NS IPPT revamp: SAF says no decision yet on IPPT changes

[Updated on 23 October 2013, 7:30pm: Added statement from Singapore Armed Forces]

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has no plans to change the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) -- that's the SAF's response to media reports that changes will be made to the IPPT from as early as April next year.

The SAF posted the clarification on their Facebook page, in response to a Straits Times report  on Wednesday.

"The SAF constantly reviews our training system, including physical training regimes and physical fitness tests, to ensure that they are relevant and effective, and continue to meet our operational requirements," it said, adding, "The current IPPT continues to be valid and serves as a baseline measure of physical fitness. We wish to reiterate that there have been no decision to change the current IPPT system."

According to the report, come next April, the standing broad jump requirement is expected to be replaced with a push-ups component. The endurance run distance will be set at 3.2km, up from the current 2.4km.

If changes are made, this would be the first time the IPPT, which is taken by about 166,000 people yearly, will be changed since 1982.

Meanwhile, a new volunteer corps targets women and permanent residents in their 30s and 40s will also be set up, according to Today.

Those who join the volunteer corps will also go through combat training, put on uniforms, and be subjected to call-up every year. There will also be support and logistics roles for those who are medically unfit.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen commented that women and PRs can also play “meaningful military roles”, as SAF needs “different subsets apart from just sheer combat power”.

Reactions on Twitter were mixed, with some celebrating the possible changes and others bemoaning them.