so many mysteries to being a commando

[Resurrect93]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading on threads concerning commando in edmw and sgforum.

It seems so mysterious on issues like pay and process. It seems that no commando are in the forum to provide the answers juniors like us need to know!

Some answers are reliable and they are in 2006-2009, old news.. =/

I recently receive a letter to report to Hendon camp. I am excited. I would love to serve as a cdo. The only concern is I wouldn't be able to sign on as a commando.

I ask friend who is now serving NS in commando (not yet receive red beret) he advice me to sign on as WO or in AirForce.

It doesn't bother me which vacation I will serve as I have decided to sign on anyway. I decided to sign on as engineer in Air Force during my BMT.

What I would like to know is how do I sign on, if I was to be selected as cdo? during NS? after receiving red beret?

 

[reddevil0728]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading on threads concerning commando in edmw and sgforum.

It seems so mysterious on issues like pay and process. It seems that no commando are in the forum to provide the answers juniors like us need to know!

Some answers are reliable and they are in 2006-2009, old news.. =/

I recently receive a letter to report to Hendon camp. I am excited. I would love to serve as a cdo. The only concern is I wouldn't be able to sign on as a commando.

I ask friend who is now serving NS in commando (not yet receive red beret) he advice me to sign on as WO or in AirForce.

It doesn't bother me which vacation I will serve as I have decided to sign on anyway. I decided to sign on as engineer in Air Force during my BMT.

What I would like to know is how do I sign on, if I was to be selected as cdo? during NS? after receiving red beret?

Pay and process??? ain't that very transparent? I dun think it's a mystery, but rather those people dun bother coming here?

You received a letter asking you to attend VA or is it an enlistment notice? It's 2 different thing, the former just mean you got a chance of getting into Commando while the latter is you have been selected to enter.

Why wouldn't be able to sign on as a commando? Do you want to sign on as one?

Wait it's damn complicated, so have you or have you not been enlisted? Why now you say you "decided to sign on as engineer in Air Force during my BMT"?

Ask your commanders how to sign on? I am pretty sure they will know better than any of us here.

 

[Resurrect93]

Pay and process??? ain't that very transparent? I dun think it's a mystery, but rather those people dun bother coming here?

You received a letter asking you to attend VA or is it an enlistment notice? It's 2 different thing, the former just mean you got a chance of getting into Commando while the latter is you have been selected to enter.

Why wouldn't be able to sign on as a commando? Do you want to sign on as one?

Wait it's damn complicated, so have you or have you not been enlisted? Why now you say you "decided to sign on as engineer in Air Force during my BMT"?

Ask your commanders how to sign on? I am pretty sure they will know better than any of us here.

Eh. Bro. Why you so...

I don't think the pay of commando is transparent? During BMT, During course before receiving red beret and after receiving red beret as a regular or NSman.

I just receive a letter for VA, not yet selected IF it was not clear to you?

The question IS am I able to sign on before receiving red beret or can I only sign on as a cdo after receiving my red beret?

Complicated meh? I am now in poly third year. Last term. Apparently I can sign on now. I did sign up on the Air Force website a week before receiving my VA at Hendon camp and they have yet to reply.

After receiving the letter. I feel if signing on as a cdo would be as meaningful as well? Only thing is I do not know the pay. I know serving is not about pay and I am not shy to be criticized if I took pay as part of the consideration? Is because I am also somebody's son who need to give allowance and at the meantime ensure I have enough saving for myself?

 

[Noirkw]

Dont screw up the VA. Just do it seriously and you should be able to get in. Once in, try to aim for leaders course. After leaders course selection you will be shortlisted to get into SCS, from there, they will shortlist you again to get into OCS. Once you in OCS, then you are good to go to sign on if you are thinking about your future. I wouldnt suggest signing on if you can't get into OCS as a commando.

 

[chehjin]

SAF pay is very transparent. it is pretty consistent across the board, especially for NSFs.

CDO get combat pay accord to rank + vocation pay. whats so difficult to understand?

in general combat pay more than service, means it will be more than engineer in airforce (at least for the first few years)

anyway, in the past, you should sign on CDO only after you get in, else even you don't get in but you cannot break contract, especially those with scholarship involved which means you will have to be regular in some other vocation which you may or may not like. now a days, not too sure but can't be that far off as well.

but since you mentioned you decided to sign on and dun care what vocation, you should sign up once you enter NS so that you draw regular pay right from the start.

 

[reddevil0728]

Eh. Bro. Why you so...

I don't think the pay of commando is transparent? During BMT, During course before receiving red beret and after receiving red beret as a regular or NSman.

I just receive a letter for VA, not yet selected IF it was not clear to you?

The question IS am I able to sign on before receiving red beret or can I only sign on as a cdo after receiving my red beret?

Complicated meh? I am now in poly third year. Last term. Apparently I can sign on now. I did sign up on the Air Force website a week before receiving my VA at Hendon camp and they have yet to reply.

After receiving the letter. I feel if signing on as a cdo would be as meaningful as well? Only thing is I do not know the pay. I know serving is not about pay and I am not shy to be criticized if I took pay as part of the consideration? Is because I am also somebody's son who need to give allowance and at the meantime ensure I have enough saving for myself?

I think you quite mysterious.

I am so what???

Commandos NSFs are just like any other NSFs, they earn the same rank pay for their given rank, just that they get higher combat/risk pay as compared to other soldiers other than guards and CBRE (or maybe more). Maybe their promotion is faster that's it. I dun think it's vital to know all these before entering also right? If you want to know more about pay visit this website. iPrepNS - information on Preparation for National Service (Singapore). One more point to add to my previous post, nobody asked (you didn't ask) anything specifically about what you wanted to know doesn't mean nobody is here to provide the answers.

If you are talking about regulars pay, that maybe more mysterious because salary is quite a private thing, I don't think anybody would want to openly discuss their salary. Also how much one is paid varies from one regular to another, but if you visit those SAF recruitment website, I believe they will give you an idea of how much you should be expecting. If you need more information, contact them lor.

NSmen wise, if not wrong, if they call you up their ICT, your company will still pay you your salary as per normal. But if you are unemployed, you will get pro rated rank pay.

Yep in your original post, it's not clear at all you said "I recently receive a letter to report to Hendon camp. I am excited. I would love to serve as a cdo." That can mean you only get the VA letter, but can also mean you got the enlistment letter.

I believe you can sign on anytime, before you even enlist, or if you go poly, i think they even got a "scholarship" for signing on with the military. But whether they will accept you or not and whether you pass out as a commando or not is another matter.

It's complicated because you are missing bits and pieces of details and some parts of what you are saying contradicts the other parts. ok.

Define "meaningful". I think if you really choose to sign on, it's like a job, so pay is definitely a big consideration? wut? I don't get your last statement.

My advise on top of all this is I think it's a better idea to experience military life first before deciding to sign on.

 

[Resurrect93]

Dont screw up the VA. Just do it seriously can you should be able to get in. Once in, try to aim for leaders course. After leaders course selection you will be shortlisted to get into SCS, from there, they will shortlist you again to get into OCS. Once you in OCS, then you are good to go to sign on if you are thinking about your future. I wouldnt suggest signing on if you can't get into OCS as a commando.

I am very serious.. I would do it seriously and most importantly I feel is honestly!

I will still sign on even without getting into OCS. in fact I am already planning my expected allowance or salary once I enter BMT.

Want to save up wedding money. Lol!

OCS? OCS like degree, I feel is very divisive among every Singaporeans when most feel is a must and only few get them. Very divisive.

Don't want to wayang also plus I feel is a must come naturally one. if I really have the leadership ability?

 

[reddevil0728]

I am very serious.. I would do it seriously and most importantly I feel is honestly!

I will still sign on even without getting into OCS. in fact I am already planning my expected allowance or salary once I enter BMT.

Want to save up wedding money. Lol!

OCS? OCS like degree, I feel is very divisive among every Singaporeans when most feel is a must and only few get them. Very divisive.

Don't want to wayang also plus I feel is a must come naturally one. if I really have the leadership ability?

To be honest, tell us no use. What's important is they see it that way.

I say experience first. Don't regret.

OCS is like degree?????????????????? divisive?????????? like that army no need any commanders?

I think in life, for any kind of jobs, a bit wayang is necessary leh. at least that's what i feel

 

[Resurrect93]

To be honest, tell us no use. What's important is they see it that way.

I say experience first. Don't regret.

OCS is like degree?????????????????? divisive?????????? like that army no need any commanders?

I think in life, for any kind of jobs, a bit wayang is necessary leh. at least that's what i feel

IS really divisive. That is with all the sociopolitical we are enjoying now. I understand your previous post liao. I really missed out a lot of detail. Because it is just too big of a topic.

I did search on mindef website! they mention on Combantant pay being higher etc, they did state the range. they did show graph of the progress of carreer during the six years or more.

What I want to find out is more "on the ground" experiences.

So yes, you are right. What I mention wasn't very clear! I would repost in this thread tml after I wake up.

 

[reddevil0728]

IS really divisive. That is with all the sociopolitical we are enjoying now. I understand your previous post liao. I really missed out a lot of detail. Because it is just too big of a topic.

I did search on mindef website! they mention on Combantant pay being higher etc, they did state the range. they did show graph of the progress of carreer during the six years or more.

What I want to find out is more "on the ground" experiences.

So yes, you are right. What I mention wasn't very clear! I would repost in this thread tml after I wake up.

Ok, that's divisive in your own opinion, you are entitled to it. But come on la, 2 years of our life, only those people who siao on about army then will care abt this kind of things. There are instances of people in army, 1 commander, the other man, in the working world, the man is the boss, the commander is the subordinate. Divisive in what way siahz???

ok.

define "on the ground", and also you hvn't get in. later never get in then how.

 

[silvermlk]

nitec 2700
h. nitec 2900
Diploma 3100.

rank pay of 2nd Sgt after Ord in cdo

to add on. Sign on as cdo must clear sfqc. must get ranger tab. if not bye bye to u.

 

[Resurrect93]

Ok, that's divisive in your own opinion, you are entitled to it. But come on la, 2 years of our life, only those people who siao on about army then will care abt this kind of things. There are instances of people in army, 1 commander, the other man, in the working world, the man is the boss, the commander is the subordinate. Divisive in what way siahz???

ok.

Ok.

define "on the ground"

Well, different people have different definition.

Some think a few chart and graph is it
And some believe the video on youtube is true enough
While some feel it is best to hear from the person involved?
- apart from the glory side, what is important to some is the feel. Feel before and after red beret. Happy definitely, but would some of their peers become more arrogant and look down on other group of soldiers like infantry?

do their time get burn so much that they feel they do not have enough time for family and friends? Both NSF and regular.

I know if one is storeman. Don't have such problem.
If one is infantry outfield would take up Monday to Friday. And booking out on Friday night after cleaning of weapons.
How about commando? Worse?

but if you visit those SAF recruitment website, I believe they will give you an idea of how much you should be expecting. If you need more information, contact them lor.

That is why I tried calling as well. I find some of them rude. On one hand they are explaining and on the other they give you the attitude of

and also you hvn't get in. later never get in then how.

Define "meaningful".

Well, different people different definition.

Some feel being storeman with ample time to read books that improve oneself is meaningful.

Some feel that they achieve as much as possible in army for batches to be meaningful.

Some feel losing their belly is meaningful

I feel I have to have enough time for reading while serving. So I feel being a cdo could be meaningful if say I got enough time for personal advancement of knowledge outside army.

So I like to know how they feel, anytime for personal advancement not only officer but regular cdo as well. I know doing repetitive things make one's brain less active and smart.

I know I do not have a strong understand of the army. Seek for your enlightenment.

 

[Resurrect93]

Sign on as cdo must clear sfqc. must get ranger tab. if not bye bye to u.

This is.. the essential part. Isn't it? I probably have to work harder from now on.

 

[Resurrect93]

SAF pay is very transparent. it is pretty consistent across the board, especially for NSFs.

CDO get combat pay accord to rank + vocation pay. whats so difficult to understand?

in general combat pay more than service, means it will be more than engineer in airforce (at least for the first few years)

anyway, in the past, you should sign on CDO only after you get in, else even you don't get in but you cannot break contract, especially those with scholarship involved which means you will have to be regular in some other vocation which you may or may not like. now a days, not too sure but can't be that far off as well.

but since you mentioned you decided to sign on and dun care what vocation, you should sign up once you enter NS so that you draw regular pay right from the start.

Yep. Thank you. I plan to sign up once I enter NS to draw the regular pay.

I always look forward, so I initially wanted to find out the pay of cdo after bmt and after red beret and amount of money one receive once sign on as cdo successfully. I believe during bmt all NSF receive same pay.

On top of money I want to find out how they feel. If money slightly higher and I have to burn a lot of my time that I have no time for personal advancement (to me is reading of books)

I probably wouldn't bother to go for The VA!

 

[reddevil0728]

Well, different people have different definition.

Some think a few chart and graph is it
And some believe the video on youtube is true enough
While some feel it is best to hear from the person involved?
- apart from the glory side, what is important to some is the feel. Feel before and after red beret. Happy definitely, but would some of their peers become more arrogant and look down on other group of soldiers like infantry?

do their time get burn so much that they feel they do not have enough time for family and friends? Both NSF and regular.

I know if one is storeman. Don't have such problem.
If one is infantry outfield would take up Monday to Friday. And booking out on Friday night after cleaning of weapons.
How about commando? Worse?

Doesn't matter what other people definition of "on the ground" is, what matters is YOURS! Because you are asking the question so you need to narrow down what specifically you are asking. You expecting someone to summarise 2 years worth of experience into just one post?

Glory????? U mean those office keyboard warriors look down on those people who go chiong like siao???

Can't speak for regulars, but NSFs, 24hours belong to SAF, so i think pretty much the same for everybody just that some are lucky to get to stay out?

O rly? Why you say storeman don't have such problem. Do you even know what a storeman do in details to claim that.

Each vocation got their pros and cons. No doubt some maybe more shiong than the others.

btw, I am having a hard time trying to understand you. Your sentences are very disconnected.

That is why I tried calling as well. I find some of them rude. On one hand they are explaining and on the other they give you the attitude of

What makes you think anyone here will be able to give you a more accurate picture of what you should be expecting than the paymasters themselves???? if you find them rude, then don't sign on lor. i think when you become regular u face much worse.

Well, different people different definition.

Some feel being storeman with ample time to read books that improve oneself is meaningful.

Some feel that they achieve as much as possible in army for batches to be meaningful.

Some feel losing their belly is meaningful

I feel I have to have enough time for reading while serving. So I feel being a cdo could be meaningful if say I got enough time for personal advancement of knowledge outside army.

So I like to know how they feel, anytime for personal advancement not only officer but regular cdo as well. I know doing repetitive things make one's brain less active and smart.

I know I do not have a strong understand of the army. Seek for your enlightenment.

Like i said before, doesn't matter what other people definition of "meaningful" is, what matters is YOURS! to some it maybe meaningful, to others it may not be!

How much time someone can afford to enjoy during your limited rest time varies from one person to another. If you choose not to bathe etc, then you can use the "extra" time to enjoy reading etc? so there's no such thing as one size fits all rule!.

You can be a regular officer in cdo dude. It's no mutually exclusive.

I think you need to brush up your english first, if not advancing far in the military will be a problem.

 

[reddevil0728]

Yep. Thank you. I plan to sign up once I enter NS to draw the regular pay.

I always look forward, so I initially wanted to find out the pay of cdo after bmt and after red beret and amount of money one receive once sign on as cdo successfully. I believe during bmt all NSF receive same pay.

On top of money I want to find out how they feel. If money slightly higher and I have to burn a lot of my time that I have no time for personal advancement (to me is reading of books)

I probably wouldn't bother to go for The VA!

If you want to draw regular pay as soon as u enlist, i believe you have to sign on before u enlist, cause it takes time for them to process. but i think they will back pay though.

How some people feel, may not be the same as how you feel. What's important is how you feel after you have experienced it.

Even if you don't find it worthwhile, you should still go for VA.

 

[Kyoji83]

To TS:

1) If you are selected for Cdo BMT as a NSF, you can still apply for Air Force Engineer. However after your Cdo/Normal BMT, you can only apply for Air Force Engineer after you have completed your NSF or else they will not even consider you at all.

2) Cdo mysteries in term of pay? Then maybe you can share common vocation salary like Air Force Engineer or Infantry Specialist? Which REG who do not know you personal will share their salary with you? The Recruitment Centre will only share the salary range! All NSF/NSmen/REG mostly will get the same amount allowance such as Ranger Bounty($700), Full Combat Jump which is also known as Commando Jump Bounty($300), Marksmanship($100) & etc as long as your unit allow you to go for this course/activity.

3) You tell us that it doesn't bother you which vocation you will be serving as you have decided to sign on as engineer in Air Force during my BMT anyway. Then why are you still asking a Cdo? If you like Cdo, you can always apply & go for their selection even if you have sign on in Air Force or ORD as a NSF!

 

[Resurrect93]

Doesn't matter what other people definition of "on the ground" is, what matters is YOURS! Because you are asking the question so you need to narrow down what specifically you are asking. You expecting someone to summarise 2 years worth of experience into just one post?

Glory????? U mean those office keyboard warriors look down on those people who go chiong like siao???

Can't speak for regulars, but NSFs, 24hours belong to SAF, so i think pretty much the same for everybody just that some are lucky to get to stay out?

O rly? Why you say storeman don't have such problem. Do you even know what a storeman do in details to claim that.

Each vocation got their pros and cons. No doubt some maybe more shiong than the others.

btw, I am having a hard time trying to understand you. Your sentences are very disconnected.




What makes you think anyone here will be able to give you a more accurate picture of what you should be expecting than the paymasters themselves???? if you find them rude, then don't sign on lor. i think when you become regular u face much worse.


Like i said before, doesn't matter what other people definition of "meaningful" is, what matters is YOURS! to some it maybe meaningful, to others it may not be!

How much time someone can afford to enjoy during your limited rest time varies from one person to another. If you choose not to bathe etc, then you can use the "extra" time to enjoy reading etc? so there's no such thing as one size fits all rule!.

You can be a regular officer in cdo dude. It's no mutually exclusive.

I think you need to brush up your english first, if not advancing far in the military will be a problem.

Ok.. I think my sentences are very disconnected as well. Been using my headphone to type.

I would brush up my English! Thank you. I think I would go for the VA then wait for Air force's reply.

 

[reddevil0728]

Ok.. I think my sentences are very disconnected as well. Been using my headphone to type.

I would brush up my English! Thank you. I think I would go for the VA then wait for Air force's reply.

headphone to type???????

 

[Resurrect93]

headphone to type???????

Sorry. Handphone. ^^