I refer to the letters expressing concern that the revised Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) may lower standards and that it will be too easy to pass (“Revised IPPT represents a lowering of standards”, July 26; “IPPT should be a struggle that builds our strengths”, July 26).
While this may be the impression of those who prefer the old IPPT format, I believe the test will still be a challenge and will not necessarily lead to a lowering of standards.
In insisting on the old approach, we may be losing sight of the purpose of National Service. Being able to excel in IPPT does not mean we can be great soldiers. Skills, knowledge and having the right attitude also matter.
Many of us may not be aware that we are the only country in the world that requires a conscript servicemen to pass IPPT or face remedial training, fines or even detention.
Singaporeans have been very positive in their response to NS. They give up two years of their life as full-time national servicemen (NSFs) and spend the next 13 years as operationally-ready NSmen (NSmen) who sometimes have to attend in-camp training, which may affect their contribution to their employers and their careers. So let us not nitpick over IPPT and consider the bigger picture.
While I appreciate the concerns of those who insist on the old measures of fitness, I am sure push-ups, sit-ups and the 2.4km run are sufficient measures of fitness to perform military tasks. These measures are also used by other countries with regular forces.
As an NS commander myself, I am aware that although pull-ups will no longer be required for IPPT, units will still use them for fitness training.
The question we should be concerned with is not how difficult the test should be but how it can help to encourage our NSFs and NSmen to keep fit and adopt exercises that can be done in the home, without the use of special equipment such as a pull-up bar.
I am not supporting the new system for personal benefit. I have passed the age for compulsory IPPT. I did excel under the old system and always attained the gold standard. I write this letter as a concerned citizen — that we seem to be more bothered with the process than the outcome.
It does not matter if we have three stations or five stations for the IPPT. With the new system, one would be encouraged to excel and, in the end, we would still have a fighting-fit army.
Sreedharan Suresh
*Article first appeared on TODAY Voices (28 July)