This is the quick version of the BMT guide. Read this if your enlistment date is coming and you just want to settle the important stuff first.
One week before
- Start packing from the official list first. Add the extra comfort items after that.
- Buy black tape, ziplock bags, washing powder or liquid detergent, hangers, wet wipes, nail clipper, shaver, and enough underwear.
- If you wear spectacles, use dark-coloured plastic frames. Don't depend on contact lenses for training.
- Check that your watch is dark-coloured and cheap enough that you won't cry if it gets scratched.
- Take photos of important documents on your phone, but still bring what your enlistment letter asks for.
- Save CMPB, NS portal, and your parents' numbers somewhere easy to find.
Don't bring expensive stuff. The best BMT item is usually the one you don't mind destroying.
Haircut
Get your haircut one or two days before enlistment. Ask for a number 0 buzz cut.
If you can pinch and pull your hair, it's probably still too long. If your commanders think it's too long, you may have to pay for another haircut in Tekong and lose time that could have been used to unpack.
Packing without overpacking
Reddit packing threads all say the same thing after a while: most people overpack.
Things worth bringing:
- 7 to 12 pairs of underwear
- 6 to 10 hangers, plus clips
- 2 power banks if you are worried about confinement week
- Ziplock bags for small items, because bag checks are easier when your stuff is already sorted
- Febreeze or a small deodoriser, but don't expect it to save unwashed clothes
- Wet wipes for area cleaning
- A small amount of snacks to share, if your company allows it
Things you probably don't need much of:
- Civilian shirts. You'll be issued admin attire, and you usually book out in uniform.
- Huge bottles of toiletries. Small bottles are easier to store.
- Extra fancy camp gear. Don't bring military equipment bought outside.
Your first book out will be with the bag you brought in, the issued assault bag, and whatever else they make you carry. Don't make yourself suffer for no reason.
Phone and charging
Rules vary by company and school. Some people get to use wall plugs during admin time, some don't. Bring power banks anyway.
For the first confinement period, 2 x 20,000 mAh is usually enough if you are not watching videos every night. You also won't have as much phone time as you think.
Fitness
You don't need to become a commando before enlistment. Just make your body less shocked.
- Run a few times a week.
- Do push-ups and sit-ups properly.
- Break in your feet with longer walks.
- Learn to swim if you can't swim.
- Sleep earlier a few days before enlistment. You'll still be tired, but less destroyed.
Passing your Pre-Enlistee IPPT can affect your BMT length, so don't ignore it if you still have time.
Enlistment day
CMPB says to wear a collared shirt, long trousers, and shoes. No singlets, bermudas, shorts, slippers, or sandals.
Bring your NRIC, medical documents, immunisation records if available, PES and medical excuses printout from eHealth, toiletries, extra underwear, hangers, alarm clock, and a small padlock. If your enlistment letter says something different, follow that.
If you are sick on enlistment day, see a doctor and contact CMPB. Don't just disappear.
Mental prep
The first few days feel messy because everything is new: ranks, timings, fall-ins, shouting, laundry, area cleaning, and random instructions.
The useful mindset is simple:
- Be early.
- Label your things.
- Keep your locker locked.
- Ask your buddy if you are unsure.
- Don't act smart with rules you just learned yesterday.
You'll be confused. Everyone is. Just do the next correct thing and don't make your section pay for your mistake.