Let me be the bao toh kia for all NSmen out there: the eMart credits given to us for our ICTs are usually (not always of course) more than enough.
*Siam-ing all own-time-own-target shots*
As an NSman, there are usually surpluses unless you need to buy a new set of uniform, because fitting in the old uniform requires some good breathing technique.
If not, you’d spend the extra credits buying these:
- New pair of running shoes
- Lots of white socks until quota hit
- Lots of green towel until quota hit
- Lots of garters because they seem to have legs of their own
If this has been confusing to you so far, you might want to watch this video that we’ve done about serving NS in the army here first (please also subscribe to our YouTube channel!):
Every year, a combat-fit NSF would receive $260 of eMart credits, while an active NSman will receive $113 every 2 years.
You can use these eMart credits to buy certain things from shops called eMart, which are usually located within camps.
The shops stock stuff that’s needed for training, like uniform, PT apparels, essential outfield items or whatnot.
These gift shops—I mean, these eMart outlets—would sell many other things too, like bags, T-shirt, powders and even souvenirs.
If you run out of credits, you’d have to use cash to buy those essential items.
(For any NSman reading this, here’s a pro tip: if your boots are spoilt, you can go for a one-to-one exchange in the eMart)
And as a bao toh kia, here the truth that no NSman would admit to: shopping in eMart is an enjoyable time with your fellow NSmen and we usually exhaust our credits buying items that are non-essential for our training. I once bought many PT shorts because they’re just so comfortable.
Now, if you’re lucky enough to be called back for a paid chalet, you would no longer need to “sell your credits” back to the eMart unc—
MINDEF WANTS TO KNOW YOUR LOCATION
I mean, you no longer need to buy multiple white, green and dark blue socks for your wife to finish up the credits that will expire.
You can now do something more meaningful.
Introducing Book Out, Help Out.
An Initiative for the Benefit of Migrant Workers
Even if you’ve been in detention barracks for the whole of 2020, you’d know about the migrant worker issue.
A group of NSFs, who are most probably in ORD mode now, has come out with a brilliant idea to help them in collaboration with itsrainingraincoats, an initiative for the benefit of migrant workers in Singapore.
Called Book Out, Help Out, the secretive NSFs (so far) encourage us to donate any brand new items we’ve bought from eMart to migrant workers through donation drives that’ll be conducted from September 2020.
However, if you’re looking to donate your arc of fire sticks so that migrant workers can use them to drink bubble tea, don’t.
Reader Bao: But mine’s new and I’ve never used them to drink bubble tea.
It’s not that: while every item must be new, it should be one of these six items:
Reader Bao: Wait, now got water bottle and can buy with credits?
Well, I just logged in to my eMart account and saw that it’s a cash item for $6. Either those NSFs are in high ORD mood or they’d like us to buy with cash.
Which leads to the next question: now can shop online liao ah?
Yes, you can buy eMart items online, and it’s not through Shopee Mall but through the official eMart online store, which is only accessible to active soldiers.
Delivery is at $12.50 per order and you can pay the delivery fee with eMart credits, too.
So if you’re like me who just logged in and realise you’ve got some credits, and your ICT has been cancelled, maybe you can do some good instead of buying lots of towel.
The total credits required for the two pairs of shoes, towel and socks are $85.49, and cash would be $6 for the water bottle. I can’t find the thermometer online, though I remember seeing them being sold in a physical eMart before.
How to Donate
For now, simply head to this website and register your interest. If you’re interested to donate other items (must be brand new), you can do so, too.
However, do note that some items can’t be donated, especially stuff that’s clearly for the military, like your field pack.
Reader Bao: Wait, now can even buy field pack liao?
Yes, I, too, know about this only while writing this. You can follow the Instagram page here for more updates.
In the meantime, lest you’re wondering why we kept on emphasising on NSmen instead of NSFs even when the account appears to appeal to NSFs, it’s because based on experience, NSFs would’ve usually exhausted buying their essential items before they get back their pink / blue IC.
For NSmen…well, let’s just say that we use rubber bands instead of garters. Some didn’t even use rubber bands.
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
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