Pre-enlistment medical checks and tests to determine NS training and vocation
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A pre-enlistee (left) sees a medical officer for consultation at the Medical Classification Centre in Central Manpower Base.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
- Pre-enlistees undergo medical screening and a psychometric test to assess fitness and suitability for National Service (NS) vocations.
- The Medical Classification Centre moved to CMPB on June 23, 2025, streamlining the medical screening process.
- Mindef's Medical Classification System determines vocational deployment based on medical assessments and aptitude tests.
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SINGAPORE – Pre-enlistees go through a medical screening and psychometric test to determine their level of fitness and suitability for national service (NS).
This determines the type of basic training and vocation they can be assigned to.
The Medical Classification Centre – formerly located in Depot Road – moved to the new Central Manpower Base (CMPB) opposite Cashew MRT station on June 23, 2025.
The full medical screening journey takes up to half a day and involves 12 stations.
After registration, pre-enlistees proceed for photo-taking for their SAF identity card. They then go for a dental check, and collection of blood and urine samples to assess for any underlying medical conditions.
A pre-enlistee undergoes an oral examination at the dental station in the Medical Classification Centre.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Other assessments include eye and hearing tests, an electrocardiogram for heart rhythm assessment, as well as a chest X-ray to screen for communicable diseases like tuberculosis.
A pre-enlistee undergoes a chest X-ray to screen for communicable diseases.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Pre-enlistees then have their height, weight and blood pressure checked.
The session also includes getting fitted for uniforms and boots via 3D body and foot scanners, so that recruits are issued personal items according to size on enlistment day.
A pre-enlistee gets his feet scanned to determine his boot size.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
This is followed by a medical consultation with medical officers, which includes a physical examination.
The last stop is a psychometric test, which assesses a pre-enlistee’s aptitude in a range of domains such as reasoning and mental-spatial abilities, a factor for vocation deployment.
Pre-enlistees sitting a computer-based psychometric test conducted at the Vocational Assessment Centre in the Medical Classification Centre.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The Ministry of Defence uses a Medical Classification System, in place since 1967, to classify individuals into Physical Employment Standard (PES) grades A to F.
The final PES grade determines the vocational deployment:
PES A, B1: Suitable for all combat vocations, for example, guards and infantry.
PES B2 to B4: Suitable for some combat and combat support vocations, for example, artillery and combat engineers.
PES C2, C9: Suitable for some combat support and combat service support vocations, for instance, supply and transport.
PES D: Temporarily unfit for grading and pending further review.
PES E1, E9: Suitable for combat service support.
PES F: Medically unfit for any form of service.
PES BP: Fit for Obese Basic Military Training (BMT). The recruits will be reclassified on completing their Obese BMT depending on the review of their body mass index.
