This morning, some NSmen woke up to news that could be worse than receiving a pink enlistment letter.
There was an SMS, and after replying to the message, they got to know that IPPTs, RTs and IPTs were cancelled for September.
Some even received cancellation of ICTs and briefings.
NSmen:
MINDEF Suddenly Suspended IPPT/RT for September
When Phase Two kicked in, we got to know that IPPT would resume from 1 September 2020, and the need to maintain our imaginary six-pack was waived off.
Back then, we could even book slots from 1 September 2020 onwards.
But in a surprise move despite community cases remaining low, NSmen received an SMS from Ah Gong this morning, saying that IPPT will be suspended for another month until 30 September 2020.
According to TODAYonline, Mindef referred them to this Facebook Post:
Since the Community Care Facility (CCF) at the Singapore EXPO & MAX Atria was set up in April to free up resources in…
Posted by Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) on Monday, 15 June 2020
Not much info except that the people in green said that they will “continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and review the measures in place to keep servicemen safe.”
NSmen whose window are affected by the suspension will be given a one-time waiver of their IPPT/RT requirement, and will receive a letter soon.
Okay, but how about ICTs?
It was mentioned earlier that “non-Ops-essential ICTs” will be deferred. Yes, ICT also got non-essential and essential one.
Security companies (most probably PDFs—People’s Defence Force, not Portable Document Format) might have been called back as shown in this latest Mindef video (though that is Guards unit lah but they appear to be doing security duties):
Business as Usual for 735 Guards
#COVID19 or not, it’s business as usual for Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from 735th Battalion, Singapore Guards. “In spite of the on-going pandemic, it helps ensure the SAF remains operationally ready for the long run”, said Commanding Officer of 735 Guards, LTC(NS) Mark Chew. With stringent safety measures in place, watch how these Guardsmen go through a vigorous series of refresher training before hopping onto real operations, keeping a watchful eye over ??The Singapore Army
Posted by Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) on Thursday, 30 July 2020