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MINDEF/SAF continually builds on efforts to optimise national servicemen’s contributions, improve their NS experience, and better support and recognise them.
Optimise National Servicemen’s Contributions
MINDEF/SAF has introduced various initiatives to expand deployment opportunities for national servicemen, and invest in and tap on their skills and experience during NS.
Job Redesign and Medical Classification System Review. Alongside the adoption of new technology and platforms, the SAF has continued to redesign the roles of our servicemen to expand deployment opportunities. Since 2021, the SAF has re-designed 2,000 roles across 25 vocations, such as Combat Medics, Infantry Carrier Vehicle Operators and Military Police. Over 1,000 NSFs have been deployed in a wider range of operational roles to date.
In parallel, MINDEF/SAF is reviewing the Medical Classification System to allow more granular assessment of servicemen according to their medical fitness and functional capacity. With this, they can be better matched to roles where they can be more operationally effective. In line with this effort, functional assessments were implemented in January 2022 for pre-enlistees with selected musculoskeletal conditions, to more precisely determine their ability to perform physical tasks. This has enabled over 200 pre-enlistees to be deployed to a wider range of operational roles in the SAF.
Work-Learn Schemes (WLS). Since 2018, MINDEF/SAF has partnered local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to launch WLS to better grow and tap on our national servicemen’s skills and knowledge. They incorporate academic and technical training provided by partner IHLs and allow servicemen to earn polytechnic diplomas or university credits while carrying out operational duties. Servicemen will undergo a combination of full-time NS followed by Regular service. There are a total of 9 WLS, with about 650 NSFs enrolled thus far.
Early Enlistment Schemes for Polytechnic Students. Since 2023, MINDEF/SAF has partnered polytechnics to introduce schemes that allow polytechnic students to enlist one year earlier than their schoolmates and complete their final-year internship requirements while serving in the SAF. There are three schemes, with about 20 NSFs enrolled so far.
a. [New] SAF-Polytechnic Sponsorship for Integrated Curriculum (SPS-IC) for Naval Warfare System Experts. From July 2024, students enrolled in Electronics, Information Technology and Mechatronics courses in Temasek Polytechnic are also eligible to apply for the SPS-IC for Naval Warfare System Experts. Successful applicants will serve full Regular Service, and will be trained to operate communications, electronic warfare and intelligence systems for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s ships.
Table 2: Early Enlistment Schemes
Service | Scheme | Educational
Domain |
Republic
of Singapore Navy
| SPS-IC for Naval Warfare
System Experts | Electrical
and Electronics Engineering; Electronics; Information
Technology; Mechatronics |
Republic
of Singapore Air Force
| SPS-IC for Air Force
Engineers (Maintenance) | Aerospace
Electronics; Aeronautical
Engineering; Mechanical
Engineering; Electrical and
Electronic Engineering |
Digital
and Intelligence Service
| Polytechnic Cyber
Specialists WLS | Cybersecurity |
Expertise-Based Redeployment during ORNS. In 2022, the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme was launched. This enables the expertise redeployment of NSmen at any point in their ORNS Cycle, to units where they can contribute their civilian expertise required by the SAF. In 2024, over 200 NSmen were redeployed to over 20 areas of expertise, including Legal, Medical, Cyber, and Psychology.
Improve the NS Experience
OneNS Platform. Since April 2024, NS e-services can be accessed via the OneNS web portal and mobile app. The mobile app has been enhanced to improve mobilisation and ICT:
a. Smart Mobilisation Microapp. The Smart Mobilisation microapp was onboarded to the OneNS app for selected SAF units in 2024, and will be progressively rolled out to all SAF units from March 2025 onwards. Previous manual mobilisation processes have been digitalised, which increases efficiency and reduces wait time between mobilisation tasks, and enables NS commanders to monitor their units’ mobilisation status in real-time.
b. [New] App Features to Streamline ICT Experience. ICT performance appraisals and nomination of NS Excellence Award can soon be completed in the app. This will shorten the appraisal process for NS Commanders and allow NSmen to receive their award credits promptly by the end of their ICT. NSmen can also access their ICT training records in the app. These features will be rolled out by end of 2025.
[New] NS Pre-Enlistment Features on LifeSG. MINDEF is collaborating with GovTech and Public Service Division to incorporate NS pre-enlistment features on LifeSG to help pre-enlistees and parents better prepare for NS. These include (a) information guidespublished on the LifeSG app and website; and (b) push notifications and a personal milestone tracker which will be progressively made available on the LifeSG app to pre-enlistees and parents commencing NS registration from February 2025 onwards.
Image 1: NS Features on LifeSG
[New] New CMPB. The new Central Manpower Base (CMPB), that is located opposite Cashew MRT station, will progressively open in phases from May 2025. It will be an integrated one-stop service centre for NS administration. Pre-enlistees and NSmen can complete NS-related activities, including purchasing NS necessities at the Lifestylemart, and completing their IPPT at the all-weather Fitness Conditioning Centre. The public can look forward to amenities ranging from food establishments, exercise facilities and a childcare centre.
a. Located within the new CMPB, the Regional Health Hub will provide seamless and efficient healthcare support. It consolidates key medical and healthcare facilities at a single destination, such as to support pre-enlistees’ medical screening. Services such as on-site X-ray facilities, same-day specialist consultations and an improved queue management system will reduce wait times and the need for multiple appointments across different locations.
Image 2: New CMPB
Recognise and Support National Servicemen’s Contributions to Defence
[New] SAFRA Bayshore. MINDEF has developed a network of SAFRA clubhouses located in different parts of Singapore, offering affordable recreational facilities for NSmen to enjoy with their families. MINDEF will build a new clubhouse in Bayshore to replace SAFRA Tampines, - built in 1988. SAFRA Bayshore will be SAFRA’s largest clubhouse with direct access to the MRT, and will offer unique family, entertainment and recreational facilities.
[New] Review of NS Allowance. From 1 July 2025, all national servicemen in the SAF, SPF and SCDF will receive a $35 to $75 increase in their monthly NS allowance. This is an increase of about 4% to 5% for most NSFs. NS allowance supports NSFs’ personal upkeep, and is reviewed and adjusted periodically to ensure that it remains adequate. This will be the fourth adjustment over the last ten years, with the previous increase being in July 2023 when allowances were increased by $125 to $200 depending on the serviceman’s rank and vocation.
With this revision, an NSF holding the rank of Recruit/Trainee will receive a monthly NS allowance of $790 up from the current $755. An SAF NSF Naval Diver or SPF NSF Police Tactical Trooper or SCDF NSF firefighter holding the rank of Corporal will receive a monthly NS allowance of $1,290, up from the current $1,250. Table 3 provides a comparison between the current and revised monthly NS allowance for those in Vocation Tier 1.
Table 3: Current and Revised Monthly NS Allowance
Rank | NS
Allowance | |||
SAF | SPF | SCDF | Current
($) | Revised
($) |
Recruit (REC)
| Trainee Special Constable (TSC)
| REC
| 755
| 790 |
Private (PTE)
| Special Constable (SC)
| PTE
| 755
| 790 |
Lance-Corporal (LCP)
| Special Constable 2 (SC 2)
| LCP
| 775
| 815 |
Corporal (CPL)
| CPL
| CPL
| 825
| 865 |
Specialist Cadet Trainee (SCT)
|
| SCT
| 845
| 885 |
Corporal First Class (CFC)
|
|
| 865
| 910 |
3rd Sergeant (3SG)
| Sergeant 1 (SGT 1)
| SGT 1
| 1,075
| 1,130 |
2nd Sergeant (2SG)
| Sergeant 2 (SGT 2)
| SGT 2
| 1,175
| 1,235 |
Officer Cadet (OCT)
| OCT
| OCT
| 1,035
| 1,085 |
2nd Lieutenant (2LT)
| Probationary Inspector (NSPI)
| 2LT
| 1,275
| 1,340 |
Lieutenant (LTA) | Inspector (NSI) | LTA | 1,455
| 1,530 |
Notes.
| ||||
Enhanced SkillsFuture@NS Initiatives. SkillsFuture@NS is part of MINDEF and MHA’s efforts to facilitate NSFs’ transition to employment and further studies after full-time NS. In 2022, MINDEF and MHA partnered NTUC Learning Hub (LHUB) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to enhance the SkillsFuture@NS initiatives to provide NSFs more learning opportunities during full-time NS. This includes the SkillsFuture@NS Learning eXperience (SF@NS LXP) Platform offered to NSFs upon enlistment. It provides them with unlimited access to 75,000 online courses, resources from government agencies, industry partners and Education Institutions, and a job and course portal.
[1] The pre-enlistees’ guide can be accessed at https://www.life.gov.sg/guides/pe/preparing-for-ns. The parents’ guide can be accessed at https://www.life.gov.sg/guides/parent/support-ns-journey.