Fathers have found an unprecedented role in the new initiative to let future national servicemen indicate their vocational interests, as the move gives fresh impetus to share their knowledge and experiences with their sons.

Starting November, pre-enlistees can make their vocational interests known during their medical check-up – choosing from 33 vocations.

On Sunday, the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) released on its website 19 videos and a handbook with detailed write-ups on these vocations.

The initiative presents “an opportunity” for more conversation about NS between fathers and sons, said defence analyst Ho Shu Huang from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

“While it does come down to each family’s dynamics, there might be more to talk about as vocational choices now need to be indicated and decisions therefore made.”