Check this article out in today's Today. What an idiot...the worst are these pple who make light of other people's problems simply because they dont have to experience it.
Don't moan about NS test
NSmen have full freedom to choose when to go for IPPT
Letter from Kelly Koh Ben-Lin
MATTHEW Lim's plight, as recounted in his letter, "A more flexible schedule for working NSmen?" (Jan 31) is one that perhaps some NSmen can empathise with. I do not count myself among this group.
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In my opinion, the current Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) system has already been tweaked so that NSmen like Mr Lim and me have maximum flexibility in training for IPTT and even choosing when we wish to be tested. Given a one-year window between birthdays to choose our preferred test date, Mindef would be hard-pressed to make it even more convenient than it already is.
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Mr Lim's main grouse is with the Remedial Training (RT) programme, a moot complaint if he had passed his IPPT in the first place. His plea "I could not pass my IPPT no matter how hard I tried" cuts no ice with me. I'm inclined to say, "You probably haven't tried hard enough, then." NSmen are allowed to attempt the test as many times as it takes for them to pass within the window. Only when they still fail are they actually required to go for RT.
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The bottom line, perhaps, is for one to just exercise a little self-discipline and make an effort to work out. Even if one is on the road for work often, as Mr Lim is, I can scarcely believe that all of one's waking moments are occupied. I, for one, pack my running gear, should I need to travel for work. That way, I can squeeze in a quick run at the hotel gym early in the morning.
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Should one still fail, then one should really just bite the bullet and attend the RT, and perhaps see it as a way to bring one's fitness up to speed. If one has not already taken full advantage of the flexible testing schedule, then one should be prepared to put up with the "rigid" RT schedule a schedule that would be difficult to tailor to each individual's needs.
NSmen have full freedom to choose when to go for IPPT