The LSA(Med) is a 12 yr bond unfortunately.
6 yrs of medical specialty training (3 yrs BST & 3 yrs AST) mixed in with 6 years of service with the SAF...and any further specialty training (overseas traineeship etc) you undertake will extend your service length...unfortunately most 18 yr olds don't understand what they're getting into when they signed up for it...I know of a MO that's bonded for 18 yrs...
But the thing is, all NUS-trained doctors are bonded to MOH for 5 yrs as well (3 yrs for guys, with the remaining 2 yrs service in NS as MOs)...so really, is there any difference?
Allan went for an overseas training for 6months in London - that would have extended his bond by 3 years. Also, in the RSAF one can choose specialities such as ophthalmology, which I heard can make money.
Also, SAF doctors get 40% more pay after they specialize compared to officers of the same rank (last time, don't know about now).
Of course, money is not an issue for this guy - face it, in the SAF you have to organize LIFE runs, write report here, report there; provide medical cover when CAF is doing IPPT... the rest of the day, hold men's balls and ask them to cough to check got hernia or not.... or give MC to people with cough and colds... or pilot who kheng and want to go home screw lao zoe.
To me, its an easy job for quite a good pay - after all, if you want excitement, join Commando/Ranger lor... there got real action, since SAF
does send SOF people to Iraq and Afghanistan but never publicize in the 154th for fear of a public outcry... so media blackout.... just like this case.