Hi guys! Welcome to another episode of AskTSL.
We asked you guys to send us your national service questions,
And all of us here are going to answer your questions.
Let's go!
Yes sir!
What were your rank, vocations, and it's scopes?
Lai (Come), you asked so much right,
[Bolin] You answer first.
[Hafeez] This one is true NS culture, [Bolin] You answer first.
[Hafeez] This one is true NS culture,
Straight away kena (get) arrow.
I wasn't in the army, I was a policeman serving in the SPF (Singapore Police Force).
My rank was sergeant.
For NS purposes, there was an additional term in front (of the rank).
It's called SC Sergeant.
So, (I am) SC Sergeant Hafeez.
You see those people patrolling around your neighborhood or,
The ones that attend the cases whenever anyone calls the police,
I'll be the one who handles (the cases).
I was a sergeant also, in the Air Force.
I was in Air Traffic Control.
I was in the control tower,
Then I look at aeroplane fly up (and) come back.
Sometimes, we got secret missions.
Sometimes the secret missions' (aeroplanes) have to take off,
But your normal training (aeroplanes) also need to take off.
But, you only got one runway.
So (it's) like playing Dota, this one (have to) move (and) this one (have to move).
You know that was my dream vocation.
My rank was LTA, not Lands Transport Authority.
It's lieutenant.
Actually, it's lieutenant or leftenant? Singapore is (called) leftenant right?
(It) depends, you (are) right-handed (so it's) rightenant.
I was a logistics officer.
Basically, I was in-charged of the S4 branch.
S4 is logistics stuffs.
So for different events or exercises,
I will settle all the logistics.
Another one would be to plan the training programme for my trainees.
I'm a third sergeant in the infantry,
And I'm a section commander.
I have 6 troupers under me.
We will always go chiong sua (act off charging up a hill to attack).
Throuhgout the two years, we went (to a lot of) overseas training,
Forests and jungle training.
Because we are infantry.
We are specialize in walking in the trees.
I feel like yours is the most traditional (way) of what you think of army.
Next question.
What are the different phases in NS besides BMT and ORD?
The moment I go BMT, during admin time in the night,
I straight away set the alarm.
"Guys! 736 days to ORD!" (This was my) first day.
How many people beat you up after that?
Oh I think 13 (people) because (it is) a 14 men bunk.
At least for me, the traditional phases in army is,
BMT is two months.
There's the BTP which is the physical training phase.
(It is) another two months, so you do four months
Then (for) BP, you will do for another two weeks.
That's for your BMT training.
Then afterwards, depending on where you go,
You either go unit or command school.
Which is SCS or OCS.
In between SCS and OCS, there are different phases as well.
So afterwards you go back to unit and ORD.
After BMT, I just go to the air force school and unit straight away.
Then, I wait for time to pass (and) they give me my rank.
[Rainier] I think air force and navy uses more brain.
[Mandon] Ya, it's more specialized. [Rainier] I think air force and navy uses more brain.
For police it's not BMT because 'M' in BMT stands for military training.
For us, it's a slight tweak. It's BPT.
Basic police training.
BBT (is) bubble tea?
[Everyone] B P T.
[Bolin] Oh. [Everyone] B P T.
Three to four months is the BPT, basic police training.
After that, we got our vocation.
There's another in-camp training for two to three months.
Once that training ends, we pass out.
Not we pass out (but it's) passing out ceremony.
Straight away from then to the end of my NS life, it's me being a policeman.
Is the NS experience exactly like 'Ah Boys To Men'?
I feel like certain aspects of 'Ah Boys To Men', like the people you meet inside are quite accurate.
There's the stupid and wayang (act smart) ones.
AIya, every batch also have.
No la, I think (it's) a bit less fairy tale than 'Ah Boys To Men'.
Sometimes, you don't have the character development.
[Rainier] That's true. (x2)
Some people (is) just they chui (incompetence) or wayang (act smart) all the way. [Rainier] That's true. (x2)
Some people (is) just they chui (incompetence) or wayang (act smart) all the way.
I mean it's just the personals that they portray that are accurate.
Other than that, some trainings not that dramatic.
But actually what you see from 'Ah Boys To Men 1 & 2',
it's about ten percent of actual infantry stuff.
If you want to find out how xiong (tough),
You can join MINDEF.
Link (of MINDEF is) at the bottom.
Next question.
Did you experience any heartbreaks through the two years of NS?
My sergeant tried to steal my wife away...
Huh?!
His rifle.
[Mandon] My rifle la.
[Bolin] Oh oh. [Mandon] My rifle la.
How did you prepare before enlisting?
Febreze.
I actually didn't know about Febreze.
I only found out about Febreze in NS.
The two weeks of confinement,
I went there with really nothing.
[Rainier] Just my phone and wallet.
[Mandon] Wah. [Rainier] Just my phone and wallet.
For myself, I didn't cut hair for five (to) six months.
I kept it until (it's long).
Photo!
[Hafeez] You know Justin Bieber had that super long hair last time? Something like that.
[Everyone] Oh. [Hafeez] You know Justin Bieber had that super long hair last time? Something like that.
I think the cutting (of) hair part is very important also.
Because when you go inside there, they shave you like sheep.
Yo, they press the thing in your head.
You know Rose? Rose is the girl who does the thing.
The auntie?
[Rainier] The auntie. Her name is Rose.
[Mandon] The auntie (has) no chill. [Rainier] The auntie. Her name is Rose.
Even if you cut your hair before the thing,
So I cut my hair two days (before) and it grows very fast.
It grew out (and) I still have to pay the two bucks.
She take the shaver like that.
This is your head (and) she put the shaver like (shows example).
[Rainier] Ya, she dig into your skin.
[Mandon] Like that. [Rainier] Ya, she dig into your skin.
[Rainier] She dig into your skin. Wah.
[Mandon] My friend ear kena (got) cut. [Rainier] She dig into your skin. Wah.
(We) should call her torn.
[Rainier] No, she is a rose because she got torns (and) she will poke you.
[Mandon] Ya. (x4) [Rainier] No, she is a rose because she got torns (and) she will poke you.
How well were you able to adjust to the system and if you are unfit, how did you get used to life in NS?
Let me just say that, I think I was the most unfit one here because I was BP batch.
How did I adjust?
I didn't.
Everyday was just running (x4).
But, I would say that it's good.
During NS, I lost like 25 kg in the two months.
That is something that I was pretty proud of.
If you are unfit and worried, you (can) just go to the PTP phase (and) you'll become fitter.
Confirm you go NS, you will become fitter.
Because there's a fix routine for a lot of things (such as) physical training,
Regular exercises, good diet, and lights out timing is fixed also.
More or less you'll get enough rest for the day.
All these three things combine, you'll confirm become a very healthy version of yourself.
Wah solid question. How are the meals?
(It) depends on camp.
My last unit was in Maju Camp.
Maju Camp is the place where they try all the new stuffs.
The cookhouse was equivalent to a canteen.
Every Tuesday got satay,
[Rainier] Bak Kut Teh, nasi lemak, and lontong.
[Bolin] Bak Kut Teh? [Rainier] Bak Kut Teh, nasi lemak, and lontong.
[Rainier] Legit. (x2)
[Bolin] What the. [Rainier] Legit. (x2)
[Mandon] Why got lontong? [Rainier] Legit. (x2)
[Rainier] Legit. (x2)
No matter which stage of NS I'm in,
The only thing I'm looking forward to is breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Or (when) I go outfield, you know the ration?
Eh, the ration nice.
I only look forward to the ration.
A lot of people says that the NS food sucks.
The only thing you have to worry about,
Is the mystery meat from BMT.
It's like cubes of mystery meat in sauce.
Then everyday the sauce change.
Ya, then I'm like 'Is it they just wash and change the sauce?'
Then I'm (Disgusted).
Did you experience any paranormal activities?
When you go toilet at night, you must go with your buddy.
Ya.
But then, that time my buddy was on crutches.
I went alone, around 3am to 4am.
I went to the toilet.
I was taking a shit (and) using my phone because (I'm) scared.
I use (my) phone, then halfway, I heard a sound.
The sound was 'psst' (and) it was quite far away.
Oh, I thought it is the (bidet) to wash the butt.
No, we don't have.
It was at regular intervals. (Imitates sound)
[Mandon] After that (I said), 'Don't play, don't mess'.
[Bolin] (It) sounds like someone calling you. [Mandon] After that (I said), 'Don't play, don't mess'.
[Bolin] (It) sounds like someone calling you.
[Mandon] Ya, it's like 'Eh bro'. [Bolin] (It) sounds like someone calling you.
[Mandon] Ya, it's like 'Eh bro'.
(I was) using my phone.
Then I'm like 'Don't mess'.
(I also) plug in earpiece and on (the volume) louder.
Wah, I play and I told myself 'Okay, okay. Chill ah, chill'.
Then, I opened (the door) and walked out.
I washed my hands.
I heard the sound damn near (to) my ear, it's like 'psst'. (Imitates distance)
I turned to the right,
(It was) an air freshener.
(Laughs) What the.
During field camp, when we were doing the 16-click route march,
We stopped by this abandon village.
It was houses and stuff,
Apparently, someone took a dump on a banana tree.
My commanders brought pillows and in the next morning,
They saw that the pillows had footsteps of mud.
It was not just on the pillows, it was on the walls also.
It was super (x2) weird.
Everybody had to evacuate that place because they found out.
They quickly do some prayers and everything, and just zao (leave) from there.
(In) NS, (if) you are the kind that don't believe in ghosts and paranormal,
Just shrink your ego and be pantang (taboo).
If they say don't do, there are reasons for you not to do it.
Don't try to be gung ho (unthinkingly enthusiastic) and don't care.
You just pee everywhere and spit anywhere.
(It is) better to be safe than sorry.
What happens if I don't get along with my platoon mates?
I would say if you don't like them as a person, at least respect what they are doing,
Or at least have mutual respect that you guys are here together and you have to get the job done.
This is a team game.
If you don't know how to play team game then,
You and the rest of your platoon mates will be punished.
You can don't get along,
But you just tahan (endure) a bit for that two years (and) get along.
After that ORD, (you can say) bye and it's fine.
What happens when people do not bury their shit during outfield?
Wah (x2).
I just want to quickly give you one story.
This is a mega story.
That bloody guy, I won't say your name.
But if you see this, you know I'm talking about you.
In SCS Professional Team, which is a few months before I pass out as a sergeant.
We have our one last training.
The training is (where) we send some of the guys to attack the next company,
Then, some of guys stay back to defend and the other company come attack us.
But before we have that exercise, we have a lunch break.
There's this one dude, during that lunch break,
He LS, lao sai (diarrhea).
We are on the hill,
He go to the very top (of the hill) where no one can see.
He see people (but) people don't see him.
Then, he give a one time good one.
It's all watery.
He never dig because he cannot (endure) already,
(He) just let the shit come out.
He never do anything (or) clean.
(He) just put the tissue paper like icing.
Then, he go back to defend.
When the bravo came to attack us,
They leopard crawled.
Then, (they) kena (hit) onto the shit.
They complained to our CO, the boss of the three companies.
They said 'Eh walao, they shit never (clean) and now I kena (suffered)'.
By about 5pm, everyone balik kampung (return home),
End of commission training (and) 'Yay, last training already. Finally can graduate as sergeant.'
Until 5am, we still kena (suffer) tekan (treated harshly).
Our OC (Officer Commanding) came and said 'Sergeant major, why your men like that, don't know how to keep their shit?'.
Nevermind. No one owned up. The person don't want to own up.
Our OC (Officer Commanding) said 'En Encik, your men don't own up.'
'Nevermind Encik, go and use your hands to clean up the place, and we zao (leave).'
So our encik go over,
Use his hands, go down, and put (the shit) inside his shirt.
All of us were really dramatic. I swear to god, it's real.
I tell you, he dig (x2).
We are like 'Encik, no'. Wah, we cry.
Then some of us said 'Faster, own up!'.
Wah, I tell you we (were) drama.
[Bolin] (It was) really drama.
[Hafeez] For real? [Bolin] (It was) really drama.
[Hafeez] (It's) like a movie.
[Bolin] Really, for real. [Hafeez] (It's) like a movie.
He dig (x2), then he said 'All of you, go back y'all die'.
(When we) went back, we died.
Make sure you shit already must cover. Please (x2).
Next question.
Have you encountered any wild animals (such as wild boars) during outfields?
Eh, it's actually quite common.
One time (there was) a field camp, we dig shell scraps.
In the middle of the night, some people just naked (and) sleep.
Because (it is) hot and they want to dry (their uniforms). They don't want to wear and it becomes wet.
So, they slept.
One of my man, the wild boar ran and dropped itself (the shell scrap).
Because the shell scrap is dig inside,
So, it ran at night and didn't know.
(It) dropped inside and cannot come out.
Then he (was) inside with the wild boar.
The wild boar (Imitates sound effect), then he (Imitates scream).
(He) cannot come out.
[Bolin] Everyone (was) like 'Why suddenly so noisy'. [Hafeez] Shag, damn scared.
In the end, (did) he or the wild boar come out first?
I don't know.
I only know when I wake up, (Imitates reaction & scenario).
What's the toughest training or exercise?
In OCS, there's this thing called Exercise Scorpion King.
Basically, as a cadet, you have to dig your own shell scrap.
Which is what you did in your BMT and fire trenches.
The thing about fire trench is,
If you are buddied together with somebody who is shorter,
You don't have to dig so much.
But, my buddy was as tall as you.
So, I had to dig a 1.9m deep fire trench.
I'm so short,
But I still have to dig for him because we (are) together.
I tanked this whole fire trench.
We dig (and) dig,
Then, he puke (and) don't know what drama.
Legit. I'm the one who tanked the digging.
Because after two hours,
He pass out.
[Rainier] (It was) not a pass out parade, he really pass out.
[Mandon] Huh? [Rainier] (It was) not a pass out parade, he really pass out.
[Bolin] Shit. [Rainier] (It was) not a pass out parade, he really pass out.
[Bolin] Shit.
[Rainier] So, I have to dig the thing for him.
[Bolin] Oh my god. [Rainier] So, I have to dig the thing for him.
[Hafeez] Is he a known chao geng (someone who feign illness or injury)? [Rainier] So, I have to dig the thing for him.
[Hafeez] Is he a known chao geng (someone who feign illness or injury)?
No, he (is) just weak.
I don't know, maybe (there is) no air in the sky.
(It is) too high already.
[Bolin] Eh, hello.
[Rainier] How does it feel to be close to the atmosphere? [Bolin] Eh, hello.
[Bolin] Hello! [Rainier] How does it feel to be close to the atmosphere?
The oxygen (is) really lesser,
Sometimes it's really easier to pass out.
Any advice you will want to give to new or upcoming recruits?
For people I know who are about to go to NS,
My juniors or siblings,
I would tell them (to) just do their best.
It takes up about two years of your life.
I would not even recommend on the other hand of the spectrum,
Where you just do the minimum.
If you do the minimum, you will be posted to a job where it's less fulfilling.
Where your tasks or job scopes is really (the) bare minimum.
If you have to spend almost two years of your life doing something lame or not as exciting,
When else can you do these things for your nation,
Or experience military (and) police life.
It's a very (good) opportunity.
You just do your best (and) gain as much as possible,
Or as much experiences from NS.
Sure, it's going to be a painful two years,
But it will be a very good story to tell, don't know how many years down the road.
There's reason why a lot of guys when they meet, they talk about NS.
Basically just to be your best self and make friends.
NS is a place that you meet friends from all walks of life.
To end it off, I feel that whoever is going to go NS,
I think just don't think too much, go in and embrace it.
Just enjoy man, it's going to be a fun two years. Confirm plus chop.
Thank you guys for watching this episode of AskTSL.
Comment down below if you have any questions or topics you guys want us to cover next.
As usual, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe.
And...what about the bell?
The bell is here.
No, oh. I say the bell?
Ya. (x2)
You say the bell.
[Bolin] Like, share, and subscribe.
[Hafeez] Oh. [Bolin] Like, share, and subscribe.
Ring the notification bell and watch our other videos over there.
Bye!
Wait (x2), you say what?
[Rainier] Nevermind, you knock it down, Sergeant, knock it down.
[Bolin] You say ring the notification bell. [Rainier] Nevermind, you knock it down, Sergeant, knock it down.
[Rainier] Nevermind, you knock it down, Sergeant, knock it down.