HELP ! is it wise to sign on as a Army Regular Specialist?

[hopeful]

If you think you got no choice, then just go ahead and do it....just be aware of the advice given, it paints a pretty accurate picture for ex-SAF regulars

Originally Posted by Rawrrrrr!

You guys don't really get it huh, I know just serve And f off them go ahead to study is definitely a better choice, plus you can gain more experience And stuffs. But, for my case is totally different. U guys didn't see the previous posts?

You are not getting it.

Do you really think you are the first guy SAF recruits who has monetary problems and wants to hide and study your diploma while getting free lunch? Your profile about describes like 1/3 of the sign ons, it is perhaps the 2nd most common reason people sign on as specs.

What experienced bros are trying to say to you here is the risk of transition failure to pte sector accountant is very high. That’s why bros are advising that you either sign on relac one corner and stay till you retire as a 2WO or bite the bullet and work doubly hard for lower pay now and find some way to study with whatever loans and pay you earn outside. This is tougher & requires excellent time management, but it can be done.

SAF is preying on typical mindset like yours who think they can get the best of both worlds, grab the study money, serve and fcuk off and happily join the pte sector when your time is up. Guess what, they have many smarties in MINDEF who have done numerous research and studies and they know exactly what you guys are thinking and they can predict with certainty most of you will end up LLST stay in SAF for life in the end.

Personally I would not like to join the uniform forces. Only lazy people do so. Go in whole life relax one corner and let the government feed you. This is not the kind of life I want which is why I am in a private company now. Once you go in and get adjusted to their kind of relaxing taken care of life, you will find it extremely hard to survive outside.

Government don't sack people for being incompetent but they sack people for breaking the law. Enjoy the life inside super relax. No worries.

[Intercontinental]

Before judging, would you be able to let us know what is the expected lump sum and pay you speak of?

Originally Posted by Rawrrrrr!

m currently from Mono intake, Armour.

Had been thinking about signing on due to the attractive lumpsum and stable pay to fund my future studies after the 6years bond.

is it recomended to sign on as a specialist?

As im planning to get my private diploma during my service, which vocation is more slack and allow me to have more time to study? ><'

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP !

For ite grads, lump sum for combat spec is 20k and starting is about 1.8 to 1.9k.

For poly grads, lump sum for combat spec is 25k and starting is almost 2.5k already.

[Tracker]

From what the people here are saying it quite obvious which side they lean on, but you keep asking the same question over and over. I can see which path you want to take already but you just want some support in that. No one here will take you a straight path to take because we all have different drivers in life. Tommie Goh was an armour officer for 14 years and he is worth about a few hundred Million dollars, how many ex regulars can become like him? What makes him so special?

When I was 18 (back in the 90's) I wanted to raise 5K to contribute for a business and I just didn't have the cash. A friend of mine told me in a land like Singapore where cars go for a 100K a pop cash is always there just figure out how to get it. Those word sank in pretty well. Just like the guy who dropped letters into the Sentosa Cover asking for a car, its crazy but hey he tried.

Not meaning to offend but it seems that you are someone who once gets in a comfort zone would probably like to stay there. Since you are in Armour and doing okay if you're comfortable to sign on it resolves a lot of your worries. There is nothing wrong with that, people on the forum are advising you that if you want a life outside of army it would be tough, especially if your personality leans towards a comfort zone.

Think about yourself, your personality, work out your figures and decide what path you want to take. If you keep pressing for people to give you definite answers you might end up disappointed.

[Rawrrrrr!]

Thanks alot guys, I got it already.

Originally Posted by Tracker

From what the people here are saying it quite obvious which side they lean on, but you keep asking the same question over and over. I can see which path you want to take already but you just want some support in that. No one here will take you a straight path to take because we all have different drivers in life. Tommie Goh was an armour officer for 14 years and he is worth about a few hundred Million dollars, how many ex regulars can become like him? What makes him so special?

When I was 18 (back in the 90's) I wanted to raise 5K to contribute for a business and I just didn't have the cash. A friend of mine told me in a land like Singapore where cars go for a 100K a pop cash is always there just figure out how to get it. Those word sank in pretty well. Just like the guy who dropped letters into the Sentosa Cover asking for a car, its crazy but hey he tried.

Not meaning to offend but it seems that you are someone who once gets in a comfort zone would probably like to stay there. Since you are in Armour and doing okay if you're comfortable to sign on it resolves a lot of your worries. There is nothing wrong with that, people on the forum are advising you that if you want a life outside of army it would be tough, especially if your personality leans towards a comfort zone.

Think about yourself, your personality, work out your figures and decide what path you want to take. If you keep pressing for people to give you definite answers you might end up disappointed.

"There is nothing wrong with that, people on the forum are advising you that if you want a life outside of army it would be tough, especially if your personality leans towards a comfort zone." Very well said and very true...

Your future mainly depends on your character; don’t blame the job for giving you the hardship or hindrance, how big is your desire to improve yourself is the ultimate factor. Do you have ambition? If yes then it will tell you when to find a better job if your current one is hopeless.

I was a regular once, but did not lean toward any comfortable & easy time in SAF, as I got my part-time degree there and were some how awarded with some so called "most outstanding specialist" awards within my unit. Now, I am earning comfortably and providing well enough for my family.

I have never regretted my decision to join SAF. Even others disagreed, then still it was only 6 years learning route of my life, so I still had plenty left.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

"There is nothing wrong with that, people on the forum are advising you that if you want a life outside of army it would be tough, especially if your personality leans towards a comfort zone." Very well said and very true...

Your future mainly depends on your character; don’t blame the job for giving you the hardship or hindrance, how big is your desire to improve yourself is the ultimate factor. Do you have ambition? If yes then it will tell you when to find a better job if your current one is hopeless.

I was a regular once, but did not lean toward any comfortable & easy time in SAF, as I got my part-time degree there and were some how awarded with some so called "most outstanding specialist" awards within my unit. Now, I am earning comfortably and providing well enough for my family.

I have never regretted my decision to join SAF. Even others disagreed, then still it was only 6 years learning route of my life, so I still had plenty left.

My best buddy and I are very different people.

He is in the uniform services because his motto is " a relac job which pays enough to lead a comfortable life, He doesn't aspire to be rich one day"

My motto in life is "to do a job which requires me to use my brain to think and think about my work. only this kind of job will enable me to earn more and lead a much better life" Therefore I have chosen to start my career with MNC..

Not related to SAF but about comfort zone. Knew this guy from my school days, very ambitious back then and had plans about being a CEO or COO, etc. After finishing NS he went into the civil service with the reason of better hours for his part-time uni studies. After getting his degree, he somewhat became "stuck" as he had lost his ambition and became too comfortable in his job. Since then he had been inside for around 10 years.

Met him last month and he said he did apply for jobs but when one offered him, he just backed down, citing fears of moving out of his comfort zone, even though the pay is OK.

The thing here is unless one is self-disciplined, one can get easily stuck in the environment if he/she is too long inside.