Uncommon Grit EP 2: What Does It Take To Break

The heat is on and the aspiring Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) candidates get a sense of what it takes to be a SOTF trooper. Through a series of strenuous "warm-up" sessions that seem to go on forever, they begin one of the key tests, the Load Bearing Vest Run. Failing this would mean elimination from the two-week long Joint #SpecialForces Selection.
🎥 Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of #UncommonGrit, every Thursday at 8pm!
Check out our other channels here:
Facebook: / mindefsg
Twitter: / mindefsg
Instagram: / mindefsg

[@nalanat]

Each episode needs to be longer.

[@timlee2609]

I think they can't show much since they need to maintain the secrecy of the unit, which is why the faces and voices are all censored

[@kaiyuanzhang]

@@timlee2609 the censoring of faces are not very consistent thou...

[@Jayson619]

@@kaiyuanzhang Probably the ones not censored are the ones who didn't make the cut.

[@iam4026]

@@kaiyuanzhang even those who are censored, some of their faces aren’t censored well enough. Just look at 7:32

[@jameswyd]

The intro already wasted 1min30s

[@johnwig285]

Just a tip for those who feel pressured whenever u kena hammered: Frame everything positively, dont think of it as a suffering but a gym workout with ur buddies. You have to recognise that all the shouting is to train you mentally and not some personal attack. Look forward to turnouts, i actually find the chaos therapeutic lol.

[@ImperialArmour]

During my stint they just called it "SF selection", even before going up to the bunks you have to take out every badge and rank, including your name. You're only identified by the number on your right breast pocket. There's a lot of details they left out in this short video, basically a lot of it are creative mind games + physical hammer, all very professionally conducted. Just going through this selection will make you learn a lot more about yourself than any course in the rest of the SAF.

[@stephenshw2262]

Certain things are best left unknown

[@limxuanyi5398]

The weirdest and coolest thing to me is seeing an Air Warfare Officer from Air Defence Operations Command in this JSFS

[@aryansingh3263]

timestamp?

[@ee-sj8qr]

why is it weird? awo officers are very fit. they have infamous 7/11 soc run with sandcans.

[@DragonX2X7]

Well, the course is open to all in the SAF regardless of the unit. As long as you can make the cut, you can join. You'll be surprise about how diverse their background are, from what units, etc.

[@DragonX2X7]

@@ee-sj8qr True, there are a ton of very fit and mentally strong people everywhere. Which is 1 of the many reasons why the course is open to all. As long as the mind is strong, the body will follow, which is why 1 of the instructors in there said that fitness can be trained.

[@shotnothing3419]

the guy probably gbad, not atc or c3

[@teemothywong]

sick transition at 5:48!

[@vincentyeo5043]

They need to be paid much much more! I'll gladly consent the increase in gst for their continued service.

[@ee-sj8qr]

im proud of the awo officer who got in. Above all!

[@shotnothing3419]

my man's probably gbad tho, i.e. army cosplay as rsaf

[@jianxiongRaven]

@@shotnothing3419 lol. but male sense to be wearing green.

[@shotnothing3419]

@@jianxiongRaven honestly rsaf's uniform doesn't make sense, most things in airbase are painted green anyway

[@johnwig285]

@@shotnothing3419 aiya it's just a form of identity not meant to really blend in

[@indosingchannel.]

Thumbs up👍👍

[@rok_lonewolf]

It's very impressive to check candidates's body temperature by themselves after the harassment.

[@pikk2525]

When they step on your face with a combat boot you still won’t break

[@mechislander]

I was issued that model of LBV when I went in so many years ago. As in to NS. Obviously not this course.

[@vicktor4076]

So?

[@nicrome]

Best lbv model

[@nicrome]

The blurring of faces abit inconsistent, eg the last frame of the opening credits

[@nobody2023]

As a Malaysian, much respect to this brave young man. 🫡

[@maxsim6242]

Just around 30 years ago, training was a lot tougher than it is now

[@nobody2023]

@@maxsim6242 yes, i agree. Decades ago soldier must be really2 strong due to lack of technology. Soldiers back then relied to them self beside also covering thier comrade to stay fighting. but if there is no old then there is no new

[@SharkbaitOhLala]

You can tell who made the cut and who didn't by which faces are blurred out :-(

[@stephenwonghongweng4298]

apparently 90% cut rate

[@dragb6281]

What is the speed and distance for the LBV run ?

[@lychvy8023]

I'm guessing unknown distance, and that candidates arent given a time to meet which is a good thing for the selection; it induces more mind games in the candidates since they have nothing to reference to.

[@lancequek5203]

@@lychvy8023 this whole selection if you look at it is all mind over body

[@sgtjyf01]

Just my time as a BDC trainee in NDU, all our ranks are removed from our uniform. I'm surprised that wasn't the case here.

[@chanleochanleo3021]

When you suffering through the course...nobody remembers the rank.

[@albertpang102]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂🤣😂🤣😅🤣😅🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂😂 Why sacrifice yourselves and you precious 🩸 🩸 for millennium red dot 🔴🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝 and the PAP huh 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Jack-hy2ki]

@@albertpang102 sorry to say your cyber attacked tactic don't work here.

[@DragonX2X7]

Yea I find it quite weird too since Ranks are removed for Ranger course too. Maybe it's due to "only a 2 week, selection course" ("short duration" + "selection").

[@jianxiongRaven]

@@DragonX2X7 yeah maybe is cuz its selecttion ? 😂 once SFQC then will ?

[@vitaliyvyntu4566]

Hello from Ukraine

[@jameskohmingwenchannel1257]

What are the 5 badges on the LTC uniform?

[@Thyassasin99]

looks like master diver, master jumper, i have no idea whats on the top for the local badges. US and thai jumper on the overseas side

[@mister.karate]

@@Thyassasin99 Correct. And the one at the top on his left chest is the Master Freefall badge.

[@tankfuzz-9746]

The local badges are Advanced military free fall, master parachutist and professional diving badge

[@suasponte5562]

Master airborne(SG), Master freefall (SG), pro diver (SG) , thai airborne , indo airborne

[@IRP01]

Are SOTF operators expected to also attend the ranger course?

[@TWJYILY]

Yes.

[@sepniner4848]

SOTF is a grouping of unit for tasking,, units from mostly SF operators, not all operators are Ranger qualified n not a requirement, but as a career soldier, thats part of the requirement inorder for u to move further with better prospect, its 2 different thing altogether. note,, Ranger in SAF context is a small unit leadership course(similar to US personal that are not assigned to the Ranger Rgmt) while SAF do not have a Ranger Regiment.

[@laoshufen91]

Longer episode la. You wanna sign extra is it!

[@winstonng8885]

What happens if a commando regular couldn't pass SFQC and/or Ranger?

[@TheSunMoon]

Probably can try again, after some time.

[@simonloo1588]

They can always retake but if I am not wrong this course only max twice a year …if they failed repeatedly , their contract renewal as cdo or ndu is definitely affected or promotion are affected or not given key appointment until current contract finishes

[@kwfong3466]

He may have to serve his next tour out of the formation. I think one has to be a Ranger to hold OC appointment within the formation

[@simonloo1588]

@@kwfong3466 yes ranger tab seem more important than this qualification for career . Know of someone privately who had ranger but no this one and rather senior in the echelon. Seem most cdo regulars have ranger tab.

[@DragonX2X7]

Assuming things have not changed, regulars who cannot clear the Ranger course will not be offered the "2nd contract". I'm guessing if time permits, they will get to retake the course up to a certain number of tries. Though there is a very limited number of course conducted per year. Many years back I've heard that from "X" date/year onwards, all CDO regulars must obtain the Ranger tab to stay in the force as the formation want every CDO regular to be Ranger trained.

[@Wuyh99]

2mins to get all those doesn't sound possible...it's like a meant to fail kind of task

[@DragonX2X7]

You'll be surprised how much can be done in that 2mins by motivated people. Certain changing parade can be done in 1min (after going through a few rounds of different variations, the speed increases, thus less time spent), though I've heard it's been banned for many years now (due to possible injury while rushing down stairs). Seeing/hearing the things they need and assuming they have to "fall in" downstairs in the open area, it should be fine. If they are to "fall in" just outside the bunk (like the one shown in the video while in push up position), then 2 mins should be more than enough. If they are required to move around in that crawling position then the time seems to be rather tight.

[@jianxiongRaven]

I do wonder if the CDO and NDU guys , especially those that are also Officer have it slightly easier because of the training prior too this 🤔 But of course not saying comfirm will pass or what

[@jianxiongRaven]

@@dyu4634 ah i c

[@arabesque2222]

Are they all saf regulars or are some of them NSF? If they are NSF, are they selected to be in this course or did they apply to be in it?

[@TheSunMoon]

Doubt NSF, because the course is quite lengthy. Plus it's sort of investment. Unless the NSF already 100% signed on, don't think they're allowed.

[@dodo5346]

All SAF regulars and a few NSF that will be signing on

[@habitatsk8boarder]

Confirm all regular bro.

[@dodo5346]

@@habitatsk8boarder no, not all. Very few NSF but will be signing on

[@jianxiongRaven]

@@dodo5346 ya if not i also dk how the unit CO recommend the NSF. Very difficult

[@MrQuackism]

Say the LBV run, any idea how much 12 dummy magazine weighs?

[@lychvy8023]

I wonder if they have dummy plates on as well. Hopefully yes. Didnt notice any dummy weapon during the run as well which is odd...

[@mrcannotfindaname]

1 dummy mag usually simulate the fully loaded weight, so you can approximate by using 30 rounds of 5.56

[@TheSunMoon]

Maybe around 500g? Less than a kilo likely. That's some additional weight, if there's 12 of them, even if it weighs half kilo.

[@kalentchia4939]

each dummy mag 0.6kg,so 12 is 0.6×12=7.2kg

[@shagshagrto]

total load w LBV ,12 mag, 2 filled water btls, misc stuffs without rifle is 10kg

[@jameskohmingwenchannel1257]

What are the 5 badges on the uniform of the commanding officer?

[@suasponte5562]

Master airborne(SG), Master freefall (SG), pro diver (SG) , thai airborne , indo airborne

[@dodo5346]

Indonesia airborne and Thai airborne on his right side. Left side from the top is advanced free fall parachutist, senior parachutist, and combat diver badge

[@user-ks7er6kp6s]

Every badge is salary increment 🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️🎖️

[@kelvintan821]

He was my wing commander during my time in OCS. He actually has another set of uniform with another set of badges. Mad lad is built different.

[@Jack-hy2ki]

@@user-ks7er6kp6s no increment one lah.

[@user-ln2th5nq1g]

Curious how does the salary compare to a regular? Apart from risk pay being higher, wonder if the basic is also higher?

[@aero.l]

I once read a a book about the US Navy SEALS. The author said that no one signs up for the Navy SEALS for the salary or food. So if you're asking that, you're probably not suitable.

[@user-ln2th5nq1g]

@@aero.l Asking about the salary prospects doesn't equate to trying to recruit for the SOTF. Since their work is obviously tougher, I'm just trying to understand if their remuneration is commensurate with their efforts or if the ministry values their work more than the typical regular and therefore compensate them more accordingly, since salary is often an indicator of amount of value brought to an organization.

[@ezekielk.3629]

Your not qualified also by not answering the question

[@aero.l]

@@ezekielk.3629 🤡

[@bobhin7986]

Something extra called “risk pay”. commando, divers, EOD all have this

[@Wuyh99]

why some of their faces r censor and some are not?

[@arabesque2222]

I was wondering the same... my only conclusion is that those whose faces were shown did not make the cut. If so, kinda cruel to be showing their face 🤔

[@DragonX2X7]

Question asked at least twice and answered. Go read the older comments.

[@norman6499]

There is a big difference between “training for war” and “training knowing there will be no war” …

[@yeet-2322]

In case of war

[@bobhin7986]

So to be a Singapore Armed Forces Commando Special Operations Force Counter Terrorist Plain Clothes unit member must pass this course ah? Maybe the guy shouting at the library many years ago is the master trainer 😂

[@stephenshw2262]

He's the Master Chief

[@sepniner4848]

no such thing as CT plain clothes unit.

[@junyang1434]

so can show face or cannot show

[@weiyang4589]

Cannot show faces of instructors/trainees as they are special forces and identity is confidential. Its the same worldwide where u dont expose ur operational special forces.

[@DragonX2X7]

Face shown = likely didn't make the cut. Face not shown = likely they make the cut and thus identity shld be protected.

[@jianxiongRaven]

@@weiyang4589 wa . then how do they introduce themself to ppl putside if SF ? family members ? or just say in cdo ? thwir uniform shld hv sf badge ?

[@JonjonVeloce]

The difference between the keyboard warriors and those special force is they do but not talk. But the same thing is .. all the profiles are hidden XD

[@DragonX2X7]

Some are not so hidden actually, due to the high position they hold. But of course they will only show very general/brief info.

[@iam4026]

LOL NICE ONE

[@iam4026]

@@DragonX2X7 yeah but for the most part they’re heavily a secret

[@DragonX2X7]

@@iam4026 of course the impt stuff are secrets. You can easily google who is the Head of CDO and his roles/position/etc. I even felt that some "roles"/"position"/etc wasn't necessary to include but it's out there in the public. Well at the very least I know people in that community are really tight-lipped so whatever is shown, must be fine.

[@lancequek5203]

@@DragonX2X7 I have a friend who is in a Div HQ. He told me there are some rooms with computer terminals but no one there. Also, other than normal maintenance they are not supposed to go inside. Probably the SOF guys have some additional appointments to hide their true appointments? Haha

[@duffvader6731]

This video was filmed 10 years ago? Look at the old lbv.

[@user-xs4mu8xm7d]

Looks like it. Even their field packs are of the old olive green design which was phased out around 2011.

[@tankfuzz-9746]

They are just using old stock, just like how some recon cadets use old ALICE pack for training

[@TWJYILY]

Filmed in 2019.

[@Eonclaire]

ALICE pack is the best. Still used today in some units. The load bearing and utility is just up there

[@TheSunMoon]

ALICE pack best, have lower back support and the frame.

[@mcedyk6589]

What’s up with the half ass censors?

[@heyheyyourmum950]

walao some faces u nvr blur

[@ezekielk.3629]

Keyboard special forces warrior like Alex Linn going around making assumptions. Only know how to read books but triggered by Ex-SF sharing.

[@TWJYILY]

Hi bro, we meet again XD

[@raminderkaur6788]

If You say you are SOF or commando but with out an RANGER tap you still one step down

[@TheSunMoon]

It's almost a requirement for rank promoti within their unit.

[@DragonX2X7]

SOF trainings are way tougher than Ranger course, if the person is a SOF trooper, Ranger will be a breeze (not that they will be complacent though, since it's still 1 of the toughest course). Many years back I've already heard that there is a requirement for CDO regulars to get their Ranger tab (not tap). If not, they will not be offered the "2nd contract".

[@lancequek5203]

@@DragonX2X7 think it's still true now...

[@sydznl]

3 years to edit?

[@acestrike40]

Maybe clear opsec issues?

[@legendbrahhhh]

why not?

[@jianxiongRaven]

ya i guess always sent final video to review , more mosaic here or there . last min changes also hv

[@dodo5346]

Because those that passed JSFS would then go for SFQC. JSFS is 2 weeks and then SFQC is 8-9 months if I’m not mistaken. Took 3 years cos they need to wait to know which faces they have to blur out and which faces they can leave it as it is. And also of course they need to go through the footage to cut out parts that couldn’t be revealed etc

[@ee-sj8qr]

how did u know its 2019 video?

[@jajalshadow]

doesnt wearing spectacles immediately disqualify them?

[@phoenixboy8279]

Eyesight can be easily corrected with laser. Not an issue.

[@DragonX2X7]

nope, there are certain eye sight requirements but definitely NOT glasses = out.

[@jajalshadow]

@@DragonX2X7 i was thinking the same way too. like wearing specs in SF is a huge no no.

[@DragonX2X7]

@@jajalshadow In a sense SG have to be realistic too, myopia is on the increase in every developed country, SG's increase is higher than average too. As long as the doc (along with other information) can prove/show that it doesn't affect (or affect too much) their combat abilities, it shldn't be an issue. There are ways to "tie down" the specs to make sure it's secure. In the Army, everything shld be "tied down" on the person, including the side arms. So if specs can "fall off" so no specs allowed, then the same can be said for side arms. Just a side note, doc/scientist have enough evidence that wearing glasses alone wont affect pilots doing their jobs (be it combat or commercial), up to a certain limit (colour blind is a no-no, but shld still check with an Aviation Doc as they know best). Any pilots wearing glasses just need to have a 2nd pair with them just in case the 1st pair gets dmg/lost/etc.

[@SuperRoxyyyyy]

😆

[@misterbig9025]

Real combat experience makes real soldiers!

[@duffvader6731]

Then you go do combat and come here share with us loh, mister big cannon.

[@ganboonmeng5370]

That's not totally true...soldiers who stayed too long in combat...are very often damaged product...for your information more US soldiers die from suicide then from actual combat..in Iraq..Afghanistan...and they continue to kill themselves...many years later...The best troops are the very well trained FRESH troops...

[@MrQuackism]

Did you say this because you got kicked out of the Special forces selection? Or you kena bully in the army? Or you fail OCS?

[@ultimaxed8239]

"Real combat experience makes real soldiers!" ~ commented by someone whos closest experience are FPS games

[@duffvader6731]

@@MrQuackism maybe he kena sodo by encik. 😱😱

[@dellamonte387]

video=sketching Reality= train the trainer copy and paste outdated techniques Anyone with passion for the Military and train religiously can make it. it's not difficult and impossible. it's all in the mind and heart.

[@rudylopez5060]

censored the face for what? the producer really stupiak. the recent prison documentary on CNA, they dun even censor the inmates faces. for this episode, our soldiers, they go and censored. might as well dun air it on youtube.. really stupiak

[@ee-sj8qr]

are u dumb, special forces faces are not supposed to be shown on screen

[@space4495]

It was shown coz the inmates agreed to reveal their identities so those blurred faces in CNA documentary and here were the ones preferred to keep it secret.

[@lychvy8023]

Wait, did they just skip a whole week's worth of content? Really that much cant be shown? Quite a bummer tbh... and unpopular opinion but I wonder if there's the need for all the emphasis on safety, temp taking when it's SF selection? Not saying disregard it but SF inherently is the highest risk and needs to be as such to be able to ensure our guys are the tip of the spear, not sure if having such implementations makes our selection look too "conservative"

[@TWJYILY]

After Aloysius Pang's death they cracked down on a ton of safety stuff.

[@lychvy8023]

@@TWJYILY a shame that the ones at the top in mindef seem so dissociated from the world of special operations then... i hope that it is the way the documentary is being filmed and that really alot of real content was thrown out that isnt doing a good job at portraying the rigour of our SF selection because of opsec reasons because atm, if I were to compare side by side with the selection courses of the GGK, the Aussie 2CDO and SASR, 1NZSAS, US green beret selection, RASP, German KSK, Danish frogmen etc. , the difference is quite stark.

[@TWJYILY]

@@lychvy8023 Definitely a lot removed for Opsec, but also cause SOTF lacking manpower.. they toned down the difficulty around same time as AP's death.

[@lychvy8023]

@@TWJYILY again like I said, that's really a shame. And stupid on Mindef's part imho. Aloysius pang wasnt a regular or was he trying for SF at all. How could they do such a silly blanket imposition of safety regulations? When you see other SF selections, it is not just beyond normal but it is fully expected that many candidates will pass out from heat strokes, get injured, puke, and even have casualties on the rarest of instances. Not being a sadist, but when the conditions are actively controlled to prevent this, can you really say that your SF selection can still be rigorous enough?

[@TWJYILY]

@@lychvy8023 Basically they couldn't afford another incident so soon. And at the same time SOTF was having manpower issues so I guess they just decided to tone it down. That year SFQC toned down a lot as well.

[@ee-sj8qr]

this is just normal tekan session in a typical bmt platform.. i think ndu hell week worse than this...

[@xRaiderxDeath]

Alot of it is left out man....for very obvious reasons

[@ee-sj8qr]

The rest are just ops related.. physical session mostly covered in this video

[@TheSunMoon]

NDU is hell week. This is hell course, throughout the whole course. Respect to these volunteers.

[@omaverick2870]

That one NDU pasal ah

[@TWJYILY]

Cause this is just the testing phase, the tekan phase is week 2. And it's just a selection anyway lol.

[@rudylopez5060]

our neighbouring countries elite force training are even tougher. and they dun dare to complain.. the truth hurts

[@DragonX2X7]

lol, not true. Besides I didn't see anyone complaining in this video. Neighbouring countries might choose to show more while SG chose to show less. Where's the element of surprise if you show or tell everything?

[@jackk7107]

1. OSA rules 2. No reason to showcase full training 3. This is entry-level training (Selection Phase)

[@NS-fk2os]

How do you even know it’s tougher? Lol this is not even the full thing that they’re showing. Small details like the distance for the lbv run is not even revealed. And no one is complaining. Are you watching the correct video?😂

[@space4495]

The truth is nobody hurts coz who cares about their training. They can trained as tough as they want but when their airplane or submarine submerged into the sea, SG army willing to help and locate it.