Don't siam your reservist too. Managing them can be as sian as NS itself (& I'm in the "pro" camp) unless you plan to, or can be, based overseas till you're 40 or 50.

If cannot permanently tio holding list, then lagi best stay with same unit, attend every call-up, serve & f**k off. The process has become much streamlined anyway, inc. getting deferees to do makeup ICTs during the same workyear.

Believe me, the reward will come later in the training cycle. A combat unit typically peaks during the 6th ICT (latter 20s in age), then go downhill (everyone starting families, heavier job workloads, medical downgrades), quite senang between ages 30-35 (hence MINDEF changing this phase to BIT in '03), & no more IPPTs thereafter (transferring to MINDEF reserves as part of unit nominal roll).

Conversely, those who change units, or join in mid-career/mid-cycle, are at the mercy of the system. They could hook up a freshly-ROD outfit, usually very regimented for the 1st few ICTs (imagine drill parades when you're 30 & everyone else 22). Or, if tio veteran unit, eventually get recycled on to new posting (instead of retiring with your kakis). Even if revert back on holding list, you're liable for annual IPPT until age 40 or 50.

If die-die must do NS/reservist, sometimes it pays to follow the crowd. I'd gone through it: RODed 1988, finished ICTs 2001, formally discharged 2005. Pre-1996 was quite siong; post-1996 quite switch-off.

Obviously you didn't read the post :P

Nope, just offering a follow-up reality check. If you think about it, NS is a minimum 22-year commitment (using age 40 as benchmark). Obviously not as a full-time conscipt all the way but, at the same time, it's one of the longest tentured military service in the world. *shrug* Our lot in life.

Appreciate these "advice for pre-enlistees", but it's like primary-schoolers reminding kindergarteners.