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Singapore Armed Forces Reviews

Updated 21 Mar 2023

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Found 1,561 of over 2K reviews
3.6
45% Recommend to a Friend
Singapore Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force Melvyn Ong
82% Approve of CEO

Found 1,563 of over 2K reviews

3.6
45%
Recommend to a Friend
82%
Approve of CEO
Singapore Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force Melvyn Ong
Melvyn Ong
334 Ratings
Pros
  • "Good work life balance across all boards(in 53 reviews)

  • "Free food and lodging throughout(in 100 reviews)

  • Cons
  • "lack of flexibility and long working hours(in 62 reviews)

  • "Work Life Balance is a challenge(in 44 reviews)

  • More Pros and Cons
    Pros & Cons are excerpts from user reviews. They are not authored by Glassdoor.
    1. 5.0
      Current Employee

      -

      14 Mar 2023 - ASA II in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Able to commit to national defence

      Cons

      Low pay, stay in, work life balance

      Be the first to find this review helpful
    2. 3.0
      Former Employee, more than 5 years

      Stable role but not a good place for long-term career and personal growth

      3 Dec 2022 - Systems Operator in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      The job is stable and there are ample opportunities to move into different operations and roles as one progresses into the job. On top of mandatory military courses, the management also provide opportunities for upgrading such as soft-skills training and short courses. The working hours are relatively fixed for each work year. It can be shift-based or 8-5 depending on the role of the personnel. It is good for people who are inclined to a military career, or a good stepping stone to drawing a full salary, especially for those serving their NS obligations.

      Cons

      Similarly to the civil service, the starting salary for entry level holders is slightly higher than the market salary, but the increment is capped over time. Besides, those may find their route of advancement much slower than their counterparts from other arms or formation. Culture wise, if you are someone who is goal and result-oriented, I would strongly recommend to avoid signing on as it is generally attracts the pool of people who have financial obligations at the start. This results in people to be overly comfortable and resistive to change, knowing that contributing more or less to the organization would not impact their overall salary. Cases of backstabbing and gossiping are prevalent as well, especially in a closed environment. This actually brings a lot of negativity to the environment, especially if you are someone who cares about career growth and a good work culture. That also resulted in a high attrition rate, with personnel resigning after fulfilling their minimum contract obligations. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are definitely more issues stemming in this clear-hierarchical organization.

      1 person found this review helpful
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    4. 4.0
      Current Employee, more than 3 years

      Numerous training opportunities

      21 Mar 2023 - Naval Officer in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      I doubt there is any other job that provides as many training as the SAF, and yes the Navy too.

      Cons

      Your time is the SAF's, but it is fair given the money we are paid and the commitment we implicitly gave

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    5. 4.0
      Former Employee, more than 1 year

      2 years conscription

      16 Mar 2023 - Third Sergeant in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      -Free accommodation and 3 meals a day are provided. -FOC physical fitness instructors to train you physically and mentally -Free yearly credits provided to purchase company apparels and kicks

      Cons

      -Mandatory to live in workplace 24/7 for 5 days a week, sometimes 6-7 days a week. Have to standby and always be on call for weekends and public holidays. -Low pay, long hours

      Be the first to find this review helpful
    6. 4.0
      Current Employee, more than 5 years

      Pros and Cons

      21 Mar 2023 - Lead Engineer in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Good starting pay for fresh grad

      Cons

      slow progression for army engineer

      Be the first to find this review helpful
    7. 4.0
      Current Employee, more than 1 year

      Nsf

      20 Mar 2023 - National Service Personnel in Choa Chu Kang New Town,
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Fitness, leadership opportunities and meeting new people

      Cons

      Tiring and dreadful at times

      Continue reading
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    8. 2.0
      Former Employee, more than 1 year

      -

      18 Mar 2023 - Full Time in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      2 years to learn about defending singapore

      Cons

      2 years without academic pursuits might prove for those who finished conscription to have difficulty adjusting back to further studies

      Be the first to find this review helpful
    9. 5.0
      Former Employee

      My Airforce journey

      12 Mar 2023 - Aviation Customer Service Agent 
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Amazing first job I had. Great amount of knowledge attained from the training and peers. Very safe and naturing environment.

      Cons

      I reassessed my career goals and my current job/role did not provide me with opportunities to explore my real potential and capabilities.

      Be the first to find this review helpful
    10. 5.0
      Current Employee, less than 1 year

      Good life

      17 Mar 2023 - Admin Support 
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Good life, make friends and lovely environment

      Cons

      None that I can think of

      Continue reading
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    11. 2.0
      Former Employee, more than 5 years

      How 5 years can change a person

      23 Feb 2023 - Military Intelligence in Singapore
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Job stability, decent working hours (although shiftwork), other typical civil servant benefits

      Cons

      Poor & toxic organizational culture, you are surrounded by incompetent & unmotivated people, poor compensation as compared to other 1st world militaries, shiftwork (sacrifices need to be made during weekends/festive seasons), too much unnecessary workload (from secondary appointments that are non-operational - an operational unit shouldn't be concerned with non-operational duties)

      Continue reading
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    Viewing 1 - 10 of 1,563 Reviews
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    Singapore Armed Forces Reviews FAQs

    Singapore Armed Forces has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 1,738 reviews left anonymously by employees. 45% of employees would recommend working at Singapore Armed Forces to a friend and 40% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by -1% over the last 12 months.

    According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Singapore Armed Forces employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.5 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Singapore Armed Forces. This rating has decreased by -3% over the last 12 months.

    45% of Singapore Armed Forces employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Singapore Armed Forces 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.3 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.

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    Glassdoor has 1,738 Singapore Armed Forces reviews submitted anonymously by Singapore Armed Forces employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Singapore Armed Forces is right for you.