10 Thoughts Every Guys Would’ve Had In Their Mind Before Enlisting

NS is a process that every Singaporean male will go through.

Call it a ritual, where a boy goes in and come out as a man. Some hate it to the core, while others embrace it with passion.

During the long wait (much shorter now) before enlistment, where the guys have absolutely nothing to do, the emptiness can play tricks on a guy’s mind, and many thoughts would occur.

Here are 10 thoughts every guy would have before enlisting to NS.

Better start training

Perhaps the most common and also the most rational thought.

After 18 years of slacking and studying, some of us are in really bad shape.

Even for those that managed to keep fit, there will be a fear that they would not be able to keep up with the training.

So every guy would have some sort of plan to start working out. But for the guys who managed to slack for 18 years, their plans would most likely remain as plans.

Why me

Most guys will go through this stage of denial, where they look at their female friends preparing and all excited about university, while they are facing this huge block called NS.

At times, it can really feel like being abandoned, and the whole world is moving on without them.

However, fret not. As you make new friends and buddies in the army, feelings like this should gradually disappear.

What will I become

They always say NS changes a guy, so it’s little wonder that guys would be nervous about it. They’ll wonder what they’ll become after two years in the military.

I’m gonna lose everything

We’ve all heard stories of girlfriends abandoning their boyfriends in the army. However, even for those without girlfriends, they’ll feel like NS will consume their whole life.

Imagine an athlete stopping training for two years. Of course, he’ll be afraid of losing his place in the sport.

I want to be an officer

Most people are enthusiastic… at the start only. Many people will go in with their minds made up to give their best. But after two weeks, most will be like F*** this shit

It’s going to be fun

Finally some action after a whole life sitting in front of a desk. Most guys are fascinated by guns and tanks and can’t wait to get their hands on one. So despite all the horror stories, most guys still are excited about NS.

I’m going to die

However, it is during the darkest nights where our minds are the cruelest. Sometimes, you wonder if they’re going to torture you. On other nights, you’re convinced that you’ll succumb to the jungle.

The sergeants look friendly

When you first enlist, you visit the island first with your family. And that is the time that the sergeants will exhaust all of their smiles reserve for the next three months. They look friendly, but after your parents leave…….

I’m so important

People are going to say how important NS is, how important you are, how you are contributing to the society, how the whole country is grateful for you, all the talks about “duty”.

It will give all guys a super-inflated sense of self-worth. Actually, nobody gives a shit.

Will I have to stand

In this era, soldiers no longer die from bullets. They die on stomp.

After all the big hooha about NSmen required to stand on MRTs, it’s no wonder many NSmen feel like second-class citizens.