Regarding signing-on and MDES scheme

[xeonboy]

Hi all,

May I check if anyone here is under the MDES scheme (meaning you're a ME) or know of people under this scheme?

I've a brother who just enlisted and wants to sign on under this scheme, cos' it pays for your uni fees and you serve 3 years in addition to your 2 years of NS, and you get a bonus lumpsum etc. The pay also looks pretty good considering some of the equivalent positions in the public sector don't even pay that much for the same position.

Is it good to join this scheme? Right now it looks enticing and wonderful, but I would like to hear the reality in case it might not be as sugar-coated as it seems. After all, serving additional 3 years in army is no joke.

In particular, do MEs work office hours or do they stay-in camp throughout the week and bookout only on weekends like all soldiers?

Just wondering. Tks!

 

[reddevil0728]

If your bro sign on just because of the money and not cause of passion, he will be damn painful

 

[xeonboy]

Tks for your reply. But seriously, how many regulars in the army sign on due to passion?
Among the regulars that I know in the past when serving NS, pretty much all of them (especially those Gen X / Y ones and not the older baby boomers generation) sign on due to financial related issues.

Also, based on the MINDEF website, I assume that once he gets a degree, it's automatically ME4 (equivalent to 2LT - LTA - CPT), which is a decent rank IMO.

 

[Crisknight]

The whole ME4 course consist of large part of OCS, + 2 or 3 parts of residential course. But of course, ME4 are exempted from SOC and some of the tougher stuff.

From what I know, a lot of ME are from units which are stayout. If you want a confirmed stayout job, air force would be one. If you are in army and navy, it might depends on unit. Junior (Senior ME) might be required to stay in. Definitely if you are posted to a ship, you have to expect sailing once in a while.

Otherwise, I don't see any reasons why ME do not work office hour, because their job scope are largely adminstrative, especially for Senior MEs.

 

[reddevil0728]

Tks for your reply. But seriously, how many regulars in the army sign on due to passion?
Among the regulars that I know in the past when serving NS, pretty much all of them (especially those Gen X / Y ones and not the older baby boomers generation) sign on due to financial related issues.

Also, based on the MINDEF website, I assume that once he gets a degree, it's automatically ME4 (equivalent to 2LT - LTA - CPT), which is a decent rank IMO.

A lot of people sign on not because of passion but because of money, doesn't mean you bro should do the same right?

Is like a lot of people smoke doesn't mean u must smoke right

 

[mgx-alander]

ME the same as others vocation oso have shitty duty like DO and shiet

sign on for $ definitely will regret, seen many ppl do that

i got a friend bro who really love planes sign on to ME plane maintenance and can tell he love the job, but is ur bro 1?

 

[Kyoji83]

Air Force = Stay Out? Maybe yes but you miss out the shift work. Try getting a public transport home/work in the middle of the night.

The whole ME4 course consist of large part of OCS, + 2 or 3 parts of residential course. But of course, ME4 are exempted from SOC and some of the tougher stuff.

From what I know, a lot of ME are from units which are stayout. If you want a confirmed stayout job, air force would be one. If you are in army and navy, it might depends on unit. Junior (Senior ME) might be required to stay in. Definitely if you are posted to a ship, you have to expect sailing once in a while.

Otherwise, I don't see any reasons why ME do not work office hour, because their job scope are largely adminstrative, especially for Senior MEs.

 

[Kyoji83]

He is signing on ME1(T) or ME4(T)?

You sure he will be sponsor for a degree & the bond is only 5 years?

Hi all,

May I check if anyone here is under the MDES scheme (meaning you're a ME) or know of people under this scheme?

I've a brother who just enlisted and wants to sign on under this scheme, cos' it pays for your uni fees and you serve 3 years in addition to your 2 years of NS, and you get a bonus lumpsum etc. The pay also looks pretty good considering some of the equivalent positions in the public sector don't even pay that much for the same position.

Is it good to join this scheme? Right now it looks enticing and wonderful, but I would like to hear the reality in case it might not be as sugar-coated as it seems. After all, serving additional 3 years in army is no joke.

In particular, do MEs work office hours or do they stay-in camp throughout the week and bookout only on weekends like all soldiers?

Just wondering. Tks!

 

[xeonboy]

He is signing on ME1(T) or ME4(T)?

You sure he will be sponsor for a degree & the bond is only 5 years?

Tks guys. Yes, according to the MINDEF website, can't remember the address.
Its under the Military Intelligence Experts scheme, since he's studying computer security and have gotten a place in NTU after NS.

So, according to the scheme, if he sign on now, he'll be ME1 during NS (due to poly student), then he'll ORD and go on to NTU with all expenses paid by SAF, then return back to SAF to serve as ME4 (based on website).

Will let him know the replies here and advise him against it.
If he wanna sign on, I assume it's wiser to make the decision again just before ORD? Don't think my parents like the idea of him staying in camp from Mon to Sat for 3 years.

 

[j_t_fusion]

Air Force = Stay Out? Maybe yes but you miss out the shift work. Try getting a public transport home/work in the middle of the night.

if your shift start/end during the wee hours, can claim taxi fare.

 

[reddevil0728]

Tks guys. Yes, according to the MINDEF website, can't remember the address.
Its under the Military Intelligence Experts scheme, since he's studying computer security and have gotten a place in NTU after NS.

So, according to the scheme, if he sign on now, he'll be ME1 during NS (due to poly student), then he'll ORD and go on to NTU with all expenses paid by SAF, then return back to SAF to serve as ME4 (based on website).

Will let him know the replies here and advise him against it.
If he wanna sign on, I assume it's wiser to make the decision again just before ORD? Don't think my parents like the idea of him staying in camp from Mon to Sat for 3 years.

More like experience BMT first

 

[Kyoji83]

If he sign on now as ME1 (due to Poly Dip), his ORD will be 5 years down the road.

There is no such thing as SAF will sponsor him a degree.

So after he pay for his own degree (5 years course), he can consider to reapply for the position of ME4.

This mean that it will be at least 10 years down the road before he can even become a ME4.

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However if he apply for scholarship now, he will go for his BMT & OCS. He will become ME4(T) & ME4(A) before he went to his degree course. After he graduate from his degree course, he will be appointed as ME4.

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Please think & ask for more information with recruitment centre.

If so easy that SAF appoint you a ME4 position & sponsor you a degree with only 5 years bond then everyone will go for it.

Why so many Regulars are so stupid that they do not want a free degree with a ME4 position but rather sign a 5 years bond with a ME1 position?

Please wake up your idea! No so good deal around!

Tks guys. Yes, according to the MINDEF website, can't remember the address.
Its under the Military Intelligence Experts scheme, since he's studying computer security and have gotten a place in NTU after NS.

So, according to the scheme, if he sign on now, he'll be ME1 during NS (due to poly student), then he'll ORD and go on to NTU with all expenses paid by SAF, then return back to SAF to serve as ME4 (based on website).

Will let him know the replies here and advise him against it.
If he wanna sign on, I assume it's wiser to make the decision again just before ORD? Don't think my parents like the idea of him staying in camp from Mon to Sat for 3 years.

 

[Kyoji83]

Can claim is one thing. Hard to claim is another thing.

if your shift start/end during the wee hours, can claim taxi fare.