MANGKOK GUIDE TO SPF Enlistment 2017
Before enlisting into SPF, I had lots of questions and I thought I'd write this for all the people who are going to enlist in SPF for NS, now and in the future.
Things to bring/wear on enlistment:
- Wear a decent shirt & jeans for oath taking (Long pants, must really emphasise on this, because you might not receive your logistics (SPF issued items) yet, usually its on day 1 la but you might never know what can go wrong on their side)
- enough underwear for 10 days (if not enough nvm, can wash)
- Singlets (3 white to wear under your no. 3 as well as book out attire)* (you won't be wearing NO.3 soon, just 1 or 2 will do to wear under your walk out attire)
- Qualification certificates (This, and your PES printout with your bank account statement)
- Pen & paper (writing materials, recommend bringing a small notepad) (they will be provided)
- SHAVER, DEODORANT* & other toiletries (they will provide toiletries and shaver, although is a shitty one - just to let you guys know to help you guys cut down on luggage)
- A basket for your toiletries (very important) (this will make your life so much easier)
- Magiclean Wiper Dry Sheet (And if you have room to spare, the stick as well)*# (bunk inspection starts even during confinement week, so just bring magiclean to make your life easier) PM me if you wanna know the 'hot corners' of bunk inspection but then at most kena pump or other forms of PT, nothing bad if you at least show the effort of cleaning your bunk)
- Kiwi & lint-free cloth* (to polish your boots, they will issue Starwax and please avoid like the plague, Kiwi Black and Kiwi Clear if you really wanna shine your boots)
- 8 hangers at least (if you like being neat, if not 6 will do) (bring those metal ones instead of plastic ones, they are smaller and easier to pack)
- Plastic bags for storing your used clothes (there will be a lot) (ZIP LOCK BAGS! You will need it in your next book in anyways to pack every single clothing items in a zip lock bag.)
- A torch light* (either you pass this back to your parents when you meet them during lunch, or they will confiscate it. You don't need this)
- Home clothes to sleep in, one or two sets (not a must, but personally I found it more comfortable) (during confinement week, bring a pair; 1 to last for 1 week for hygiene purpose lah)
- Febreeze (Any scent will do, I personally found the double strength one smelling the best)* (Febreeze is your friend, legit.)
- Washing powder, stain remover & scrub^
* indicates this is not mentioned in the enlistment letter.
^ I recommend bringing washing powder, stain remover and a scrub to hand wash your clothes.
# Do not cheap out and buy the $2 ones from Daiso, they do not work as well and will really impact your room's cleanliness
Every bunk holds 10 men. Do not bring an over-sized bag on enlistment day because you do not want to try stuffing two large bags into your cupboard. The FIs will expect you to do that. (You can shove it under your bed, 'what they cannot see, they cannot scold' and speaking of which, never throw away your shoeboxes that you received, its very useful if you know how to organise your stuff by using the boxes)
Choose your bed carefully. Generally all beds are fine, but the beds at the far ends are a little hotter and the middle beds are cold AF. For some squads you will not be able to choose your own bed. So I recommend bringing a pair of long pants to sleep in if you get cold easily. The blankets at HTA are good, but they are small and don't really keep you very warm. (Second from the last is legit the best bed, good mix of stealth and comfort)
Hair matters
Shave everyday or you will definitely die a horrible death.
I suggest you cut your hair a day or two before enlistment. Make sure you cut it extremely short, what I did was I cut it a day before enlistment and asked for no 1 army style. You may or may not do as I do, it's your choice. If you let the barber cut your hair, you will have to pay $2, your hair will stick to your skin and you will feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable before you get to take a bath/wash your hair in the evening. (And expect to pay $2 every two weeks for haircut, you will still have to do it as a squad whether you like it or not)
Uniforms
There is a certain way to iron your uniform. Make sure there are ZERO creases on your shirt or trousers. The lines must be VERY visible. For your trousers make sure the line ends all the way up to the waist of your pants , on both the front and rear. Generally during confinement you will not be wearing your no.3, and your FI will not expect your uniform to be in top condition just yet, however, if you are really unclear on how to iron your uniform, ask and it shall be given unto you. Seriously though, your FI will teach you how to iron your uniform if you just ask.
CAMERA PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN HTA. At least for trainees, just buy a cheap $50 Nokia phone and you should be fine. In my opinion, buying a non camera smartphone is a complete waste of money as the battery will not last long and you are not allowed a PowerBank. (Would suggest those Xiaomi Redmi 4X/Note 4 because of their 4000mah battery. I own a Note 4 and it lasted me throughout confinement week with 7 hours of usage time over the span of 2 weeks)
Clocks
Bring an alarm clock, you will need it. For those without one, go to a clock shop and ask for the NS alarm clock, it's super cheap and really loud and useful.
A watch will be useful, but after a while you will find it a hassle as during PT sessions you will have to take it off. But for those who want one, you will need to get it in either black, grey or dark blue. Otherwise, you won't be able to wear it. (Just wear a watch, its really useful if you don't want to be late to assemble downstairs with the rest of your squad as other bunks might be earlier and your bunk will be later and the blame game will start if anything happens)