POV: I tried to get a taste of NS life via the 2-day Women's Bootcamp. Yes, I know it's not the full deal.

A part of me kind of feels like I know what goes on during National Service.

My partner, my father, my brother, and a lot of my male friends, inadvertently regale me with their stories about what happens when men get together and undergo military training together.

It feels like I live through them vicariously, learning about water parades, strict lights-out timings, as well as the heady rush of booking out, and the imminent dread of booking in.

But do I actually know what they are saying?

The hardship? Their camaraderie? All the smells?

So, when the opportunity arose to participate in the Women's Boot Camp 2025, I thought, "Why the heck not?"

Perhaps then, I can see what the men in Singapore go through when they tell me they have served the nation.

Reporting for duty

I trudged into Maju Camp with an open mind and little expectations on Nov. 21, a Friday evening.

Joined by 200 other women, we were split into four platoons and 12 sections.

After we gathered in the multi-purpose hall, we were briefed on what to expect over the next two days.

Foot drills

To help us survive, we were given an assault pack with some essentials and a little night snack before we had our first small taste of army life.

Led by volunteers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the SAF Volunteer Corps, participants were then shown basic foot drills and commands.

Because what are we if we cannot take instructions.

Next, we were made to undergo the water parade, where participants held their bottles at a 90-degree angle to their arms and recited the eight core values of the SAF before drinking up.

We were then sent straight to the bunk to quickly wash up and hit the sack by 10:30pm, so we all got "seven hours of uninterrupted rest".

This was continuously emphasised, as reveille was set for 5:30am and all participants needed "seven hours of uninterrupted sleep".

But how is that even possible if you have so much fluids stored in your body?

Hmmm.

The next morning

The next day, after a groggy start with another water parade and cookhouse food, we were readied for a day full of activities that allowed participants try to understand what our Singaporean Sons go through.

Before the women were allowed to ride aboard the SAF's Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle, they had to learn about the Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

This was followed by trying our hands at performing combat buddy aid and resuscitation drills after witnessing a demonstration of combat medical aid by medical personnel.

Shooting our shot

While becoming proficient in the modern art of war and resuscitating a fallen comrade were crucial things to learn, the highlight was still the Individual Marksmanship Trainer, where we all got to try out the range simulator.

I would not have known what this was even called, as I used to refer to it as the "pew pew pew" segment.

At the boot camp, we got to experience what it was like to fire the SAR-21 rifle, and got acquainted with the different range procedures and commands at a range.

On the final day after smearing camo cream all over our faces, we went through a two-sided simulated battle using SAR-21s equipped with the Tactical Engagement System training equipment.

The recoil, I learned, was no massage gun.

Lastly, we went through parts of the Standard Obstacle Course and tried some of the obstacles, like the low rope.

Boy, have I heard some stories about the Jacob's Ladder before this.

Seeing it in person, I finally could understand how challenging it can be.

Different backgrounds

As I stood among my section mates, it was heartening to see women from all walks of life come together to participate in the boot camp.

There were a total of 201 of us from all ages and backgrounds.

We all showed up on our own accord with a different reason for signing up.

My section had two 13-year-olds accompanying their mothers, who were experiencing something new together.

A trio of teenagers who had just finished their examinations and wanted to try something fun.

There were also colleagues who wanted to understand more about NS and what their partners, who were regulars in the force, had gone through.

What I learned

The boot camp was a tiring two-and-a-half-day affair.

It provided a snippet of NS life that was still palatable to the general public but left us in awe of the men in Singapore who went through this.

I was worn out by the end of the whole camp, and I cannot begin to imagine what the men feel having to go through this for months on end.

It also made me appreciate the hard work and discipline of our NSmen, and confident in the capabilities of our armed forces that is always alert and ready.

I know this boot camp does not cover everything our NSmen do, or the intensity of what they undergo.

But it makes me wonder what doing this for two years is really like.

Recruit Hannah, signing off.

Top photos via Hannah Martens/Mothership