Woah, those are a lot of questions, and quite a lengthy post. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability...
However I do have a few other questions I need clarifications on. Advice would be nice.
1) Is it true that SOC only accepts members from odd numbered intakes? If it is yes that sia la because I am aiming to be a PTT or a K9 handler, and I am (obviously) from an even numbered intake
Unfortunately, you are right, SOC only accepts members from odd number intakes for PTT, you might still be in luck for K9 though. There is another way to go into PTT if you are from an odd intake, and that would be to qualify for OCC, but more on this later.
2) The test in CMPB will affect vocation selection or not? It is stated it is one of the factors taken into account ( but also possibly its an illusion of choice ) but I also heard that you will get another chance to pick your top 3 vocations for NS during POBC. Is this true or not?
I'm not too sure about this one, as when I enlisted I didn't have the vocation selection choice during my medical checkup. But you will get another choice when you are about a month away from Passing Out, so you shouldn't be too worried about this.
3) Would doing very well during POBC increases your chance of getting the vocation you want? What can I do in order to increase my chances of getting into desired vocations especially for PTT? I am guessing good ippt and shooting score is a must.
Definitely doing well during POBC will get you your desired vocation. Your "score" during POBC is determined by your final IPPT score (you will take 3 in the course of POBC), final shooting score, and the two law tests. The law tests are the easiest to score in my opinion, so definitely try to score there. For PTT, odd intakes will have a separate test. One day, closer to your POP date, there will be a bunch of vocations that will come down and interview you. SOC will have a fitness test, where you will have to complete a series of physical tests, one of them is pull ups, I can't remember off the top of my head what the number was to qualify.
4) PTT got any myopia restrictions?
They do, SOC requires you to get contacts, if you can't wear them, then they won't let you in.
All in all, I am very excited to enter into SPF NS and feel that I can survive in POBC without much issue, possibly even excel at it. However, what I am most worried about is life after POBC. I want to get into a vocation that I have great interest in as it means I will put in extra effort and thus enjoy myself more. It also makes sense as the vocation accounts for like 75% of NS life and if I get into one that I do not like. GG for me liao.
Although luckily PTT is not really a popular vocation ( I think?) so maybe got chance la.
For those interested in my vocation interest. they are:
3) GRF
2) K9 Handler
1) PTT
Although I do have a question. In the SAF there is the SCS and even OCS Those that do well get sent to those leadership schools. In the SPF, only like 0- 3 from each cohort get to go to OCC and there is no SCS equivalent for the SPF ( heck even SCDF has their SCC) . If so , then I wonder what would a PNSF gain from doing well in POBC? I am curious because without any substantial gain or rewards from doing well , people are more likely to chao keng and what not. Hence, I wonder what drives some PNSF to excel despite the ridiculously low chance of getting into OCC.
I know there is a lot of questions and I do apologize for them . Getting enlisted into SPF was a big surprise for me and I had to redo my research from scratch to understand what I should expect. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Doing well in POBC will affect your future vocations, as if you get a good score, you are likely to be a Team Leader's first pick into his/her team.
For Sergeant courses, there is a new course, where 'A' level/Diploma holders will have a chance to go for it, but you have to perform well enough in your vocation to get selected for it, or so they say.
You are correct, that there really isn't much going for PNSFs, which is why you will notice that halfway through, those who were initially the most "on", will start to lose motivation, as training is super long, 14-weeks, and you might lose motivation as well. For me, personally, although I had no intention of going into OCC, I set that as my end goal, to make sure I did well in POBC. It helped me stay motivated to do well, in the final IPPT, and Law test.