MINDEF DXO (All FAQ on it)

Hello all, I'm a final year NUS student interested in being a DXO! Specifically, I wish to be in the DIS as a research analyst. However, I'm female so I have no first hand knowledge of army life, except for accounts from my bf but even then he's a "man", or from by bro.

1) May I know how long the whole recruitment process is, assuming a successful interview?

2) I see from previous posts, there's a verbal offer and then something called a G50. From what I've read, I can take those as indications of a higher likelihood of entry also? The posts seem to have 2 differing takes, hence my qn.

3) What is the average pay? I'm 2nd upper, political science grad if this matters. Around 4.5 I hope?

4) What is the culture like in the DIS? Is it still very regimental and difficult bosses? My bf tells me that most officers are aloof and think they are know-alls, with only a few exceptions LOL. But then again, my brother says HQ people tend to be nicer. So, what's it like?

Thanks in advance !!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello all, I'm a final year NUS student interested in being a DXO! Specifically, I wish to be in the DIS as a research analyst. However, I'm female so I have no first hand knowledge of army life, except for accounts from my bf but even then he's a "man", or from by bro.

1) May I know how long the whole recruitment process is, assuming a successful interview?
2) I see from previous posts, there's a verbal offer and then something called a G50. From what I've read, I can take those as indications of a higher likelihood of entry also? The posts seem to have 2 differing takes, hence my qn.
3) What is the average pay? I'm 2nd upper, political science grad if this matters. Around 4.5 I hope?
4) What is the culture like in the DIS? Is it still very regimental and difficult bosses? My bf tells me that most officers are aloof and think they are know-alls, with only a few exceptions LOL. But then again, my brother says HQ people tend to be nicer. So, what's it like?
Thanks in advance !!

The time norm from interview to formal written offer appears to be 2 - 3 months.

Pay depends on qualification and experience.

The officers tend to be very polite and nice to ladies. Ladies being the rare gender.

If you join, you are likely to find another bf.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello all, I'm a final year NUS student interested in being a DXO! Specifically, I wish to be in the DIS as a research analyst. However, I'm female so I have no first hand knowledge of army life, except for accounts from my bf but even then he's a "man", or from by bro.

1) May I know how long the whole recruitment process is, assuming a successful interview?

2) I see from previous posts, there's a verbal offer and then something called a G50. From what I've read, I can take those as indications of a higher likelihood of entry also? The posts seem to have 2 differing takes, hence my qn.

3) What is the average pay? I'm 2nd upper, political science grad if this matters. Around 4.5 I hope?

4) What is the culture like in the DIS? Is it still very regimental and difficult bosses? My bf tells me that most officers are aloof and think they are know-alls, with only a few exceptions LOL. But then again, my brother says HQ people tend to be nicer. So, what's it like?

Thanks in advance !!

1) depends on clearance level and now especially end of year and early CNY. Maybe lower your expectations to 2 months.

2) verbal offer more concrete whereas clearance they need even if for multiple candidates in case one fails or rejects.

3) around there, seems reasonable.

4) new setup, so many opportunities and depends on who you meet and what is their experience, can’t say for certain on one culture fits all. SAF sure got the aspect of regimentation.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello all, I'm a final year NUS student interested in being a DXO! Specifically, I wish to be in the DIS as a research analyst. However, I'm female so I have no first hand knowledge of army life, except for accounts from my bf but even then he's a "man", or from by bro.

1) May I know how long the whole recruitment process is, assuming a successful interview?

2) I see from previous posts, there's a verbal offer and then something called a G50. From what I've read, I can take those as indications of a higher likelihood of entry also? The posts seem to have 2 differing takes, hence my qn.

3) What is the average pay? I'm 2nd upper, political science grad if this matters. Around 4.5 I hope?

4) What is the culture like in the DIS? Is it still very regimental and difficult bosses? My bf tells me that most officers are aloof and think they are know-alls, with only a few exceptions LOL. But then again, my brother says HQ people tend to be nicer. So, what's it like?

Thanks in advance !!

if the ministry or SB find u fit the bill and would like proceed with the application,
will most likely give u the G50 form to fill in the full details so that they could do the background checks (this will also involve checking with your listed character references)

--> depending on the nature of your future work and the hiring Ministry/SB (eg those that need to deal sensitive / confidential info like MINDEF, ELD, or most of the ministry HQ level), g50 screening can take about 1-2 months on average.

if u clear the G50 screening, likely they will then give u a ball-park offer.
if things are fine, they will then need to seek onward approval from management (submission to go up to PS clearance level) before they can then formally offer

however until the formal offer is in sight, nothing is for certain.
provisional offer can still happen at the latter stages --> i have been thrgh that painful retraction whilst applying to another strict stat board

for those with experience, how brutal is the probation period for dxos? am keen for the role but hr told me the probation period is long, so am quite worried about it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

for those with experience, how brutal is the probation period for dxos? am keen for the role but hr told me the probation period is long, so am quite worried about it.

what u meant by brutal?
workload?
attrition rate?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

for those with experience, how brutal is the probation period for dxos? am keen for the role but hr told me the probation period is long, so am quite worried about it.

Brutality is not condoned.

What is long to you?

Some may consider it rather short.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what u meant by brutal?
workload?
attrition rate?

workload is fine since i am willing to work hard. but yes, attrition rate would be a concern

Originally Posted by Unregistered

workload is fine since i am willing to work hard. but yes, attrition rate would be a concern

probation is 1 year, longer than most ministries/companies.

from my experience, most bosses will give confirmation. so far, I only saw one that was mutually agreed between the boss and the probate to not confirm. due to poor attendance (family issue) and also cannot pick up the job scope.

most boss would not want to go through hiring all over again and re-train someone. so put in your dues, show good attitude and i dont see why they will not confirm you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

workload is fine since i am willing to work hard. but yes, attrition rate would be a concern

attrition part --> think may be good to get intel from the office folks that the previous person who left before u come in was how many months in service?