Originally posted by Pharaoh85:

Dearest Online Mo's,

I'm currently in my bmt and i was on mc for almost 2 months due to my epilepsy. I was informed that i am on medical board, in 12 more days to my passing out parade day and i haven't get my reply from the m.o at tekong,

i would like to know how will SAF deal wif those who suffer from epilepsy, i'm a PES B status and haven't been downgrade, becoz doctor had just diagnosed my sickness, i'm suffering from gilbert syndrome too and had a spine slip disc L5/S1.

Ur response would be much appreciated....

thank you

Epilepsy on medication is definitely a downgradable condition. You will informed in due course. Relax.

Cheers

Originally posted by photo_seeker:

Hi,
I'm still a student actually but am worried about my NS in the future. Right now I'm diagnosed with anemia due to bleeding in my small intestine. I'll need blood transfusion of 2 units of every 2 weeks or even lesser. The blood is lost via a white patch that covers my small intestine as well as my main blood vessels providing blood to my internal organs from the heart.

I'm seeing a surgeon at the moment to discuss for a possible operation later this year as the white patches are causing the blood lost. The operation will remove the white patches either partially or fully. As it also covers my blood vessels, I might need to do a en-route of my blood vessels and remove the current wrapped-up blood vessel.

My low blood count was discovered when I was given a FBC check when I was referred to the A&E department and my blood count dived to 4.7 (normal 12 - 1. This low blood count gives me occasional headaches, chest-pain and serious dizziness and also being easily out of breath. The cause was only discovered when I underwent intense scans as well as multiple CT scans and eventually found out the exact bleeding area and cause through a MRI scan and scope test with biopsy taken from the bleeding ulcer inside my lower end of my small intestine.

If I undergo the surgery in a couple of months and return to normal lifestyle, will my health condition be considered during my enlistment ? Because the white patches could grow back again if not fully removed.

Hopefully someone can clarify my doubts here as I'm pretty confused and my doctor aren't sure how the NS MO will determine my condition.

Dun worry, you will be downgraded. No doubts

Cheers

Originally posted by a13xz:

i went to specialist at gleneagles. he advise me to go for MRI, after scan he wil recommend me for downgrade. any easily way to get downgrade? MRI damn xpensive leh

Bro,

Downgrading is easy if you actually have a problem. If you don't, unfortunately numerous MRI scans and specialist consults are not going to help. Nowadays recommendations by a specialist does not carry much weight. Most MOs and medical board chairman will strictly follow the DOD(secret bk). If there is no evidence to warrant a permanent downgrade then you might only be given a temp downgrade which for an NS man is seriously useless...... not to mentioned your medical expenses including an MRI would have been at least a $1000.

Just my opinion, still your choice!

Cheers

Tekan

Meaning to punish

Standby Universe

Meaning an inspection by your superiors of absolutely anything. This usually results in some serious Tekan-ing

Alert Red

An exercise carried out to test the combat readiness of a unit/platoon. This usually involves gearing up in your FBO, camoflaging oneself, drawing your weapon, and assembling on the parade square. This exercise is usually timed and the combat readiness of each individual is thoroughly checked. This exercise usually results in some really serious tekan-ing

Cheers

You can say that again! But then again most trainees in units are treated worse than a recruit so I guess everyone is equal when it comes to trainning.

Come to think about it, my feeling is that recruits nowadays are treated the best compared to most other trainees in the army!

Cheers

Yep

Cheers

All MO undergoing MOCC have to go thru OCS tri service term. Unless you are entering MOCC as a reservist in which case you do not.

MOCC is actually quite tough. They literallly treat you like dirt in there as they know your life will be fairly smooth sailing after..

BTW your PC, OC and CO are all doctors too so cannot really chao keng in there! Haha

Cheers

Originally posted by oxford mushroom:

Not true....non-combat fit ones are generally LTA, except for the really lao jiao MOs in the days before the selective disruption scheme.

3 years ago they made a policy change. All MO cadets who go thru MOCC will be promoted to the rank of CPT regardless. But it is true that downgraded MOs used to be LTAs

Cheers

Originally posted by tarutaru:

ehhhhh...sorry to disappoint you Pes C and below MO have a rank of LTA whereas combat fit MO have a CPT rank.......since MO are rare species i doubt u can siam reservist maybe even to reservist MOCC.

Alll MOs combat or non combat, irregardless of PES are given the rank of CPT.

Cheers

Originally posted by ambidextrous:

Hi Saabster.

I have a very pronounced bilateral Osgood Schlatter's disease since 13, and developed chondro malacia patella in the later part of my life. Fact is, I cannot kneel down at all, and my knee cap hurts on and off. Seems to be due to maltracking of the knee cap or something like that. My knee basically crackle when I walk, no joke. I would like to know if i should be downgraded, and whether i can be downgraded. I have ORDed few years ago, so I'm not sure if i should downgrade. Also, will a pes C2 be equally "liable" for reservice? Or should i say, is it usual for a C2 to get reservice? Thanks.

Hi

If you have CMP that is radiologically evident, you can be downgraded. Please prepare your specialist letter and Xrays ready before approaching your MO.

PES is no longer C1 or C2 as in the past, there is the land deployment status thus nowadays you will notice PES written as C*L*

you will be liable for reservist even if you are PES C. Your duties might be changed though.

Cheers

Originally posted by Hellraiza:

Hey doc,

i'm currently Pes B. I wear glasses (around 300 degrees each eye) and i have chronic asthma, last attack was i think 3 years back. im considering a upgrade to PES A, as i feel it would help to speed up my contract signing lol. Is it possible? If so what would the upgrade procedure be like? thanks alot!

I am not sure you can get upgraded to PES A though. By definition PES A is given to personel with no medical problems. The fact that you told them you had chronic asthma would automatically put you to PES B. Even if your last attack was 3 years ago.

Cheers

Originally posted by fedor:

I'm asking on behalf of my friend.

He fractured his forearm 4 yrs ago.It was a clean break and he had two metal plates and screws to secured his forearm. However the metal plates and screws were removed 6 months later.

He recovered and now lift heavy weights and stuffs.He gets at least a silver for his napfa every year even though he is 20kg overweight.He also do not have any health problems.

Anyway, he is going for his ns medical checkup next week.He is quite worried about it as he's afraid of being given a pes c or d.He wants to work in either army or police so if he's given anything other than a b,he will not get a chance as the minimum requirement is pes b.

So,what pes status will u think he'll be given?

Thanks in advance.

IN most cases he would get at least a PES C. Especially if he complains that he is still having difficulties with exercise. But if he tells the MO that he does weights and can pass the IPPT without problems he would likely get PES B.

Cheers

Originally posted by member99:

Dear Saabster,

I am 35 coming to 36 this year and have not taken my phase 1 FFI.

Could you tell me the followings:

1. What does FFI stand for? And what kind of tests do you conduct for FFI?

2. I am a reservist in an infantry unit and my ICT is before my FFI. What are the implications of not having taken my FFI before ICT?

Thank you very much.

FFI stands for "Fit for instruction"

FFI usually consist of a consultation with your unit MO. Any problems you have should be hightlighted during this consultation. An examination is "suppose" to be done as well but is usually very abbreviated .

Some test are performed. The test vary with different age gps and I cannot remember which test are done for which ages. There is usually a table to refer to. Occasionally some bloods are taken and a stress ECG is performed to ensure that your heart is OK!

FFI is usually performed for the IPPT. If you always have been in your infantry unit and have no new medical complaints, it is assumed that you can carry on.

Saabster

Originally posted by mAzdaFAN:

hey guys.. been following tis thread regularly n find it v v useful.. anyway.. i need advice on an issue regarding an injury to my wrist.. its been on for a v long time liao.. went to the specialist doc to check it up.. diagnosed wif post repetitive stress on the tendon? eh..been going for physio 4 quite some time liao.. but its still aching wheneva my hand is loaded wif weight.. the prob is im enlisting soon n is given pes b.. my qn is.. if wif a doc's recommendation letter.. will i b downgraded temporarily or permanently for bmt?(since the pain is most likely to persist when i lift weight in a forward flew position) or given light training? i need advice regarding tis matter as i wld nt like to go 4 re-bmt for wateva reasons.. thankx in advance..

You will most likely be given a temp downgrade if any. It is common for musculoskeletal pains to occur when one is trainning.

Originally posted by mdfjami:

Yo Sir,

if PES E wanna upgrade and sign on, is it possible to sign some form of medical waiver? PES E reason is cause blind in right eye, however both master hand and eye (duh) is left..

Haha as far as I am concern there is no medical waiver form. The only way to upgrade from a perm downgrade is to medically show that you have improved from your supposedly permanent disorder. After you would have to be re-boarded to upgrade your status.

Saabster

I had a 4 days R & R in ROC following some trainning. I had just finished covering 2 groups of trainees as an MO. Definitely worth looking forward too after being in the field for about 30days! Of course there was the run of the mill guided tours but it was really until the nights that were really enjoyable. I remembered bring my medics to the night markets and later to pubs and nightclubs. Of course there was suppose to have the 2359(i think) curfew but well.......... you know.

Anyway the most "exciting" occured when 6medics and 2 signalers had followed me to a pub in Taipei. It was "late" so officially we were suppose to be back in the hotel. Anyway I remembered there was this table of 3 local men who were getting very "pissed". In fact they were harrassing the waitresses there and getting fairly rowdy. Sensing potential trouble I told the guys that we should settle the bill and head off to some other pub. It was then that some other waitress tried to convince us that there was no problem and that we should stay. Unfortunately those 3 guys on the next table overhead the incident. They started shouting at us saying that we were unreasonable to leave because them. Well I asked all the guys to just stand and leave anyway. After most of us had left the premises. I noticed one of my medics still being harrassed by the waitress. I remembered promptly going back to get him out. This was when all hell broke loose! My medic recieved one on his cheek and I got one blow to my face! Trying to avoid further confrontation, the 2 of us backed off. Unfortunately those idiots actually continued to chase the 2 of us. For some reason, I managed to run to the other guys but my medic could not. In fact he was cornered and being shoved around. This is when I kinda thought enough is enough. I proceeded to order the rest of the men to go and aid our guy. So 9 guys in total against 3...... you kinda can make out the rest. Anyway eventually the 3 Taiwanese fled when they knew they were grossly outnumbered. The incident created quite a scene and even the local police showed up Fortunately the incident had passed and we just pretended nothing had happened and walked.

I remembered after thinking what drama from a potentially enjoyable night. The next day I mentioned the incident to the other officers and WOs. Of course they started teasing me and even asked me why I had not called them! They were all testosterone charged and said they would have all showed up with their "parangs" and stuff Oh well........

Saabster

Originally posted by mckenzie:

Hi, would like to know how asthma is graded according to the 'secret' book.

thanks

Information classified secret should remain as such.

I wonder what the punishment would be for leaking information classfied "secret". I am sure it is serious

Take care

Saabster

Haha! Really........ I thought MCs were given out freely to everyone nowadays!

Well nothing is completely fair in this world. If you feel you were wronged, speak to your superiors. Maybe they can help

Saabster

Originally posted by terminal:

Sir, thanks for your reply.
I still have a question: How should i ask the specialist to write a letter for my downgrade? What are the important details to be written on the memo?

And another question for everyone: will a pes C person be discriminated in the civil service when finding a job? i hear some rumours.

Thanks

I don;t think I should advise you on what you specialist should write. Professional courtesy. Don't worry. You will be downgraded

Saabster

Originally posted by tErI-yAkI:

Sir,

U still haven't tell me what exactly is Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex injury.

I wish to know how serious this injury is, and whether can it be cured.

Thanks..

I can;t ell you exactly what it is because I myself dunno Well.....I could check it up.

Will update you

Saabster

Originally posted by bismarck:

i frequently suffer from knee, ankle pains. occasional gout in my ankles. for my knees it sort of pains in diff locations, sometimes it's the bone,ligaments or the fluid(cant remember the name) between the joints.
then occasionally i get back pains too.
my question is, where and when do i tell my MO or somebody tat i have these problems ( i am not trying to keng NS, just that i dont want to do things that aggrevates my cond) if i go for specialist to review my probs, when must it be done? these problems dont happen all the time but sometimes it's actually quite painful...

You seem to have multiple joint aches! One question is that are these problems aggravated with exercise or strenuous activity? Second you were saying you have"occasional gout" in your ankles? How did you come to that conclusion.

first go get a blood test done to establish your uric acid level. Perhaps you would also need to take an Xray of the most problematic joints.

If results are normal, and if your problems seem to be aggravated with activity, your joints are probably painful from overuse. If not, let me know what is wrong

Saabster

Originally posted by terminal:

Sir/Doctor, i am a NSF, whose vocation is a combat signaller. My pes Status is currently PES B.

I sprained my right ankle severly once during BMT and never really recovered. My ankle was swollen and i went for route march and Standard Obstacles Course as normal 2 days after my injury. This led to recurrent ankle sprains subsequently.

The specialist in the hospital, a Consultant advised a surgery(ATFL torn). I am also flat footed, and the doctor said that flat footed cause further instability. I went for an ankle operation - Right ankle ligament reconstruction (Bostrom Gould) last month. Of course i was given MC to recover and to walk again.

My question is: Can i get a downgrade after i come back to camp? The MO in camp may say that since i already have an operation, i don't need a downgrade anymore. If he says so, what should i do? We all know that a surgery never really recover a person back to a perfectly normal state. Not to mention i wouldn't want another sprain to tear my ligament again. That will defeat the purpose of an operation.

Secondly, can flat footedness be given a downgrade to pes C?

Thanks for advice.

You will definitely be downgraded.
No your MO will not contest that you can go back to normal duties.
Yes you are correct to say that a recontructed ligament is not as strong as an "original" one.

It is all clearly stated in the "secret" book. Relax!

Saabster

Originally posted by tErI-yAkI:

Hi MO,

May I know what's TFCC injury? Is it serious?

I too don;t know what TFCC stands for! Perhaps you could get the full name and then I can help you out with it

Saabster

Originally posted by [Ace]:

oops never see there is a thread that u have set up for Q&A Section!

hi there saab, i got skin problems, quite serious, got rash red marks nearly all around my neck, elbow, arm. Will go in tekong next yr after my poly 3rd year, but i heard from people sometimes these kind of skin problems the sergents or PS just simply ignore.

i only got a few appointments wif the national skin centre, wonder if that would help...

so need to ask u how to bring up my situation to the attention of the MO...
actually i dont think i will be excuse frm training or such, dont wan to be called chao geng or wad...but i think my skin problem will worsen if i sweat alot more...

if u could gimme a few points of advice... thanks

You have atopic ecezma. It is difficult to say whether or not you will or can be downgraded as it decided on a one on one basis. If yours is severe, get a letter from NSC stating that you have problems with dirt and sweat, this way you can bring it up to your MO.

Saabster

Originally posted by rongshao85:

Dear MO, i wish to know which PEPS i will go in if i'm hearing impaired and which type of BMT i will go through.. hope you can answer my doubts. Thanks!

I really cannot help you on this one. It really depends on your level of hearing loss.

Cheers

Saabster