Last updated 30 April 2024
You will start your journey as a full-time National Serviceman (NSF) with basic training. The length and type of basic training you receive will depend on:
whether you enlisted to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) or Singapore Police Force (SPF)
your Physical Employment Standard (PES) grade
your pre-enlistee Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) results (if applicable)
During the initial phase of basic training, you must stay in camp throughout. This can be between 10 to 19 days, depending on which service you are enlisted to.
After that, you will be able to return home (book out) during weekends and public holidays if you do not have any training scheduled on those days.
If you enlist in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), you will go through basic military training.
Your camp might be the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) in Pulau Tekong, Kranji Camp 2, Naval Diving Unit, Commando Training Institute, or other SAF units.
You must stay in for the first two weekends, and will be able to book out and return home after 15 to 19 days, depending on your training school.
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
9 weeks
Type of training
Basic soldiering skills
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Enlistment locations
BMTC in Pulau Tekong
Other SAF units
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
17 weeks (8 weeks of Physical Training Phase + 9 weeks BMT)
Type of training
Basic soldiering skills
Training to improve physical fitness
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Enlistment locations
BMTC in Pulau Tekong
Other SAF units
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
9 weeks
Type of training
Basic soldiering skills [For PES B2 only]
Training for IPPT, but can be excused up to two static stations
Enlistment location
BMTC in Pulau Tekong
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
19 weeks
Type of training
Training to improve physical fitness
Basic soldiering skills
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Enlistment location
BMTC in Pulau Tekong
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
9 weeks
Type of training
Basic soldiering skills
Preparation for vocational training
Enlistment location
BMTC School V in Kranji Camp 2
Duration of Basic Military Training (BMT)
9 weeks
Type of training
Basic soldiering skills
Preparation for vocational training
Enlistment location
BMTC School V in Kranji Camp 2
If you enlist in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), you will go through Basic Rescue Training.
All training will be held at the National Service Training Centre, Civil Defence Academy.
You must stay in the National Service Training Centre for your first weekend, and will be able to book out and return home the following Friday.
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
4 weeks
Type of training
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
12 weeks (8 weeks of Physical Training Phase + 4 weeks BRT)
Type of training
Training to improve physical fitness
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
4 weeks
Type of training
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Training for IPPT, but can be excused up to two static stations
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
4 weeks
Type of training
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
12 weeks (8 weeks of Physical Training Phase + 4 weeks PES A or B1 BRT)
Type of training
Training to improve physical fitness
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
4 weeks
Type of training
Basic skills of a Civil Defence Rescuer
Duration of Basic Rescue Training (BRT)
5 days
Type of training
Civil Defence Systems
SCDF Core Values
National Education
Regimentation and Discipline
If you enlist in the Singapore Police Force (SPF), you will go through the Police Officers Basic Course.
All training will be held at Home Team Academy.
You must stay in the Home Team Academy for your first weekend, and will be able to book out and return home the following Friday.
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
14 weeks
Type of training
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
22 weeks (8 weeks of Physical Training Phase + 14 weeks POBC)
Type of training
Training to improve physical fitness
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Fitness tests such as IPPT
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
14 weeks
Type of training
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Training for IPPT, but can be excused from up to two static stations
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
8 weeks
Type of training
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
22 weeks (8 weeks of Physical Training Phase + 14 weeks POBC)
Type of training
Training to improve physical fitness
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
8 weeks
Type of training
Basic Policing knowledge and skills
Duration of Police Officers Basic Course (POBC)
10 days
Type of training
SG Secure
SPF Core Values
Regimentation and Discipline
You will be given a list of items upon your enlistment. This includes your uniform, clothes, shoes, and other training necessities. The full list of items given can be viewed under the respective service:
You will live in a common bunk together with enlistees from different walks of life, race, and religion. Together, you are responsible for the cleanliness of your living quarters.
You will be provided with 3 meals a day. If there is night training, a night snack will be given. All meals are carefully planned to provide proper nutrition for training and recovery. If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, you should inform your officers upon enlistment.
After basic training is completed, you:
Visit the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) website to learn more about life in NS in the SAF, SCDF, and SPF.