When it comes to National Service (NS), what are some common vocations that come to your mind?
Naval Diver (NDU), Commando, Pilot etc. just to name a few.
For those curious about what is like for an NSF Military Policemen or those who received your posting to Mowbray Camp (2 PDF training), well you’ve come to the right place!
Today, I shall share my experience serving as a Military Policemen from 2023-2024!
(Disclaimer: My experience alone does not reflect the general experience of every MP out there. So take my words with a pinch of salt, maybe it’ll turn out different for you! 😁)
BMT
Welp, as you might guess I went through what every man in Singapore experienced: the infamous Tekong BMT.
For context, I was given PES B1 and deemed combat fit when I first entered BMT.
I remember having to book in at 4 pm every Sunday, taking the much-hated ferry to the motherland of nightmares: Palau Tekong.
Luckily, throughout my 10 weeks of Basic Military Training (BMT), I enjoyed the camaraderie I was surrounded with at Pegasus Coy (IMO: best coy to exist).
Although the tortuous 5-day field camp and route march was NOT FUN, BMT was as a whole very memorable and builds your resilience for what remains of your military journey.
MP Basic Course At Mowbray Camp
Source: Prathap L. on LinkedIn
As you may guess, when I saw my posting to Mowbray as an MP, I thought my life for the next 2 years would be a smooth ride. (subtle foreshadowing: it wasn’t)
The Military Police Basic Course (MPBC) roughly spans around 9-10 weeks, with key milestones including MPCCT Enhanced Combat Training, P30 Pistol Firing, and Military Law Tests (WSQ).
From my 2 years of service, the intake size of MP’s differs from time to time, with batches ranging from 40 to 60.
(Although falling unit intake is common across all units due to declining birth rates)
P30 Pistol Firing Test
Do you find live firing in BMT a hassle? Well, if you’re allocated to the MP basic course then you’ll have one extra live firing to clear before your graduation and it’s far from easy.
Firing a pistol requires both your hands to support, and a lighter weight indicates a higher recoil on the firearm, making it harder to fire and hit your target.
(Fact: I failed my first try on the P30 with 12/30 shots on target)
WSQ Test
If you think you can take a break from studying in the army, you’ll be proven wrong with excessive memorising and studying for the WSQ Test.
Unless you have a huge interest in law, you’ll find reading about military law and enforcement a hassle and an even bigger nuisance with the weekly tests you HAVE TO PASS.
MPCCT Enhanced Combat Training
Source: Yahoo Pictures
Don’t worry because I have saved the best for last. Everyone’s favorite MPCCT.
Standing under the hot sun with smelly and crusty mattresses on the floor, be prepared to embrace the heat while listening to instructors (with an average age of 50) teaching you combat techniques you would not use 99% of the time.
(Unless you have anger management issues or are a professional boxer.)
MP Miltary Discipline… freaking shag
If you think your unit’s discipline and regimentation are bad, well being an MP is a whole new world.
As an MP, you can expect your standard bearings check: No facial hair, No dirty boots, No Hair longer than Lee Sin but with a much MUCH higher standard. (PS: don’t expect your superiors to be nice to you about this)
Post-Training: Choosing Your MP Vocation- If You Even Have a Choice
In some miracle you completed all the required milestones to complete the MP Basic course, there comes the most daunting part- choosing your preferred vocation.
Being part of the 69/23 batch of MP graduates, we were given only a limited amount of choices:
Suntanning as a Law enforcement or Presidential Guard at the MP Enforcement Unit (By far the worst)
Source: Flickr
- Working Schedule: 5-in 2-out, expect to book in on Sunday mornings
occasionallyfrequently - Pros: Camp Near MRT station (10 walk mins away from Yew Tee MRT)
- Cons: Long working hours, Physically Draining
Dying Of Boredom In The Guard Room At Gombak Base As Guard Duty
- Working Schedule: 3-in 3-out
- Pros: Enjoy longer book outs, Nice Canteen
- Cons: Repetitive, may be called back on public holidays
Watching Sausages In a Jail Cell At Detention Baraks
- Book-in Schedule: 4-in 2-out
- Pros: Rather chill life, Mostly air-conditioned
- Cons: Book-out is strictly on a 48-hour timeline
Common Misconceptions About Military Policemen:
If you’re reading till this point and you’re still unconvinced that the life of an MP is not easy, well, let me clarify some misconceptions to prove you WRONG.
MP’s Have A Chill Life In NS
As I was once part of the MP Law Enforcement and Ceremonial Company, we were prepared to sacrifice our weekends away at least thrice a month, from doing guard duties to Sunday duties at Istana and NDP duties.
Chao Keng BMT Means Getting Into MP
Another misconception is that failing IPPT in BMT will get you in the ‘chill’ vocation like MP (even though it’s not)
From my personal experience, the selection process is largely arbitrary, with slight preference given to Singaporeans with higher clearance.
So Does This Mean My 2 Years Of NS Will Be Miserable As An MP?
Source: Google Images
Do I think my NS journey as an MP could have been better? Yes, but I also agree that it could have been a lot worse at the same time (If I’m assuming being a commando is x10 worse).
Overall, serving in the army is a shared experience among all Singaporean men, and I find it liberating to have a common topic to rant about with my male friends or strangers at a friend’s party.
Remember it is not your experience that defines you but what you make out of it. Whether you have changed your mind about MPs, I think we can all agree that NS will never be an easy road to walk.
Related To NS:
PES E1L9: A PES E Case Study (National Service in SG) – Guidesify
50 Bad Habits during National Service (NS) in Singapore – Guidesify
