some positivity because you're going to need some when the going gets tough.
Oh wait, theres one more thing, pack in your backpack some positivity because you're going to need some when the going gets tough.
If you have anything you want to know feel free to leave a comment below and Ill get back to you ASAP.
NEXT UP: How to maximise time in Army
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