To be young once, and brave

And so I went for the Commando Vocational Assessment today. I reached the pick up area earlier than expected as I over estimated the traveling time for morning train. The bus came slightly later than 0730 and off we went to the place where they make Commandos.

At the Multi Purpose Hall, we were spited into groups. Being ‘Lao Bing’, I was assigned to Group One, (as usual, I am always the first) and greeted by the IC Max. From there it’s the familiar waiting, as with all army camps you wait and wait and wait for things to happen. Nothing much changed since NCC days at AMQ camp.

A assessment form is given to us to fill up. The usual, name, IC number, DOB, Age, then there’s a table where you indicate your knowledge of the 8 vocations

1) Logistics
2) Commando
3) Signals
4) Combat Engineers
5) Auxiliary
6) Armory
7) Guards
8) Infantry

They you are to put them into a list, starting from the most wanted to join to the least. It was hard taken that I want to join none of them.

The next page asks you about your CCA and stuff. Pretty much stuff that are supposed to ‘know’ you better.

Then starts the briefing, telling us what is going to happen and who are the people in charged and what have you. We were then moved off to the auditorium to do the test. 3 test is conducted.

1) IQ test, was it 8 sets of 12 or 10 sets of 12 I cannot remember, either how, the guy has a stop watch and you’re supposed to finish them in 20 minutes.
2) A Stress Handling Test. I cannot remember the name, but its lists all the method on how people handle stress and you’re supposed to state if you use such method and how effective is it on you. Its 4 pages worth of questions that’s about 100 questions.
3) The last one is some personality test. Its 100 over statements which you either answer true, false or ‘question mark’. It just says stuff like I prefer reading hardcore action novels to frictional fantasy crap. The last 8 or so question test you on your proficiency in Maths and English.

We took about 2 hours to finish all the 3 papers and off we went for lunch. Bloody hell, its not provided by the cookhouse, we have to spent our own money to but lunch. The noodle uncle too such a long time preparing the noodles that it made almost everyone in the line crazy.

We gather back at the MPH at 1230hrs for the second half of the day. But before that, another briefing. The same thing almost all over again, but this time, they told us that there’s no return trip bus back to Pasir Ris Train Station. It was stated in the letter that 2 way transport will be provided, how they say it already thrown out of the window.

Oh well. We started the interview. It started off with what CCA, then where you stay, then if you play any sports, I remember distinctively he asked “if you’re given the options, would you chose Commando?” ahhh…. I said no and he asked why. Naturally I gave a lot of reasons. Apparently I don’t think he bought any of my stories. He asked me about my course and come to the conclusion that I should sign on Navy, I then reminded him that I cannot sign on as I’m already taken by MPA.

That was it, the end of the interview he just end the conversation with a thank you I wanted to ask question and stuff, but well, I thought I better shut up as advised by John. We were then bought to the medical centre. Where we waited for something like 20 minutes until there were just too many groups crowding there and out IC decided to move to other stations first.

We went back to the MPH and did the psychomotor test. 4 tests
1) Balance test:
You lift your hands in your front and hold them parallel to the ground, then you life your heel off the ground (standing tiptoe) and close your eyes, I think you should hold the position for something like half a minute. I practiced and was fine, but then it come to the assessment, I had some problem finding my balance for the first bit of it.
2) Flexibility test:
this is easy, spread your legs shoulder wide and touch your fingers to the ground without banding your kneels. Hold there for another 30 seconds or so.
3) Agility test:
This is a little hard to explain, but I will try my best. You first bend down and put your hands on the ground, the kick your legs backwards to come to something of a push up position. At the position, with one hand still on the floor, you turn to your left and using your right hand to touch the floor on the other side. The face should be something like facing upwards. Once you touch the left side, you quickly turn to let your left hand touch the right side. You then draw your legs back and stand up. That is one set. You are given half a minute to complete 6 sets. I did mine in something like 26seconds.
4) Final test is the endurances test
you lie down on the floor and rise your legs then life your shoulder off the floor at the same time. Hold there for something like 20seconds.

That was it, I thought they would make me turn round and round and then try to walk straight. Or something like use your left finger to touch your right ear then…..

Oh well.. off we went to the final station. The physical fitness station.
1) Standing board jump. Well jump. I cannot remember how far I jump, but it was bad.
2) Push up. These are not those you does at home, these are standard stuff. Leg must be closed. Hands must be like this and that and you must touch the floor and come completely up and bluh bluh bluh. Well, it’s not easy. I’ll be frank I only managed 22. (min standard 30 in one minute)
3) Sit up. Again they only consider the standard ones. Hands cupping the ear, cannot leave. Then the elbow must touch the kneel then must also touch the floor. Ahh… commando standard. (Xiong sia) managed 23. (min standard 42
4) Pull up. This is the best part. No jerking, no kicking, no nothing, hands must be fully straighten when coming down, whole bloody chin must be OVER the bar. Well, we tried, all 8 of us final score was zero. (min 10)

We later found out that the min standards, are all IPPT gold standard. Well. Only the best goes to commando.

We went back to the medical centre like a band of brothers as we all score zero for pull ups. Well, the medical was quick. Only 3 question,
1) What is your height
2) What is your weight
3) Have you had and injuries to the muscles, bones or whatever.


I wanted to pour out my history, but on second thought, it would trigger more questions which I am already too tired to answer, I just want to go home.

The doctor called 3 at a time and I was the last one in my group of 3, he asked me 2 more questions as he look through my report. “How is your fitness?” and the famous question “Do you want to join Commando?” I later saw that he place my paper away from the pervious 2 that went in with me.

I think they like me.

Well, the final question was the IPPT, last IPPT. For me, it was 5 years ago. Back in secondary school, I got a bronze. Oh well. We later asked Max when will be the next enlistment. He said most likely in January. We also asked him how we get here in the first place. He told us we are the top 5% of the whole cohort and that our chances of going back to the camp is pretty high.

We are all set to go as max walked us to the gates. The 8 of us bid farewell and wish each other to not meet again, especially here again. I collected 4 of their numbers telling them to spread the news if they are arrowed.

And so, that was it, a pretty detailed account of the vocational assessment for commandos. All in all we spent from 0730 to 1530 at the Camp. The letter only warned us for 6hours. Oh well I shell wait and see if I am that ‘lucky’ to be with the elites!