Army recruits 'barred' from McDonald's at White Sand? SAF Basic Military Training Centre says...
The Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) has responded to online claims that Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recruits are barred from visiting the McDonald's outlets at the White Sands mall, clarifying that there are "no restrictions" on how recruits choose to spend their personal time.
Following queries from Stomp, BMTC said in a Facebook post on Nov 29 that it was aware of "online comments" that have been circulating.
"We wish to clarify that recruits are free to spend their personal time as they wish when they book-out, and they are expected to maintain good conduct at all times. There are no restrictions imposed by BMTC."
'Why are they not allowed to have their meals there?'
The claims first emerged on Nov 26 after TikToker @nisonchanmalichan addressed an incident where a recruit was asked to give up his seat on the MRT, igniting a public outcry about how recruits are often scrutinised.
In response, user @JN888 commented that BMTC had "barred" recruits from patronising a McDonald's outlet due to complaints from the public.
"These recruits are also paying customers, why are they not allowed to have their meals there?" the netizen asked.
White Sands is the closest mall to a shuttle pick-up point in Pasir Ris, which connects to the SAF Ferry Terminal where ferries to Pulau Tekong depart.
In the initial stages of their national service, recruits undergo Basic Military Training (BMT) at BMTC, which is located in Pulau Tekong.
TikToker questions validity of claim
In another post on Nov 27, where nisonchanmalichan asked netizens if this was true, JN888 claimed that the instruction was given to their twin sons during their first book-out.
The post had gained over 85,500 views and 2,000 likes at press time.
In the comments, one netizen also said they had experienced the same thing, while others said they doubted the information was true, speculating that the instruction was misinterpreted.
"But why should they be discouraged from getting food with their fellow bunkmates and friends in the first place? I think that's the question," one netizen said.
TikToker says guideline is understandable
Hours later, the TikToker posted a third video, saying he had sought clarification from someone credible within the system, and adding that he could understand why such a guideline might be given to the recruits.
"It is true that the recruits are told to go home after book-out, and this is really to safeguard the image of the recruits of having their faces splashed all over social media, unforgivingly."
In response to Stomp's queries, the TikToker declined to comment. Stomp has also reached out to JN888 for comment.
Some recruits report similar instructions
A 23-year-old who finished NS in 2024 and only wished to be known as Mr Tan, told Stomp that the instruction was more of an informal guideline than a ban.
"We were given this guideline at the start of BMT when we first booked in. It was just given as a precaution to not loiter about in uniform and to go straight home after booking out," said the undergraduate.
A 21-year-old full-time national serviceman said that recruits are also advised to change into their civilian clothes when booking in and out of camp, to reduce complaints from the public about their behaviour.
Another NSF noted that he had not been advised by superiors to avoid specific locations. The 21-year-old clarified that recruits are picked up by shuttle buses from different locations in the east, suggesting that those living around Pasir Ris were more likely to receive this guideline.
Others said they had heard of the informal advisory, but were not explicitly told that certain locations were off-limits.
Public scrutiny of recruits may feel excessive
NSMen whom Stomp spoke to agreed that public scrutiny of their actions is sometimes harsher than necessary, recalling instances where complaints were filed about their behaviour.
"I do feel that sometimes some unspoken rules can be taken too far, like how NSF sitting down on trains is often frowned upon," Mr Tan said, acknowledging that basic guidelines on how to behave when wearing the uniform are understandable.
"We never know what they went through on that day, so I do feel leniency can be given."
