RESERVIST IPPT

Yes yes. You’ve completed your full time NS. You still have to serve for another 10 cycles. Not only that, you still have to pass your Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) every year. Every year. No escape. So how does this work?


I think this topic of IPPT is a good thing to blog about because it changes through the years. Good to know how it was like. 
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This picture has nothing to do with IPPT. Ok la maybe a bit.

IPPT had 5 stations. Just like how it was during active NS days. No difference.


Chin ups
Sit ups
Standing Broad Jump
Shuttle Run 
2.4km run


Complete all stations and check out your score. Here is the score chart. 
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Pretty straightforward.


So you have to at least pass the IPPT within your “window period” which is from your birthdate this year to your birthdate the following year. So let’s say my birthday is 1st February 2003, I have to pass my IPPT before 31st January 2004. Simple right? Just pass before your next birthday. Ideal situation, birthdate 1st February 2003, take the test and pass it on the 2nd of February 2003 and your window is cleared. Your next IPPT test window starts 2nd February 2004. 


Well, not everyone is fit. Including myself. I need to train before I can pass and I am usually lazy or have no time. So what happens if you don’t attempt an IPPT during the window? You get charged. Go up to CMPB in full uniform, face the officer in charge and wait your punishment. You can be fined a certain amount of money or if you are a repeat offender, you might just be imprisoned at the Detention Barracks. Damn… so serious. 


But if you pass, you will be rewarded. 
$400 for gold
$200 for silver
$100 for bronze


What if you attempted but still cannot pass? You will have to attend Remedial Training the following year for the IPPT that you failed this year. 


REMEDIAL TRAINING


So this was what I did. 


Window 1 : Attempt and fail
Window 2 : Go for RT and pass.
Window 3 : Attempt and fail
Window 4 : Go for RT and pass.


So basically I need to train during RT and then only I could pass.


Back then you had to book for your RT and they were on fixed dates. You cannot change the dates. If you already booked them, you will have to attend. 


RT had 2 phases. 


Phase 1 
8 Sessions 2 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 8th session. If you pass then good for you, window cleared. If you fail, go to Phase 2.


Phase 2
12 Sessions 3 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 6th session. If you fail, you continue your training till the 12th session. If you still fail on the 12th session, your window for the year is still cleared.


Best thing about RT is that, you get paid when you attend the sessions. I think I got paid about $20 per session so it wasn’t that bad. It was just the time that is troublesome. If I can remember correctly, the sessions were at 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 11am on weekends.


There were also 3 places that you can go for RT. Maju Camp, Khatib Camp and Bedok Camp. I tried them all. Maju Camp was the most relaxed, but it also means it’s harder to pass by phase 1. Bedok Camp was the toughest. I passed my IPPT at the end of session 1. 


I had no problems with my chin ups, sit ups, standing broad jump and shuttle run. I always get 5 points for all of them which is the maximum points. But I cannot pass my 2.4km and you have to pass all stations to pass the IPPT. So every time I go for RT, I will tell them that I need to train more on my running and they will put me in the running group.


IPT


Then there was also the IPT thing which I cannot remember what it stands for. If you choose not to go RT, you can go IPT. I think it was a 20 session thing. I cannot remember what was the benefit of going IPT. I think it was a programme where you know that you cannot pass even after training. So you go for this programme where you will be tested on the first day, mark your record and then train for 20 sessions. By the end of 20 sessions, you take another test and see if you have improved. If you did, then you pass the window. If you don’t then you have to still attend RT. And also you don’t get paid going for IPT. So I don’t see the point. I tried once. Just once. So ok there was some improvement and I passed. But the next years after that, I went back to doing RT. 


THE NEW IPPT


And then on my final year of NS, they changed the IPPT system to the new one where there are only 3 stations. Push ups, sit ups and 2.4km run. Basket. Suddenly after all the years of suffering in RT, you changed to an easier system. 


Here is the chart.

So I just had to spam my push ups and sit ups which I can train at home and then jog for my 2.4km and get at least 1 point and I pass.


Oh well, life is not fair but it is like that.
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This was my final IPPT. A pass is enough.

Next Week : First In Camp Training
Categories : The Army Series