DIGGING IN... MARCHING ON... ONWARD TOGETHER

In the second of a two-part series, The Sunday Times follows four recruits, who completed eight weeks of physical training because they did not pass or sit their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), through nine weeks of basic military training

- Jane Ng Senior Correspondent Lim Yaohui Executive Photojournalist

Recruits warming up before the start of their night march at 8.45pm from Changi Coast Walk to The Kallang. Teacher Angeline Ong meets her son, Mr Wesley Oon, at his rest point in East Coast Park during his night march. He is carrying their family dog. Recruits crossing the Tanjong Rhu Suspension Footbridge towards the end of their night march from Changi Coast Walk to The Kallang.

The first few weeks of basic military training (BMT) build up to one of the most challenging events recruits will face the field camp.

A handful of recruits may not mind the five days and four nights of roughing it out in the Tekong jungle, but most dread it.

There is no mattress or electricity. Nor are there mobile phones to communicate with family or friends, even after hours.

There is also no chance of showering after strenuous physical activity that leaves recruits soaked with perspiration and mud, so they clean themselves with wet wipes or antibacterial powder.

Field camp, or outfield training, simulates operational conditions and is designed to provide recruits with five days of practical experience in the field.

The three main activities are digging a shell scrape (a shallow trench), often under the sweltering sun; fire and movement (learning to advance towards or retreat from targets); and a situational test that aims to assess leadership ability under stress via a simulated mission.

To top it off, recruits need to apply, and reapply, camouflage cream on their faces.

"I don’t like the camo. When I sweat, I can taste the grainy texture," says Mr Haravin Shaun Sivakumar, 20, a biomedical science diploma graduate from Singapore Polytechnic.

He finds it especially tough digging the shell scrape on Day 2 of the field camp using a changkol, a digging tool.