Fact Sheet - The Total Defence Awards

About the Total Defence Awards

The Total Defence Awards (TDA) was first introduced in 1986 to recognise businesses -- specifically employers and civil resource owners -- for their contributions towards Total Defence (TD). Both the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) and the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) recommended enhancing the awards for companies with pro-NS policies or human resource practices, and individuals or employers who are supportive of National Service (NS).

The revamped TDA was launched in 2015 to recognise a broader spectrum of NS advocates beyond businesses, to include educational institutions, families and community organisations as well as individuals. The Home Team NS Awards has also been integrated with the TDA. The revamped TDA aims to strengthen advocacy for NS by encouraging others to play their part in supporting our national servicemen.

NS Advocate Award

The TDA consists of the NS Advocate Award across four categories -- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Large Companies, Organisations and Individuals. The NS Advocate Award is the highest accolade awarded to individuals, businesses or organisations for their exemplary support towards TD and, in particular, NS. From this year onwards, recipients of the NS Advocate Award for businesses and organisations would be selected from the top NS Mark (Gold) accredited companies and organisations (please see below for more information on the NS Mark Accreditation Scheme). The NS Advocate Award is conferred for a period of three years, and will be presented at the annual TDA.

NS Advocate Award recipients in the 'SMEs', 'Large Companies' and 'Organisations' categories are assessed on three main criteria:

a. Policy
Adoption of policies and practices by the organisation to support NS and their NSman employees.

b. Support
Implementation of policies and practices by the organisation to support their NSman employees.

c. Advocacy
Advocacy efforts by the organisation to promote understanding and support for NS.

NS Advocate Award recipients in the 'Individuals' category are assessed based on their outstanding efforts to:
a. Support NSmen in fulfilling their NS commitments, and/or;
b. Promote greater understanding and support for NS.

This year, 139 NS Advocate Awards were presented to 12 individuals, 89 SMEs, 24 large companies and 14 organisations.

About the NS Mark

Launched in August 2016, NS Mark is a national-level accreditation scheme that recognises businesses and organisations which have put in place policies and human resource practices that support NS and TD. These include initiatives which support NSmen in better balancing their family, work and NS commitments. The scheme also aims to cultivate a more NS-friendly workplace culture by rallying stronger community support for NS with the NS Mark recipients leading by example.

NS Mark Tiers

The NS Mark comprises two tiers of accreditation -- the NS Mark and the NS Mark (Gold). Both accreditations are conferred for a period of three years.

a. NS Mark
When businesses and organisations from the public and private sectors sign the Declaration of Support for NS and TD, they will be accorded the NS Mark accreditation.

b. NS Mark (Gold)
Businesses and organisations which have demonstrated a higher level of support for NS may progress to the higher-tiered NS Mark (Gold). Initiatives which showcase greater support include the implementation of policies and human resource practices which contribute towards NS and TD.

Recipients of the NS Mark (Gold) which have demonstrated exemplary support for NS and TD will be considered for the prestigious NS Advocate Award.

More Resources

Dr Ng: Total Defence More Relevant Than Ever Today