Military Training

[SomeLameStuff]

I'm being conscripted into the army tomorrow against my will (conscription usually is). It's a two year thing, where they put you through Basic Training for about three months before you get a job posting somewhere. There's no way of weasling out of it besides sneaking out of the country and becoming a fugitive, so I'm kinda stuck with it.

I know we have some military type guys on the forums here, so I wanted to ask about what I can expect from the training. I'm not the atheletic type, not since I got a knee injury some years back, so how much trouble will I be in? What nightmares will I be in for? And will I be shooting myself in the head with my rifle like that fat guy from Full Metal Jacket?

Also, for anyone wondering, we're getting paid about $200 a month for this. Joy.

EDIT: Since so many people are asking if my knee injury was because of an arrow, no, it isn't. It was caused by some fat prick tackling me to the ground, landing on my knee and crushing it between his weight and the concrete floor. At high speed.

I'd rather have taken an arrow to the knee.

 

[Estocavio]

You seem to be the Victim of some Stereotypes.
If You have a Disabling Knee Injury, You can probably either get out of it, or get Yourself on a Radio, or some other secondhand Work.
Being Athletic is Irrelevant. They can Train that in.

What kind of Knee Injury?
Also, its $200 a Month, but what are Your Expenses if You Reside on Base? Because if theyre very little like they are in most places, thats $200 a Month that doesnt need to have much of itself used.

Thats all I can say really. Military Idealogy differs from Country to Country, so really only someone who knows about how its done in Singapore can answer these things, unless Youre only pretending to be in Singapore

EDIT: Stereotypes regarding Protocol. It is a bad thing for THEM, to put someone with a screwed Knee into Active Duty. Basic Training is unavoidable, but They stand to lose if They put someone on wholl hold everyone else up.

 

[Llil]

We have conscription in Finland too, and I did my time about two years ago. I don't know how similar it is in Singapore, but I felt it really wasn't that bad after I got over the initial culture shock. I'm not athletic in any way and I was fine. Just do what you're told, and you'll have no problems. The difficult part (at least for some) is to get over the fact that you'll have to take orders from people you might have no respect for.

Oh, and try to save that money. You'll be getting your food and everything from the army, so there's really no need to spend it. Save it, so you can buy yourself something nice after you get out.

I can only speak for Finland, however. And we only do 6, 9 or 12 months, so there's that. 2 years sounds like a lot.

 

[RevRaptor]

It's nothing like the movies. I can't say for sure what you are in for being a different country and all but most solders act like decent human beings, even the ones training you. You might even enjoy yourself. One thing though expect a lot of shouting, doesn't matter what country you are in they is always shouting, then they make you shout, then everyone shouts. No one ever talks in the army they just shout and grunt at each other, you'll get used to it in no time

 

[SomeLameStuff]

*snip*

Well I cracked my knee (got bodyslammed onto a concrete floor), didn't get it checked until ages later (read: 3 years) and now it hurts like hell when I'm walking or running for too long.

Well, they provide you food on base, but you get weekends off, and you have to bring your own soap, detergent, etc. Also, their food is horrible. I ate the canteen food on the base tour they had in January and got food poisoning for a week =S

 

[Estocavio]

*snip*

*additional snipping*

Yeah - Based on that kind of Injury, itd be detrimental for them to put You into any real service, especially if You bring it up relatively often. So You can ensure You get assigned somewere squishy.

As for Soaps and the like, thats basic. Food, just get Soup. In WW2, alot of People survived on Crates full of Soup.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1943-Ad-Campbells-Tomato-Soup-WWII-War-Food-Rationing-Conservation-Army-Military-/310353472846 for a fun, short read.
Soup is also Cheap. That was 6 Years. Youre in for 2 Years.

Happen to have a Favorite Canned Soup?
Because as it is, the best thing You can do is save Money like nobodies business, and enjoy it in 2 Years. Military Service tends to look nice on a Resume as well.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Oh, and try to save that money. You'll be getting your food and everything from the army, so there's really no need to spend it. Save it, so you can buy yourself something nice after you get out.

I can only speak for Finland, however. And we only do 6, 9 or 12 months, so there's that. 2 years sounds like a lot.

Oh believe me, I will be saving up. I need a Vita for Persona 4 Golden after all!

The official reason they're training us for two years is because the government says that since we're a small country, our soldiers must be better than everyone else to defend the country. Which is bullshit. Whoever attacks Singapore will have half the planet stomp their ass into the dust.

What I think is that the government are pissed that they were forced into the army, and are taking it out on us by forcing US into the army as well. Jeez...

 

[Sordak]

two years? its alot less in austria. well we do have an alternative. but it mostly includes bathing old people.
if youre lucky you get to drive the ambulance tho.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Happen to have a Favorite Canned Soup?
Because as it is, the best thing You can do is save Money like nobodies business, and enjoy it in 2 Years. Military Service tends to look nice on a Resume as well.

Well, Baked Potato soup isn't that bad...

And actually, it doesn't really stop at 2 years. You have to return for a few weeks every year for them to ensure you haven't been slacking off and that you're still ready for combat. It only stops when you're 45. Which is a long time if you ask me...

 

[SomeLameStuff]

two years? its alot less in austria. well we do have an alternative. but it mostly includes bathing old people.
if youre lucky you get to drive the ambulance tho.

We have an alternative too. But it involves a $10000 fine and jail time up to 3 years.

 

[Llil]

The official reason they're training us for two years is because the government says that since we're a small country, our soldiers must be better than everyone else to defend the country. Which is bullshit. Whoever attacks Singapore will have half the planet stomp their ass into the dust.

What I think is that the government are pissed that they were forced into the army, and are taking it out on us by forcing US into the army as well. Jeez...

Yeah, it's one of those things that's always been done, and people don't want change. And it "builds character" and "makes you a man" or something.

By the way, do they ask you where you would like to be posted after basic training? They did ask us (obviously not everyone got where they wanted), and I got to work in the office, so I got it pretty easy. You could consider that. Just doing paperwork might be boring sometimes, but it's easier. Your knee would be a good reason to get there too.

 

[Joccaren]

Damn. Sucks your being conscripted. Luckily nothing like that over here. Can't comment too much on Military Training as whilst I know some people who have been in our military for a few years, I haven't personally joined myself.

Oh, and please tell me that knee injury was caused by an arrow. I'm sorry, but that call has to be made...

 

[Estocavio]

Happen to have a Favorite Canned Soup?
Because as it is, the best thing You can do is save Money like nobodies business, and enjoy it in 2 Years. Military Service tends to look nice on a Resume as well.

Well, Baked Potato soup isn't that bad...

And actually, it doesn't really stop at 2 years. You have to return for a few weeks every year for them to ensure you haven't been slacking off and that you're still ready for combat. It only stops when you're 45. Which is a long time if you ask me...

Good thing Soup is awesome

 

[JoesshittyOs]

Wow, that really sucks and I'm sorry to hear that. I personally wouldn't mind joining the army because I've always had the urge to try it, but if you're forced into it that's a whole other story.

From what I've heard from my brother, the most physical part is he first few weeks. After that it's more about learning the basics of the weapons and different vehicles and such. I don't know much about other country's, but it shouldn't be that bad. Just think about how in shape you'll be by the end of it.

 

[SidingWithTheEnemy]

Strange, there is no psychological test where you can "brag" about your desire to kill the enemy with your bare hands, and see how they gasp for their last breath while you choke them to dead, afterwards bathing in their entrails and rapings their wifes and grandmothers while eating their children?
Because most countries don't want those people in their military (conscription or not)
If that's no option you can still become sick from the food and pretty much useless to your company/unit. If they start needing to pay a lot of healthcare they probably don't want you anymore.

But other than that, I can't offer much advice. I was alomst conscripted too but I opted to do some alternative service at an emergency call center. Was the best time of my life (though horribly underpaid).

Finally, you can be sure that you're not the only one who dislikes being conscripted. You're unit will be full of those people who have better things to do than being in the military.

 

[JesterRaiin]

I know we have some military type guys on the forums here, so I wanted to ask about what I can expect from the training. I'm not the atheletic type, not since I got a knee injury some years back, so how much trouble will I be in? What nightmares will I be in for? And will I be shooting myself in the head with my rifle like that fat guy from Full Metal Jacket?

Oh yes, you will and it's easy to predict basing on your avatar.

More seriously.
Cheer up man, thousands people before you served in the military and nothing happened. Things are far less scary in the reality than what they seem to be. From my own experience : wherever you'll land, whatever your formation will be, imagine you're in a wolfpack. Lock your emotions in a safe place, they aren't really that useful in such environment. Also, do your job, avoid "rebel without a cause" attitude, and don't treat this experience like something that will scar you for life. Mostly it doesn't. And by "mostly" i mean "people often forget about their army duty after a year or two".

Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself at home there ?

Best of luck !

 

[Xanthious]

I have a good friend that's a career military fella. He likes to tell two stories about basic. First story is that on the first day of basic the sergeant asks for two volunteers. The two poor bastards that get picked have to do some horrible busy work like clean the showers with a toothbrush or what not. Moral? Volunteer for nothing. I think that's good advice regardless of which country's military you are in.

Second story was about a fella that was sneaky enough to earn a psych discharge. This one may or may not be some kind of military urban legend. I'm not totally sure. Guy gets to boot camp and from day one he bounces an imaginary ball everywhere he goes. At mess he sets the "ball" on the seat next to him. Even going as far as to not let people sit in the seat the "ball" is in. Finally he gets called into see the shrink and it's determined he should be discharged for psychological reasons. On his way out he bends down and sits his "ball" just inside the gate to the base. The guard at the gate asks "Aren't you going to take your ball with you?" The man replies "Nah, I'm going to leave it here so the next poor bastard that wants out can use it"

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

As someone already hinted at a perfectly good arrow to the knee joke wasted. Anyway while I am not a military person myself I have heard from a friend that it is not as bad as the movies but it will be relatively hard physical training. Although even that is relative.

 

[StANDY1338]

I have a good friend that's a career military fella. He likes to tell two stories about basic. First story is that on the first day of basic the sergeant asks for two volunteers. The two poor bastards that get picked have to do some horrible busy work like clean the showers with a toothbrush or what not. Moral? Volunteer for nothing. I think that's good advice regardless of which country's military you are in.

Second story was about a fella that was sneaky enough to earn a psych discharge. This one may or may not be some kind of military urban legend. I'm not totally sure. Guy gets to boot camp and from day one he bounces an imaginary ball everywhere he goes. At mess he sets the "ball" on the seat next to him. Even going as far as to not let people sit in the seat the "ball" is in. Finally he gets called into see the shrink and it's determined he should be discharged for psychological reasons. On his way out he bends down and sits his "ball" just inside the gate to the base. The guard at the gate asks "Aren't you going to take your ball with you?" The man replies "Nah, I'm going to leave it here so the next poor bastard that wants out can use it"

Fantastic. Can't belive that ball thing would work really though.