Guide to NS Enlistment Year
National Service may be daunting to some but it is exciting for others. Regardless, NS can be viewed as a 2-year break for all males to improve themselves and engage in experiential learning before entering University. Knowing that National Service entails a great degree of uncertainty, GapYearSG reached out to past and present NSFs to learn more about their experience and crafted a guide to NS Enlistment Year to reduce the anxieties of Pre-Enlistees and First Year Soldiers.
Awaiting Enlistment after Tertiary Education
Some may receive their enlistment letter prior to graduation and some may receive it shortly after graduation. Others would have to wait for months before being notified of their enlistment date. While there are uncertainties regarding the exact date of enlistment, Pre-Enlistees should expect to receive their enlistment letters two months prior to their enlistment date. In short, it would not be feasible for Pre-Enlistees to commit to internships or jobs after graduation. Instead, Pre-Enlistees may cultivate soft skills such as independence, pick up new hobbies/interests such as writing or coding, or even begin crafting their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and personal statements for university applications.
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Typical JC Batch Intake:
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January (Enhanced Batch - 22 months)
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February (PTP Batch - 24 months)
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April (Enhanced Batch - 22 months)
Typical Polytechnic Batch Intake:
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May (PTP Batch)
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July (Enhanced Batch)
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August (PTP Batch)
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October (Enhanced Batch)
What can I expect in NS?
Many NSFs shared that they were given a decent amount of autonomy. Depending on their Post-BMT Vocations, booking in and out can be quite regular. Hence, it is important for NSFs to plan out their schedule in order to achieve their goals.
Things might seem challenging in the first few weeks as NSF adjust to new environments and lifestyles. But as time progresses, it is very possible to engage in opportunities outside of NS to improve your portfolio. No doubt, it can be physically demanding and mentally draining and requires discipline, but you can be assured that it will turn you into a better person!
How can one grow from NS?
One of our surveyees shared that NS introduced him to a whole new world, in terms of the possible challenges he could face in life, especially when it came to taking responsibility for his actions and being held accountable for his mistakes. Learning to live independently is also a valuable life skill that he is grateful to have picked up in NS!
Another surveyee felt that,
“NS is a major catalyst for growth where one is pushed to learn how to pick up PR skills. NSFs are thrown into an environment where people come from different walks of life. One has to learn how to communicate, network, and manage people. This is very much similar to the working world, so NS acts as a buffer for guys to hone these skills before entering full adulthood.”
Will I have enough free time for my pursuits?
While free time might be scarce during BMT, NSFs can expect more after completing their vocational training. Generally, one can expect to have 10-20 hours of free time on weekdays. Many have attempted to retake A-Levels in command school, and others read voraciously during outfield while some struggle to juggle between entertainment and personal goals.
Regardless of your vocation, it really boils down to how well you schedule your timetable and keep track of your goals!
Is it possible to prepare your portfolio during NS?
Many past and present NSFs agreed that NS would be a prime time to pick up soft skills such as public speaking, time management, displaying empathy, and more, depending on your vocation. There are always some valuable skills that you can take away from your training! Discovering more about yourself and understanding your personal values will really help you in Personal Branding, which is very important for crafting your CV, resume, and personal statements.
NSFs may also take up part-time courses to gain qualifications/certifications, such as a part-time diploma, counseling workshops, or even MOOC courses from Coursera and EdX. However, it is important to notify your superiors of your plans as they may be subjected to their approval/support! Alternatively, NSFs may partake in volunteering activities during the weekends, and pockets of time in between training on weekdays can be used for reading.
Most importantly, Pre-Enlistees and current NSFs should view portfolio-building differently when they enter NS. Rather than trying to increase the number of activities that you can list down in your CV, you should think about how NS can be used to develop yourselves or to pursue your hobbies, and how NS can complement your growth. A beefed-up portfolio and an attractive applicant would naturally come along with it as a byproduct!
Maintaining close relationships in NS
After having slogged through the weekdays, you will definitely feel tired and lazy during the weekends. However, it is also important to spend quality time with your friends and family! Show them that you treasure them through meaningful conversations or outings!
At the same time, do not be afraid to voice out your needs. It is completely normal to feel the need to rant or express your emotions after a long day. Letting our emotions out really helps to keep our mental health in check! Reach out to your friends by sending them voice messages or by giving them a call. Vocal communication ensures that you are better heard and avoids any potential miscommunication or misunderstandings! Alternatively, our GapYearSG website contains a list of contacts that you may reach out to if you need a listening ear!
Final words
In summary, National Service doesn’t bring your learning to a halt as many people expect. Rather, it is more of a change in lifestyle that you can learn to cope with and embrace. You can still expect development, free time, and the forging of new friendships during your NS journey!
We hope that this guide has been beneficial to you and hope to hear your success stories soon!