Dear The Real Singapore,
I just saw on your website (NG ENG HEN: IPPT WILL NOW ONLY CONSIST OF 2.4KM, SIT-UPS AND PUSH-UPS) that IPPT have abolished Shuttle Run and Standing Broad Jump as well as replaced Pull-Ups to Push-Ups.
I want to share with you that I am really happy that the MINDEF finally changes the IPPT stations. I am a very fit guy, I love running but I always fail my standing broad jump. I always feel that standing broad jump does not equate to my body fitness at all and it is a stupid station because even fit people will fail standing broad jump. If you have longer legs you jump further, thats all! Seriously, I have never understood how standing broad jump is a test of fitness. So you can jump like a frog, well hooray for you I guess, but I know so many other guys who are as strong as a bull but can't jump far enough to pass the station. I also never got the point of shuttle run, you run to and fro like a headless chicken for... what again? There is the 2.4km run to test both your stamina and speed anyways
I think its a good change, because under the old system, just because I fail standing broad jump, I fail overall, and people think I'm not fit.
"Now that standing broad jump is gone, I'm quite sure I can get at least a silver. I am glad that the PAP government is also listening to us NSman because honestly NSman is really discriminated in the workforce with all the reservists and if you still fail your IPPT you still must go for RT. I lost my first job because my boss told me that they prefer to hire a foreigner since they don't have to pay for my CPF as well as they are able to commit more to the work project on task since they won't suddenly disappear like me to attend Reservists or RT.
I think NS men should be very happy! I will definitely cast my vote for the PAP in the next election because it shows that the government really did listened to us average Singaporeans.
According to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, he believes that "This new format will make it simpler for NS men to train for IPPT, and for more to pass. Many other militaries use 3-station tests to keep their forces fit."
Furthermore, the new test will not require a NS men to meet a passing mark in order to pass the test.
Minister Ng Eng Hen said: "We will also have more age bands and a new scoring system. Instead of a pass mark for each station, points will be awarded and the combined points from the 3 stations will be used. This way, soldiers can make up through more sit-ups, if they are weak in push-ups and running, or vice versa. There’s a limit to how much you can make up, but I like this counting system because it encourages NSmen to max out on each station and it plays to the individual’s strengths."
This is very good because I can use my 2.4km fast running skills to compensate for my weaker stations such as sit-ups.
I can't find any flaws in this new IPPT system except for praises.
Good job MINDEF!
Good job Singapore government!
3SG Lim
TRS Contributor