Guards / Commandos / Rangers / NDU FAQ
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Originally posted by H&G:
Hi,During my time, typically A level batch in take was Dec. I was from the poly batch which was on Jul. Need the recent CDOs to confirm what is the practice now?
I guess it is still on Dec? Cos i heard from my friend that if you got into CDO from JC, you usually only have only one week of holidays after the A levels before going in. Ouch..
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I went for the vocational assessment for NDU. The instructor told me each intake, 600 will be asked to come for the assessment but 120 will be chosen, which is 20%. If day 50 people, it will be 12 days.
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Originally posted by Linear141:
I guess it is still on Dec? Cos i heard from my friend that if you got into CDO from JC, you usually only have only one week of holidays after the A levels before going in. Ouch..
Hi, I am currently an NSF in Cdo. Im from JC batch. its only on dec if u fail your napfa ( failure to get at least silver) which the the ptp phrase. BMT will start normally in early feb.
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Hi, I am new to this forums and i wish to ask a few things about commandos. Sorry if i sound noobish here hope u guys could help me out! My NS is still rather far, I'm in year 3 of my poly and graduating only in april.
I basically want to go to a specialised course either commando or officers as i want to make full use of the time in NS to train myself physically and mentally.
1. what does CDO mean?
2. do poly students have good chances of going commando course?
3. does the batch intake affect my chances? (i heard commando intakes are feb and dec)
4. what are the main things in being a commando?
5. how is the selection process like?
Thanks in advance I think some of my questions may not be fully clear as I am really new to all the NS information!
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Originally posted by Derricklimsy:
Hi, I am new to this forums and i wish to ask a few things about commandos. Sorry if i sound noobish here hope u guys could help me out! My NS is still rather far, I'm in year 3 of my poly and graduating only in april.
I basically want to go to a specialised course either commando or officers as i want to make full use of the time in NS to train myself physically and mentally.
1. what does CDO mean?
2. do poly students have good chances of going commando course?
3. does the batch intake affect my chances? (i heard commando intakes are feb and dec)
4. what are the main things in being a commando?
5. how is the selection process like?
Thanks in advance I think some of my questions may not be fully clear as I am really new to all the NS information!
You'll learn what every other soldier learns: how to eat snake.
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got so bad until we must do that? haha!
Anyway, i left out a question, my degree is 3.5 both sides, is there any limit for eyesight?
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Originally posted by Derricklimsy:
Hi, I am new to this forums and i wish to ask a few things about commandos. Sorry if i sound noobish here hope u guys could help me out! My NS is still rather far, I'm in year 3 of my poly and graduating only in april.
I basically want to go to a specialised course either commando or officers as i want to make full use of the time in NS to train myself physically and mentally.
1. what does CDO mean?
2. do poly students have good chances of going commando course?
3. does the batch intake affect my chances? (i heard commando intakes are feb and dec)
4. what are the main things in being a commando?
5. how is the selection process like?
Thanks in advance I think some of my questions may not be fully clear as I am really new to all the NS information!
CDO stands for commando. Wonder if the training is still the same in SOCT, but usually the basic was 9 months, 6 day jumps and 4 night jumps, and you get the red beret at passing out parade...may get posted to other units/cross train, otherwise in 1CDO. 10CDO for reservists. Physically have to be very fit... eg. 2.4km run in 8 minutes.....10km FBO in 50min. Eyesight best with perfect vision. May have to go for IQ test....If really want to learn something in NS, dont opt for officer course (OCT)....you will spend too much time in office.....that's why they are called officers. For the 2.5 years, u will probably learn: unarmed combat, weapons training, IFC, intel, op, com, equipment repair, infiltraion, analysis, strategic planning/design, topo, survival, vehicles and boats, demolition,....etc.....teamwork very important. Boys usually go for cdo, navy seal, sas etc are just for prestige (ie: want others' respect) basically, and that's not the right attitude. Amry training is to improve your chances of survival during adverse conditions, nothing to do with patriotism. For poly student intake, got to check with others, not sure about this.
Good luck in NS!
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thanks! I guess the only way for me to get in is to pray hard im selected right?
Fitness wise im okay with the toughness and i want to push myself in a more positive environment too, everyone push tgt more encouraging! I only worry i wont be selected for CDO due to either my poly timings/not perfect eyesight. =/
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Originally posted by Derricklimsy:
Hi, I am new to this forums and i wish to ask a few things about commandos. Sorry if i sound noobish here hope u guys could help me out! My NS is still rather far, I'm in year 3 of my poly and graduating only in april.
I basically want to go to a specialised course either commando or officers as i want to make full use of the time in NS to train myself physically and mentally.
1. what does CDO mean?
2. do poly students have good chances of going commando course?
3. does the batch intake affect my chances? (i heard commando intakes are feb and dec)
4. what are the main things in being a commando?
5. how is the selection process like?
Thanks in advance I think some of my questions may not be fully clear as I am really new to all the NS information!
1. Commando
2. They have equal chances as there are 2 intakes per year. one is in feb, for mostly the jc students. Another is in Aug, mainly for poly/ite grads.
3. No
4. Airborne, ambush, assualt, offensive.
5. you will need to be selected for the Vocational assessment, of which 250+ will be chosen from a pool of 1000+ candidates.
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Hi. i would like to know roughly of the percentage chance of me getting into NDU. i went for the VA and told him i was interested in joining NDU. i did 14 pull ups, 248cm broadjump and was able to swim during the test. im kind of small size but i met i height requirement. as for weight im 55kg short of 1kg to meet the requirement. so do i stand a high chance at getting in? i also had gold for napfa. thanks!
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Hi recently I went for Commando VA around end July, how long do I have to wait for the VA results to reach me. I'm in the A levels batch by the way. Thank you
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Hi Pathfinder,
Well from what i know, JC batch has 2 intakes depending on your napfa. If you get silver and above, should be feb. If fail or bronze, then its is in dec. Since letter should be sent out about two months before enlistment for commando, im sure you can do the maths. If no letter by then then you can either check NS portal or phone up CMPB to check if commando wants you. Goodluck!:)
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Hi may I know how many leaders are chosen from a batch of divers? And what is the life of ndu after they get their combat diver badge?
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Originally posted by equlus84:
Q: Most important question....What is in GCC?
A: GCC varies from batches to batches and it is usually up to the individual RSM/ CO of the unit to define what the components are in the GCC.
1) runs: 5,6,7,8,9,10 KM run with the test runs of 7,9,10 KM. The requirement of 10KM run is 60mins for men and 50mins for commanders. If I did not remember wrongly there is also a 10KM FBO run if I am not wrong.>> If I recall correctly during my time it was 10km in 45mins.
4) Weapons: Like all infantry men, Guardsmen must also learn all the weapons used in SAF. SAR-21, M-16, LAW, M203, these section weapons will be taught and there will be some live firing.>> other than this, we were taught how to use 84 etc
we were also request to test new weapons at that time
what other weapons, not for discussion :)
Q: Oh, I almost forgot, what are Guards anyway?
A: Well, this question the author have been also pondering it for very long. In theory, Guards are supposed to be heli-borne infantry, that are inserted into enemy terrain to capture a vantage point crucial for gaining a tactical advantage. Being more strike oriented but Guards do not fight in small clandestine units. Be expected to do a little more walking as you may not see the tonners so frequently, as tonners can only move in unless an axis is secured. We are structured very much like the infantry and the author himself at times do not see any difference between GDS and INF.>> I know the answer where the CDO, GDS, INF location and working procedure. However regret to inform you I can't reveal how the whole formation work as this is classified information. Look at it this way, the whole SAF must work as a team. Each of this group in the team have a role to play. Even with the rivalry between the GDS and CDO at the end of the day all must work as a team when the time come.
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Hey any commandos out here? please answer my question. How long do I have to wait for the enlistment letter after I went for the commando VA at Hendon? I went for mine on 27th July so yup, how long do I have to wait for it to come? And what's the intake month for A levels batch and considering that I've passed my physical test in school? thanks.
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Erm I've been posted to mono-intake 3SIR, is it possible to be posted into guards after my BMT? Or any other unit that is. Please tell me if ya know thanks.
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Originally posted by Pathfinder07:
Hey any commandos out here? please answer my question. How long do I have to wait for the enlistment letter after I went for the commando VA at Hendon? I went for mine on 27th July so yup, how long do I have to wait for it to come? And what's the intake month for A levels batch and considering that I've passed my physical test in school? thanks.
Concentrate on your upcoming examinations first, don't bother about your enlistment first. When your enlistment is finalized, the letter will come.
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@Pathfinder: your letter should arrive around late september to October.
i heard from my friend who is gonna ord mid of next year that commando life suck, seriously they pay a bit of risk pay more to him and i don't see him for 4 months+ due to his battalion training. 4 months of hell and lots of chiong sua and atech for a word pride. imo i think pride is not worth it at all, come rp lepak!
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nato 556,
The number of jumps you mention above is incorect. It is now 5 jumps to pass BAC (basic airborne course), not 10 which was the previous requirement.
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Rakosi710,
You have no idea the fun we have being commandos. We get paid to shoot straight, to keep fit and look good, to jump out of planes. Not to mention to dive in the deep blue ocean.
You didn't see your friend who is in the commandos because he was busy with overseas training all the time, shaking hands or high fives with US Navy Seals, British SAS, etc.
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Sohskd,
You know what if you become a commando first you can still go to NDU later. In fact you will need to go to NDU to attend the Basic Diver course before you can go for selection to be trained as a commando underwater demolition team member.
Of course by the time you become a commando you would have already cleared the Demolition Commander's Course.
Best time of my life was to blow things up with C4, TNT, dynamics, etc. I still remember the exercise where we were trained to cut a tree down with explosives in such a way that it would fall exactly at the direction you want it to.
Using explosives underwater is entirely a different experience altogether.
We use condoms to prevent water and sand getting into the barrel, we also use condom to water proof the igniters
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Hi guys,
My 1st post here, would like to know some stuff regarding NDU. Hope you guys/laojiaos can enlighten me! :D
Earlier this year I responded to NDU's VA and did reasonably okay. I passed all the visual/auditory/breathing tests. Physicals were kinda a breeze, 22 pull-ups and 248cm for broadjump. IQ tests were all pretty simple as well. Currently, I'm a PES A.
However I just went for a heart scan a few days back and docs discovered I have mild MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse), but --- thankfully it is asymptomatic. Only a slight heart clicking sound, but the heart valve could leak.
Doc said I might be down-PES from A to B, and advised me to not pursue combat units. But then again he added I'm fit for vigorous excercises and recommended OCS instead.
I've been pretty fit. NAPFA's always a gold. 2.4km's averaging under 10mins etc, broadjumps above 245cm. On top of that, I'm a regular 10K, 12K and 21K runner. I've had overseas diving experiences and furthermore I'm an active sportsman in my JC.
IOn top of that, I've not had any experiences with chest pains, palpitations, breathlessness / whatever symptoms those diagnosed with MVP usually have.
I'm pretty much interested in NDU. But can some kind soul tell me would it still be possible to enter NDU given my status?
Thanks in advance! :)
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Originally posted by suppabros:
Hi guys,
My 1st post here, would like to know some stuff regarding NDU. Hope you guys/laojiaos can enlighten me! :D
Earlier this year I responded to NDU's VA and did reasonably okay. I passed all the visual/auditory/breathing tests. Physicals were kinda a breeze, 22 pull-ups and 248cm for broadjump. IQ tests were all pretty simple as well. Currently, I'm a PES A.
However I just went for a heart scan a few days back and docs discovered I have mild MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse), but --- thankfully it is asymptomatic. Only a slight heart clicking sound, but the heart valve could leak.
Doc said I might be down-PES from A to B, and advised me to not pursue combat units. But then again he added I'm fit for vigorous excercises and recommended OCS instead.
I've been pretty fit. NAPFA's always a gold. 2.4km's averaging under 10mins etc, broadjumps above 245cm. On top of that, I'm a regular 10K, 12K and 21K runner. I've had overseas diving experiences and furthermore I'm an active sportsman in my JC.
IOn top of that, I've not had any experiences with chest pains, palpitations, breathlessness / whatever symptoms those diagnosed with MVP usually have.
I'm pretty much interested in NDU. But can some kind soul tell me would it still be possible to enter NDU given my status?
Thanks in advance! :)
When you confirmed your medical diagnoistics, remember to update CMPB.
Many seasonal runners have been RIP during a run and ippt, due to heart failure.
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By the way, it helps a little in the commando VA if you were a biology student.
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Hi everyone, I'm seriously new and I have some questions pertaining to the commandos. Before that, a great thank you to the veterans such as Gedanken, jus-tea, H&G, Bryann816a and many others. I'm particularly impressed with the unity among the few of you about the experiences shared and the underscoring of the meaning of NS which I, though far from experienced, cognitively agree with.
I'm currently in J2 and attended the VA for commando in July; I expect that the enlistment letter will come in the coming few weeks. But I'm currently assuming that I will be enlisted, considering how during the interview at Hendon the interviewer assured me of "high chances" of getting in, and I tried to show a positive attitude during the assessment. Ok, to keep things terse:
1) From the little knowledge I have of the Commando Section Leaders' Course (CSLC), it tends to use physical benchmarks to evaluate the suitability of a potential section leader. The Physical Readiness Test, the Commando Tasks test, and some obstacle course after a 10km run are part of this course, am I right? I vaguely remember some comment in this thread along the lines of: "Section leaders not selected for physical fitness but more of leadership qualities". However this conflicts with what I know. Could someone who has undergone this course or have some RELIABLE knowledge on it share with me their specific experiences and possibly what the trainers look out for in a potential leader? Is it really about physical ability or about the attitude, or both?
2) While this may sound ambitious, I personally hope to become a commando officer. From what I've heard, only the best of the best that pass the CSLC have a chance to be chosen. Sorry if this query may overlap with the one above, but is there any big difference between a commando officer and a normal graduand of the CSLC? I mean what is the extra effort/quality that is required to be exerted to rise up to that rank? From the interview at Hendon, the interviewer reassured me that getting into OCS was "very easy", and all that was required for a good chance was "a gold in your IPPT". While I would not want to question the credibility of the information of regulars, is that a white lie to tell me that I can get into OCS as long as I have to will to get in? I mean my intuition tells me that the road to a Commando Officer is not easy at all. I have to be pragmatic.
3) This may sound ignorant. This question is about the physical rigour of Commando BMT (for a start). I would like to start training up for the BMT but I'm slightly lost as to which direction to head towards. Is it more about endurance or strength? When I go the gym I like to do heavy weights with low reps, but according to my friend, that is practically useless. It seems that I'm better off doing pushups and stuff that have high reps and lower intensity. And lots of running. But from what I know the weight of the equipment is also no joke either. So how should I train? 3 days of weights and 3 days of cardio a week, is that enough?
Thanks for reading through the above and I hope you all can answer my questions.Thank you!
Cheers,
Starke