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Upon completion of their full-time National Service, all servicemen receive a Certificate of Service (COS). This simple but important document has been revamped to provide greater recognition and value to deserving servicemen. Among the first batch to benefit from the enhanced COS were the servicemen from the 1st Guards Battalion. In November last year, they were pleasantly surprised - before their Operationally-Ready Date Parade, they received a certificate detailing their achievements and qualifications acquired during their two years of National Service. This enhanced COS also includes a qualitative assessment of the serviceman's character, abilities and work ethics. With gold lettering and a classy red folder, the certificate is a marked improvement over its predecessor, which merely listed the courses the serviceman has attended. Outstanding servicemen will receive an additional testimonial recognising their contributions to their unit or department. The enhanced COS will be useful to servicemen seeking employment, and help them gain admission to further studies.
3SG Teo Xuan Hui, a Section Commander, believes that the new COS provides deep character insights. He said, "It is different from the certificates and testimonials given by our schools as it reveals certain personality traits that our teachers and lecturers will not be able to see. My COS says that in tough situations, I am disciplined and able to exercise control. Only in the Army, when you are taken out of your comfort zone, will others be able to see these qualities in you." He added, "My Officer Commanding is someone whom I have spent one year of my life with, 24 hours a day and five days a week. He has gone through every experience with me, be it painful or sweet, and this has enabled him to write a testimonial which accurately reflects my character and abilities."
For CPL Suresh, a Platoon Medic, the enhanced COS will come in useful when he looks for a job. He said, "Compared to the old COS, this one states a lot more about my character and how I have performed for these two years. It tells the employer that I am not just qualified academically - it shows my fighting spirit, leadership abilities, and how I work with my peers."
CPT Tang Chee Wei, Officer Commanding Charlie Company summed up the improvements to the COS, "I think that the new certificate does more justice to our men's contributions for their nation as it actually elaborates on their character. It paints a better picture of what they have done throughout their two years in National Service, and reflects our appreciation for their efforts."
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