IPPT for NSmen suspended for another month till Sept 30: Mindef
SINGAPORE — Individual physical proficiency tests (IPPT) for operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) are suspended for another month, until Sept 30, the Ministry of Defence said in a phone text message sent to NSmen on Wednesday (Aug 5).
SINGAPORE — Individual physical proficiency tests (IPPT) for operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) are suspended for another month, until Sept 30, the Ministry of Defence said in a phone text message sent to NSmen on Wednesday (Aug 5).
Mindef said earlier in June that the suspension, which came into effect since the end of March, was up until Aug 31.
Asked why the suspension was extended, Mindef referred TODAY to its June 16 Facebook post, which stated that it would monitor the Covid-19 situation and review measures to keep servicemen safe.
Mindef had announced on June 16 that NSmen IPPT activities, as well as in-camp training (ICT) not deemed vital to operations, would continue to be deferred.
It was understood that ICTs deemed not vital to operations largely comprise skills training and refresher sessions, which do not have an impact on the overall readiness of National Service units when postponed on a relatively short-term basis.
Mindef’s Facebook post did not specify how long the non-vital ICTs will continue to be deferred, but TODAY understands that it remains suspended as of Wednesday.
Chief of Defence Force Melvyn Ong said in March that the Singapore Armed Forces would monitor the situation on a “month-by-month basis”.
In the latest text message, Mindef reiterated that it will grant a one-time waiver to those who had been due to take the fitness test during this period.
Affected NSmen will receive a letter in the next three weeks and can refer to the National Service portal for updates, it added.
The text message also stated that the temporary suspension to Sept 30 extends to the conduct of IPPT preparatory training and remedial training at fitness conditioning centres, Safra gyms and parks.