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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_622187.html
Jan 9, 2011
Pre-enlistment jitters? This course claims to help
By Jermyn Chow
Mr Stanley Chua, a former major in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has devised a course to prep them for the two-year mandatory stint for male citizens. -- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
National service made easier: A sales pitch made by a former military psychologist to 18-year-olds who may have pre-enlistment jitters.
Mr Stanley Chua, a former major in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has devised a course to prep them for the two-year mandatory stint for male citizens.
Some 20,000 teens report each year for NS which started in 1967 to strengthen Singapore's defence capability. Some 700,000 people have undergone training since.
Mr Chua's course is believed to be the first in Singapore, though commercial gyms have been selling packages to get pre-enlistees' fitness up to scratch.
Mr Chua, 33, said his courses aim to make the participants overcome their fears, and 'psych them up' before they report for duty.
'Some go into NS with preconceived notions which will be a lot harder to correct if we wait until they only start serving,' he noted.
The former regular, who has a master's in occupational psychology from the University of Nottingham and worked in Mindef's Defence Psychology Department for more than a year, reckons half of some 20,000 enlistees every year would not have had any psychological training to cope with military life.
The other half might have undergone leadership training in the uniformed groups in school or signed up for self-motivational courses.
Mr Chua, who left the RSAF last October, said: 'They are generally more pampered and lead very comfortable lives. NS will be the first time when they will have to adapt to an environment that they are not familiar with.'
This includes having to get used to the demanding physical training, strict regimentation and stern taskmasters like the Basic Military Training (BMT) instructors and commanders.
He set up his consultancy, N.S. Formulas, last month with two other former military psychologists.
So far, more than 100 people have inquired about the courses, of whom 10 have signed up for the NS preparatory one, which begins this week.
They will be taught how to think positively and cope in times of difficulty through role-playing and classroom exercises.
Each participant will have to pay $499 for six sessions, each of 11/2 hours in duration.
Mr Chua has also rolled out courses to help those who want to become officers, or ace their interviews to clinch SAF scholarships. The fees can go up to $999.
The SAF issues a 112-page Recruit's Handbook to teens before they enlist, telling them what to expect during NS and how to mentally prepare themselves.
Parents receive a booklet that gives an idea of what their sons will go through.
Last July, the Defence Ministry started to upload an 18-part reality TV series on YouTube that captured what goes on during the nine-week BMT that recruits go through.
The Health Promotion Board is holding stress-management talks in junior colleges and the centralised institute islandwide till March to tell teens what to expect after they leave school for NS, tertiary institutions and work.
Dr Ang Yong Guan, a former psychiatrist who retired from the SAF in 2003 to set up his private practice, said Mr Chua's NS preparation courses are 'laudable'.
'It is definitely great for the minority who really need help to cope... but it's still quite early to tell if many people will sign up. After all, most people have survived NS and gone on to do very well.'
In his 23 years with the SAF, Dr Ang who held the rank of colonel, said up to two in 100 enlistees were referred to the SAF's Psychological Medicine Branch every year because they had problems coping with military life.
Housewife Lily Sim, 52, is willing to pay to ensure her 17-year-old son - who will enlist next year - is mentally ready for NS, and better yet, do well.
'If going for the course will give him an edge over his peers, why not? Having a good NS track record will be good for his career too,' she said.
But not everyone is convinced by Mr Chua's sales pitch.
Ngee Ann polytechnic student Melvin Poon, 21, who will be enlisting later this year, said: 'My two brothers have gone through NS and coped well without a course; I don't see why I need to pay so much just to learn how to do well.
'Even if it is tough, we just have to deal with whatever is thrown at us.'
Jan 9, 2011
Pre-enlistment jitters? This course claims to help
By Jermyn Chow
Mr Stanley Chua, a former major in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has devised a course to prep them for the two-year mandatory stint for male citizens. -- ST PHOTO: RAJ NADARAJAN
National service made easier: A sales pitch made by a former military psychologist to 18-year-olds who may have pre-enlistment jitters.
Mr Stanley Chua, a former major in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has devised a course to prep them for the two-year mandatory stint for male citizens.
Some 20,000 teens report each year for NS which started in 1967 to strengthen Singapore's defence capability. Some 700,000 people have undergone training since.
Mr Chua's course is believed to be the first in Singapore, though commercial gyms have been selling packages to get pre-enlistees' fitness up to scratch.
Mr Chua, 33, said his courses aim to make the participants overcome their fears, and 'psych them up' before they report for duty.
'Some go into NS with preconceived notions which will be a lot harder to correct if we wait until they only start serving,' he noted.
The former regular, who has a master's in occupational psychology from the University of Nottingham and worked in Mindef's Defence Psychology Department for more than a year, reckons half of some 20,000 enlistees every year would not have had any psychological training to cope with military life.
The other half might have undergone leadership training in the uniformed groups in school or signed up for self-motivational courses.
Mr Chua, who left the RSAF last October, said: 'They are generally more pampered and lead very comfortable lives. NS will be the first time when they will have to adapt to an environment that they are not familiar with.'
This includes having to get used to the demanding physical training, strict regimentation and stern taskmasters like the Basic Military Training (BMT) instructors and commanders.
He set up his consultancy, N.S. Formulas, last month with two other former military psychologists.
So far, more than 100 people have inquired about the courses, of whom 10 have signed up for the NS preparatory one, which begins this week.
They will be taught how to think positively and cope in times of difficulty through role-playing and classroom exercises.
Each participant will have to pay $499 for six sessions, each of 11/2 hours in duration.
Mr Chua has also rolled out courses to help those who want to become officers, or ace their interviews to clinch SAF scholarships. The fees can go up to $999.
The SAF issues a 112-page Recruit's Handbook to teens before they enlist, telling them what to expect during NS and how to mentally prepare themselves.
Parents receive a booklet that gives an idea of what their sons will go through.
Last July, the Defence Ministry started to upload an 18-part reality TV series on YouTube that captured what goes on during the nine-week BMT that recruits go through.
The Health Promotion Board is holding stress-management talks in junior colleges and the centralised institute islandwide till March to tell teens what to expect after they leave school for NS, tertiary institutions and work.
Dr Ang Yong Guan, a former psychiatrist who retired from the SAF in 2003 to set up his private practice, said Mr Chua's NS preparation courses are 'laudable'.
'It is definitely great for the minority who really need help to cope... but it's still quite early to tell if many people will sign up. After all, most people have survived NS and gone on to do very well.'
In his 23 years with the SAF, Dr Ang who held the rank of colonel, said up to two in 100 enlistees were referred to the SAF's Psychological Medicine Branch every year because they had problems coping with military life.
Housewife Lily Sim, 52, is willing to pay to ensure her 17-year-old son - who will enlist next year - is mentally ready for NS, and better yet, do well.
'If going for the course will give him an edge over his peers, why not? Having a good NS track record will be good for his career too,' she said.
But not everyone is convinced by Mr Chua's sales pitch.
Ngee Ann polytechnic student Melvin Poon, 21, who will be enlisting later this year, said: 'My two brothers have gone through NS and coped well without a course; I don't see why I need to pay so much just to learn how to do well.
'Even if it is tough, we just have to deal with whatever is thrown at us.'
