This week is NS50 Week! And like limpeh, most guys don’t miss our National Service days.
But for all the woman out there who have never been to an SAF or Home Team camp, here are 7 things your boyfriend/hubby may not have told you.
1. When people in the SAF talk about Chocolate bar, Crab, Mee Kia and Mee Pok, they’re not referring to food stuff.
To find out what they mean, refer to Figure 1.
2. NSmen does not refer to your brother/son/nephew/boyfriend/husband who is currently serving NS now.
NSmen refers to men who have completed their two years of National Service. (Ta dah! betcha didn’t know that!)
Those currently serving their two years of National Service are actually known as NSF ( National Servicemen Full-time).
3. eMart is actually a physical shop (not online), for servicemen to buy their personal equipment and other service-related items.
No, ladies, you can’t ask your brother/son/nephew/boyfriend/husband to buy cosmetics (unless you count camouflage face paint as a makeup item) or jewellery for you. And cannot buy rifles or weapons also. Most guys use their credits to buy sports shoes, uniform and PT (Physical training) kit.
4. Featherlite is not what you use to make love, but what you use to stick up a serviceman’s gun/rifle.
OK, limpeh know that sounds totally wrong. But, yeah, featherlight, or flanelette is a piece of cloth meant for cleaning a soldier’s rifle.
5. Encik is a term used to address a Warrant Officer, and not another food court.
Warrant Officers are specialists who have shown dedication and professionalism in their roles and have more than 10 years of service. The term “Encik” is a Malay term used to address a male warrant officer. It simply just means “Mister” in Malay.
6. The armed forces and the Home Team is not a place for women
Who say! both the Singapore Armed Forces and The Home Team have women personnel lor. Some quite chio, some quite…ok never mind…
Some women have even rose up the ranks and became high-ranking officers.
7. There’s a period in the year that we all hate
Ladies, like you, we have a period that we hate. Yours is monthly, ours is yearly. And it’s known as IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test).
The test is applicable to all eligible persons, NSFs, NSmen and regulars.
There, now you can tell your brother/son/nephew/boyfriend/husband everything that you have read here!
You can also watch this video to learn more about NS.
