Last Updated on 2019-07-22 , 8:35 pm
I‘ve heard people say it over and over again:
National Service is a waste of time. It’s a waste of so much time. Two years. Do you know what I could’ve done with that? I could’ve achieved so much. Done so much. Like create an Insta account @notzhihao and get like 100 followers. Or wipe my backside 1,000 times. Or consume thirty thousand lava cakes. You get what I’m saying?
(Writer embedded @notzhihao Instagram account above but the editor changed it to @goody.feed Instagram account instead because #rankmatters)
And while I hate to admit it, it’s kinda true. Granted, the first two months (or three months), popularly known as the Basic Military Training period, are pretty productive in the sense that you learn the skill of sleeping any and everywhere.
And depending on the unit you’re posted to, you might or might not go through another few months of training. But regardless of whether you’re a man, sergeant or officer, there will invariably come a point when you stop going through intense training sessions, and start, for lack of a better phrase, ‘taking it easier’ instead (read: ORD mood).
That’s not to say that we don’t enjoy it, however. It’s just that some people bemoan how it’s a waste of time when clearly, there’s so much time for you to get productive. For example, during the term auditors like to christen ‘non-peak’, you could’ve picked up some…
1. Musical instruments
Musically awkward? To the point where it’s bordeline comical? Always getting laughed at by your more musically talented peers and friends?
Well, it’s time to show them.
Bring your guitar in, bring your ukelele in, heck bring your piano in if you want to (and dare to). There’s an abundance of time in camp to learn some notes, whether it’s a stay-in night, ‘canteen breaks’ or even weekend confinements.
And before you whine about the ‘toxic’ learning environment, I’ll have you know that according to a source of mine, two dudes were so bored during their weekend confinement periods that they brought ukeleles in for some pick-me-up time. And the next thing they knew? They were entertaining their entire company with some good ol’ songs.
2. Brush up on your studies
If you’ve been through National Service, you would know one core aspect about Army:
Don’t need to think; just follow. And you’ll get through just fine.
And after like more than a decade of studying, you’ll find that notion a breath of fresh air, and just let everything go.
Well, heads up, buddy. That’s not just a risky venture to take, but a downright toxic route to endeavour on.
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See, your brain, like your biceps, triceps and shoulders, is essentially a muscle. And like every other muscle, it gets ‘flabby’ if it’s not used enough.
So could you imagine two entire years of not using it, and just proceeding straight to university (if you’re going there)?
As such, make sure not to neglect your studies, even in the confines of the godforsaken place known as an army camp. Read up on your pre-uni materials, or you could borrow your senior’s coursebook for a taste of what’s to come.
Whatever it is, make sure not to let your brain get stale, because that’s one horrific mistake one too many have made, and one too many have found it hard to recover from.
3. Build your ideal physique
I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t army all about working out? So what am I doing, asking you guys to work out even more?
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In elaboration, I shall quote an earlier snippet in this article because I’m lazy to type everything out again:
“But regardless of whether you’re a man, sergeant or officer, there will invariably come a point when you stop going through intense training sessions, and start, for lack of a better phrase, ‘taking it easier’ instead.”
And that, lest you’re unaware, is where it all comes to nought. All the hard work you put in over the last few months?
It’s all gonna fade off, especially if you’re not the kind to workout.
But hey, we can stop all that. You can still look good. In fact…
You can look even better.
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See, if your camp has a gym and you’re pretty much freeloading all the time, why not head there for some daily workout sessions? With the right kind of diet and the appropriate amount of time, you could soon see your physique transforming from this…
To this.
Plus, there’s really no better time to bulk. Who’s going to see that bulging double chin 95% of the time?
The cookhouse auntie? Psshhhh.
4. Stocks
It’s common knowledge that army wages are peanuts, especially when compared to outside jobs that employ the same working hours (or even lesser). And that’s especially so for Command School absentees, who rake in half as much dough as their officer counterparts.
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Half as much dough.
The horror.
So for those who are lacking in the dough department, what productive stuff can they actually do in their free time (assuming they have, which I’m pretty sure they’ll have)?
Well, for one, why not rake in more dough?
Taking an interest in the financial market and investing in stocks is one way to gather some cookie dough, and the best thing’s that you can do it from practically anywhere.
Sweet.
Do, however, ask a professional for advice first before you venture because we don’t want you to lose cookie dough instead of, say, gaining it.
6. Pick up a sport
Always picked last whenever there’s a street team selection? People dub you the future ‘Lord Bendtner’?
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Well, go prove them wrong. Do well and you can even represent your unit. You didn’t know there are sports competitions? Dude.
7. Write your thoughts down
Yeah I know, I know. What’s this? Meditation? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
But really, jotting your thoughts down isn’t just a good way to pass the time. Rather, it could serve as a memorabilia of sorts that you can look at years down the road.
Holy shet I felt like this during army? Crikey, what a loser ahahahahahaha.
Until you find out that you’re still the same anyway. Bummerrrr.
8. Read books
Famed author Stephen King once said this:
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
And while I don’t generally agree with authors who make a living scaring the daylights out of people (via their books), I have to agree with King on this one. Books are indeed magic.
And yet, at the same time, they are so much more than that. They allow you to travel acres of land without actually moving your feet (like virtual reality); they stuff your brain with loads of useful information; they take you for a brief ride away from reality and when you’re back, hours have passed.
As such, I can’t think of a more productive way to spend your time in Army than digesting book after book, and that’s especially so if you’re busy doing guard duty somewhere sedentary.
Not a bookworm? Don’t worry; after a good first book…
You’ll never look back.
9. Network
To be successful, one must have the correct attitude, skills and knowledge. Now that’s correct (or at least last I checked).
But what nobody told you is that there’s one more key ingredient to being successful. And as shallow as it sounds…
You need connections.
And that’s especially so in a country as developed as Singapore, which boasts a work industry as cut-throat as they come. Without connections, it’s really hard to attain a high-rank position in a company you actually want. Although if you think about it…
How else are you gonna break away from the average?
Yeah, that’s the cruel truth, but then again the truth always hurts. But guess what? You can start your networking journey early, just so that you don’t have to vie with your same-gen peers in the future. And what better setting to do that than Army?
What’s more, there are tons and tons of networking options online nowadays, so you don’t actually have to go around physically in order to meet new people. Just flip out your phone, sacrifice your 4G, and you’re all set.
Sweet.
(I’m not talking about Tinder)
10. Spend time with your family and friends
As cheesy as it sounds, there’s really nothing more productive than cherishing your time with your family and friends. After all, once National Service is over, you’re gonna be busy studying and working, leaving social relations all but non-existent.
Trust me; you might not believe it, but working life’s a bitch compared to NS.
So get cracking, because while life’s important…
Your family and friends are even more important.
🙂
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