Ask TSL: National Service

We got the men in TSL to answer all your questions regarding National Service! From which camp has the best food, to their personal paranormal encounter👻.
Here are the questions that were answered:
0:00​ - Introduction
0:15​ - What were your rank, vocations and its scopes in NS?
1:57 - What are the different phases in NS beside BMT and ORD?
3:28 - Is the NS experience exactly like ‘Ah Boys To Men’?
4:11 - Did you experience any heartbreaks through the two years of NS?
4:21 - How did you prepare before enlisting?
5:23 - How well were you able to adjust to the system and if you are unfit, how did you get used to life in NS?
6:16 - How are the meals?
7:03 - Did you experience any paranormal activities?
8:52 - What happens if I don’t get along with my platoon mates?
9:20 - What happens when people do not bury their shit during outfield?
11:35 - Have you encountered any wild animals (such as wild boars) during outfields?
12:17 - What’s the toughest training or exercise?
13:26 - An advice you will give to new or upcoming recruits?
Follow The Smart Local on Social Media!
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Featuring:
Bolin Chen - / doughnutcookies
James Rainier - / justispao​
Mandon Lee - / zxns​
Hafeez Harris - / hafeezharris​
Produced, Filmed & Edited by:
Nicole Sim - / nicolesimxe
Business Enquiries:
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[@TheSmartLocal]

Do you have any paranormal encounters in NS?

[@a_llama]

there was an entire wing in my unit that for cordoned off because of suicide cases. some rooms still have a red chinese seal over the door

[@faye4208]

waking up to a buddy from hell everyday

[@anooymous84]

in my unit, whenever we have guard duty, we always walk with our resident guard cat to patrol.. usually quite peaceful until the dreaded 7th month. Once, our guard cat started meowing loudly at one of the checkpoints, its a clear signal for us to zhao back to base

[@Keowwwww]

Those that went to SI in stagmont camp would heard or know that the 6th floor of accom block(right side) is haunted. I remembered back then in 2014/2015, the bunks opposite the haunted bunk were still in use, but now the right side of the 6th is completely deserted, so deserted that no one cleans there up

[@leechong2291]

@@Keowwwww 😱, sounds sibei jialat!

[@nick38785]

Bolin needs to tell more stories

[@unknownlo]

IKR, he's quite good at story telling!

[@timcooks6605]

@@unknownlo AGREE

[@renonathan4816]

I think the best advice to anyone who is enlisting is just go in with an open mind and be yourself

[@amirzafir3626]

Thanks!

[@foxedrose]

Mandon’s air freshener story + the sound effect got me 😂😂😂 more haunted stories from TSL crew pls❤️

[@rasras8165]

Sial ah Mandon ghost story one sounds scary, I thought he turn right, he saw ghost one but then he saw air freshener😅😅😅😅 scared me only sia

[@ihearyou235]

Wa suddenly bolin speaking proper english and being serious HAHAHAHA

[@jaywai755]

Bolin’s story reminded me of my time in the army, times were tough but you make the best friends and memories. Glad I wasn’t posted to a boring unit to do admin work or store etc.

[@amandaoch]

Wasn't sure if I would enjoy this video because I've never been particularly interested in my friends' NS stories, but this was really entertaining and insightful!! Love how everyone narrated their stories, especially Bolin haha I like the laosai story. Hafeez also looked really suave with long hair. Hope future enlistees will benefit from this :)

[@halonick]

To upcoming enlistees : Go in with a positive mindset. During my time, I psycho-ed myself to have the mindset of : "Faster go in and faster come out, 2 years is really very fast one", and 2 years is really very fast when you look back. No matter how apprehensive you are gonna be for the following few weeks adapting to NS life, force yourself to have a positive mindset. After ORD, even if you hated your NS life, you will definitely have some eventful memories that you can look back on and can never experience anywhere else.

[@dicksonng5305]

Got Rainier in BMT is one of the best that happen. Everyday sing to everyone. But never bored of his singing. Hi bro!

[@CineGangSG]

HAHA EY YO DICKSON!

[@dicksonng5305]

@@CineGangSG keep doing content! Sarpork!

[@lukeTJQ]

I wanna meet Hafeez during reservist. Need to tell him he is one of the funniest dude

[@elysiayeong687]

i loved this vid.... i will forever support you channel!!!😁😁😁😁

[@Timholle]

Hafeez’s advices are great!

[@iffah2025]

the first thing i noticed was rainer’s jacket omg i want it

[@epiphadipity]

Wah can we have more NS stories, so fun leh.

[@guiishow2]

if you're looking to just pass the time (i.e. have no desire to stand out and/or to be promoted) DON"T be the best but DON"T be the worst. like meeting timings, don't be early because you'll be punished if there are latecomers (which there usually are) but don't be late either obviously cos you'll be punished too + people (those that were early) will hate you

[@sharpsshooter300]

Hafeez is me when my friends are talking about their army experience 😶 spf things HAHAH

[@til_valhalla16]

oi MANGKOK! LEFT PALMS DOWN!!!

[@Jinnlongg]

Watching this video reminds me that this year is my ROD year. ROD lo! 🤘🏻

[@timothyng4426]

Great content!

[@milk-tu9dz]

this is so timely LMAO my bro is doing his confinement period tmr

[@mdkh4ikmal615]

wadio

[@shadowdark6688]

I loveeeee this!!

[@zanegamingtv2252]

Combat Fit Chief Clerk here. NS best life for me.

[@cieloemare586]

Clerk here too!

[@biraynibishop]

Yay Bolin is here

[@ashleyyee2746]

Yayy bolin is backkk

[@AlWalker2023]

Fire trench; me and my buddy had to dig 2 trenches because the adjacent fire trench had only one guy. ( not sure what happened to his buddy ) that loner gave up digging pretty early so he did not do much digging, thinking the officer would empathise his situation and let it slide. Coming to daylight the officer came and arrow my buddy and I to help out and we need to finish it before sunrise. We were dying of exhaustion and now had to do almost the whole trench with roof and sandbags. That guy did do his part but the rate he was digging the sandbags was like making sandcastle by the beach. Whereas we were rushing to finish the job for someone else lobang. My buddy and I threw tantrums at our 2IC but still had to get the job done.

[@alvinterence]

Wah lau ehhh. When I’m out of maju camp then the cookhouse became restaurant HAHA

[@Noobmaster-sm1te]

Bolin looking fire

[@timeless215]

Bolin looks so handsome here haha Wah I laughed so goddamn hard at the shit story sia

[@Keowwwww]

During my 1st year soldier, IPPT was the old 5 station(shag AF), the current 3 station IPPT was only implemented in 2015, so my 2nd year was alot easier. 'Like' if you've done the 5 station during your NS

[@theadventurer1602]

Yeah my BMT was in the late 80s. That stupid chin up 🤣

[@Zirul98]

I never wanted to do the “bare minimum”. I did my best in BMT and they post me to be a storeman. All I do is count stuff, sign papers and that’s all. Honestly a waste of my two years. 3 more months till I ORD. I can’t stand this anymore.

[@Dalziel45]

Same here. My SOC timing 4 minutes 30 seconds(or 3 minutes 40seconds lol forgot which) . IPPT not gold lol but still decent mah silver. Volunteer for everything etc, enthusiasm in everything. Motivate my platoonmates etc etc etc. Carry rifle for my buddy + 2 more sectionmates during multiple route marches. Where else can you find such spirit? Posted as driver. lool fuck SAF (edit: for those who haven't do ns, 4 mins is alr like top 10% kind of speed for the standard obstacle course)

[@Zirul98]

@@Dalziel45 Silver here too mate, i feel ya. I agree, fuck saf.

[@johnwig285]

@@Dalziel45 the reason is simple. U both didnt do well in a major component which is the test at CMPB before enlistment. That test itself determines wether u are eligible for special operations units and command school. Its not all abt the brawns i.e. ur IPPT timing, SOC. Dont downplay ur own roles as drivers and storeman respectively. And u got silver, which means lower chance of getting into combat vocations.

[@limjunjie1972]

Ayeee I'm enlisting tmr!!!!

[@guard961]

wgt wadio

[@leechong2291]

Gd luck to u bruh🙏! Got ur talisman/📿 with u?

[@limjunjie1972]

@@leechong2291 Thanks!! Yes all prepared!😆

[@JJOlajideOlatunji]

Finally hafeez inside the videos

[@johnwig285]

Trust me, at first when y'all go into BMT, y'all be like "Fk NS lah" and then cant wait to ORD. But let me tell you, you'll form great memories and the day after u ORD, ull miss NS. Same logic applies to school. U hate it until u graduate from it then ull miss it.

[@cieloemare586]

Not sure I really miss NS

[@shucklesors]

the defence system in singapore is really really really big la. some people feel like what you said, and their circle of friends generally dont disagree with them so they also can know so much from their view point, and they think NS is something everyone will miss. but actually there are some postings and some places and some sections and some cliques where NS was not a great time objectively, the whole damn way. even though i understand that youre not coming from a harmful or "showoff" place.

[@xueying2210]

Hi bolin, we have miss you!!! ❤️😭😭❤️

[@Rocky_Johnson]

Nice stories.

[@maxyth3d1v3r]

I saw Hafeez on 25 March at HTA if I'm correct it was him

[@yuugoldfish5159]

Idk why but its nice to see everyone on the screen t wear black hahaha xD Also this feels like a "BACK TO SCHOOL" video but instead its "BACK TO ARMY"

[@triplemysterio123]

hahaha the last part, and also only ranier can ask all of them to knock it down

[@adrianC_]

NS teaches you what is discipline, you will be a more mature and confident person after NS.

[@mysticery]

Anyone surprise rainer was a lta? 🤣 Cannot see him the same way anymore.

[@sdqsdq6274]

ha, imagine working with him then see him in reservist ,sure shock ,haha

[@leechong2291]

Bcos Rainier possess leadership qualities 👍👍

[@awkwardsmile]

Bolin tells the best stories and i feel bad that hafeez is left out whenever mandon keeps turning to rainer 🤣🤣

[@actuallychoo]

Bolin's stories HAHAHA

[@jeffer8762]

Bolin has the closer experience as me, 3SG in Infantry , go oversea Brunei Taiwan really jungle game, true army

[@lordbluefire6335]

did you piak any twmm?

[@baymaxsaver9240]

Just wondering ah, cuz gg NS for PTP soon, how long is the first book out and when?

[@matt9445]

have missed Bolin being in front of the Camera!!

[@joiandcookie]

First and early yay!

[@pokemonacer]

They really got the gd positions but then my brother got what? The boring one (basically one of the descendants of the sun scenes)

[@sugarlove8064]

I was excited for this. But no subs yet la..😅 ill be back!

[@financecasper214]

Walao you all specially make this video for me right cause I enlisting in two weeks

[@bren_da_]

I was so distracted by Rainier's shorts lei,I kept thinking did he wet his pants or something lol!😅🤣😂

[@TheSmartLocal]

🌚🌚🌚

[@bren_da_]

@@TheSmartLocal 🤪🤪🤪

[@ronnie2779]

bolin loves his encik

[@ms.d8394]

Those Mandon Annoyed Counts 🤣🤣🤣

[@demonetization6596]

I legit cannot do infantry or land or whatever, I’m sick all the time either stomach problem or nausea or lightheaded. I hope I go like the IT or technical/engineering for vocation.

[@limpei6542]

You think it's your grandfather's army? Can choose where you want to go?

[@demonetization6596]

@@limpei6542 bruh I said I hope, I didn't say I will force my way in like some special snowflake

[@jfatsnorlax]

What about the storeman and clerk stories?

[@cieloemare586]

haha i chaokenged during NS. Not proud of it but it was my rebellious phase

[@blackshotlocatorfan]

FIRST AND FOREMOST!

[@sherynang481]

More of Bolin please 😃

[@vonvoomz8163]

can yall do advices from females doing ns!!

[@lyhthegreat]

females don't do ns, they only can sign on..

[@ryujinxyyeji]

@@lyhthegreat yeah but it would be interesting to listen to their stories

[@jackjackyphantom8854]

Girls can choose but guys can't.

[@LostGlenn]

James every day sing during BMT nia hahahaha same platoon everyday hear him

[@honeybeenoonie]

Mandon n the airfreshener hahahaha!!!

[@hello13456]

Do an episode with girlfriends of ns men!

[@snorlaxDjoker]

Wawa maju camp the legendary butterfly girl

[@nathanchong7731]

11:56. Haha the mouth open

[@abdulhaleem981]

How to tell others you’re a Singaporean Son without telling them you’re a Singaporean Son🙂

[@reneday8162]

Early

[@seanistrying]

ration vv nice with dessert 😫🤤

[@davidteogy513]

pes C9 stayout admin support assistant :))

[@1sttikoAquila]

HAHAHAHA was in maju camp with rainier always go his office lepak 😂😂😂😂

[@sdqsdq6274]

wah this rainier surprised me with his rank ,looking at his hairstyle ,uncanny, lol

[@kert6653]

Mandon did not just buah the slipper on the pillow..

[@BrysonCY]

Part 2?

[@9cowbell9]

BMT is the best get fit/ slimming program out there guaranteed plus chop

[@its_silas_]

What was the "febreeze thing" that they mentioned???

[@bashmybrain]

to make ur clothes not smelly i think

[@tangpenguin]

it's a kind of clothing spray to make your clothes smell fresher, febreze is the brand and alot of NS boys use it when they can't wash their uniforms in time

[@navrillera]

WHERES THEIR BOTAK PICS?? 😭

[@UnhingedProduction]

wtf i juz finished confinement and this video comes out LMAO

[@amirzafir3626]

Confinement?

[@DC-ru5xz]

Anyone got any PES E9 experiences?

[@megatron567enroute]

Is Mandon an AOS

[@starstrucklights]

Omg is it just me?! I THOUGHT BOLIN WAS MALAYSIAN HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

[@leechong2291]

Yup, only U sia😅. Bolin is a typical sg ah beng😂

[@asdfghjcjy2504]

BOLINNNNN

[@MrAlvinSinfulSong]

LTA waahhh

[@jjisafatneek7779]

Like shiok ahh the story but my one more shiok. 5 days oni my brt (basic rescue training) then i post out do 8-6 job for 2 bloody year.

[@haikalcockle]

Ord oh

[@truelord]

Bolin need to tell the story of his bmt m company crazy PS 😆😆

[@CutieRingoJoy]

My nephew slim down but everyone say confirm after he finish his ns he will gain back the fats

[@edwardchan1805]

I want to ord

[@iwavns]

Subtitles: Korean (auto-generated)

[@ronnie2779]

Wah rai rai is a LTA sia

[@Bryaneng27]

Damn bolin were u from K coy in Scs

[@mingkuangho648]

Where is the SCDF representation!?!?!

[@ashleyyee2746]

Never seen hafeez so serious before sexc

[@dumdumoli5501]

bucky

[@pamelalivia5982]

WAIT ... I THOUGHT HAFEEZ IS MALAYSIAN 😧😧

[@BeachBoi1000]

NS police shiok sia....

[@emilwakin6134]

rainer needs to get in shape

[@nathanchong7731]

4:18

[@soggyfries3663]

am i early or not LOL

[@samuellee4160]

bolin, school what? which encik HAHA

[@mileyslim7615]

Early lol

[@auudacity8335]

imagine asking this for oral in ur exams

[@youtubehalite6940]

early