Speech by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Second Minister for Defence, at Committee of Supply Debate 2009

Physical Fitness and Pre-conditioning

Mr Chairman, Sir, Ms Indranee has asked about the fitness of NSFs and how this relates to deaths of NSFs during training. First, let me clarify that all enlistees must undergo medical screening to determine their Physical Employment Status or PES by trained doctors. Based on their PES, the enlistees will be assigned their type of training and vocations during their NS. As elaborated in response to previous PQs, MINDEF adopts internationally accepted procedures and standards for medical screening. Indeed, when it comes to routine screening for cardiac conditions, we adopt higher standards than those recommended by the American Heart Association. An expert panel of medical experts regularly review and update screening requirements for the SAF.

Nonetheless, even after having passed the most detailed of screening techniques, there remain a small number of persons who can suffer from unexpected deaths. From time to time, we read of such incidents affecting both civilians and military personnel, even amongst athletes and sportsmen, used to physically demanding conditions. Sudden deaths have also occurred with minimal physical stress or during sleep, unrelated to physical exertion. These unexpected deaths reveal the limits of detection capabilities for pre-existing diseases even with the best medical technology. Some causes of death simply do not provide any prior warning to allow remedial or preventive measures.

Within the SAF, all servicemen are only put through training that medical experts have deemed suitable for their respective PES. But as Ms Indranee has alluded to, NSFs can have varying levels of physical performance and endurance. To determine if they are physically well-conditioned for basic military training, we use the National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) Silver as the benchmark.

Those who have obtained NAPFA Silver, about 50% of enlistees, go directly for Basic Military Training (BMT). The remaining half require help to improve their physical performance and endurance before they join the rest of their cohort for BMT. They attend a 4-week course called the Physical Training Phase, or PTP in short, upon enlistment and before they go through BMT.

4 weeks of PTP does improve their physical performance, but even after 4 weeks, many still do not reach the same level of fitness when compared to their peers who were enlisted directly for BMT.

BMT is physically rigorous. MINDEF and the SAF have been studying how we can better prepare those undergoing PTP for BMT. We have concluded that the current 4 weeks is too short as it does not bring PTP recruits to a comparable level of physical conditioning as their direct BMT peers. We have therefore decided to add another 4 weeks and extend the PTP to 8 weeks instead of the current 4 weeks PTP. This will enable a more uniform level of fitness amongst the recruits when they start their BMT.

Members should note that the overall duration of full-time 2-years NS will remain unchanged. Upon enlistment, PTP recruits will undergo their 8-week PTP first and then serve out the remaining 1 year 10 months of full-time NS. The 8 week PTP will be implemented for those enlisted from December 2009 onwards.

Having done so, I hope that young male Singaporeans will not now get the wrong idea and neglect or reduce regular exercise and hope for the 8 weeks physical training phase to prepare them for BMT. It is always better for health and well-being to keep physically fit. For those in poor physical condition, even 8 weeks of PTP may still be inadequate.

Sir, Ms Indranee also asked about encouragement for NSmen to maintain their fitness in order to pass their IPPT. The SAF introduced the IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT) programme in Oct 06 at Bedok and Khatib Fitness and Conditioning Centres (FCC), and at Maju FCC in Aug 08. This is a voluntary programme designed to help NSmen prepare for their annual IPPT. Since its inception, more than 8,000 NSmen have undergone IPT. Last year, the SAF also tied up with SAFRA to offer gym packages to help NSmen improve their IPPT results.

NSF Intake

Let me now talk about the management of NSF intakes, which was brought up by Dr Mohamad Maliki. Sir, enlistment for full-time NS takes place on a quarterly basis. We have to accommodate more than twenty thousand young male Singaporeans each year who would have completed their studies in different institutions here or abroad at different times. As a general rule, those from the GCE 'A' level cohort are generally enlisted in the December and March intakes while those who graduate from Polytechnics are generally enlisted in the June and September intakes. Those from ITE are enlisted throughout all four quarters, depending on when they graduate. For students who pursue their studies overseas or in local private institutions, they are generally enlisted within 6 months from the completion of their studies. However, some were enlisted later as they had failed part of their course, JC or polytechnics, and took longer to graduate, or had medical conditions which require further review.

Deferment

Mr Chairman Sir, Ms Olsen asked about deferment from full-time NS. As previously articulated in this House, let me reiterate the three fundamental principles that underpin National Service (NS). First, NS must be for meeting a critical national need of ensuring our national security and survival. This is the basis for the Enlistment Act where all NS-liable males are enlisted at the earliest opportunity upon turning 18 years of age, to build a capable SAF to fulfill this critical need. The second principle is universality - with this, NS is the duty of every male Singaporean fit to serve. The third is equity where every National Serviceman is to be treated in the same way, regardless of background or status.

MINDEF recognises that NS does involve a sacrifice from all individuals who have to postpone personal pursuits to serve the nation. This is why we must adhere to the three principles articulated to preserve the integrity and strength of our NS system. Nevertheless, in selected situations, MINDEF does exercise flexibility while still upholding the three principles. For example, we do allow students to defer their full-time NS to complete their studies up to GCE 'A' level, polytechnic diploma or an equivalent qualification.

Very occasionally, MINDEF does defer full-time NS for exceptional talents based on the merits of each case. In the last ten years, deferments for limited periods have been granted on less than ten occasions. Those granted such deferments included swimmer Sng Ju Wei, sailor Maximilian Soh, violist Lim Chun and pianist Lim Yan. Like everyone else, these individuals still have to serve NS after their deferment period.

People Development

Mr Hawazi Daipi asked if our military personnel are ready for the restructuring that the SAF is undergoing. Mr Chairman Sir, apart from equipping our personnel with the most effective systems and technology as Minister Teo has mentioned, the SAF also actively develops our people to maximise their potential through professional and academic upgrading.

Continuing Education is a key initiative undertaken by the SAF, which aims to promote life-long learning and realise the full potential of our people. In June last year, the SAF signed an MOU with NTU to establish a strategic partnership on Continuing Education for our servicemen. Under this partnership, SAF Officers can pursue an NTU Masters Degree with credits earned from the SAF's Command and Staff Course.

Apart from NTU, the SAF will also be establishing a strategic partnership with UniSIM, through the signing of an MOU on Continuing Education later this month. Under this partnership, UniSIM will accredit professional military education courses completed by SAF personnel, and allow them to transfer these credits to the UniSIM undergraduate degrees which they decide to pursue.

Our Warrant Officers and Specialists, or WOSpecs, also benefit from the lifelong learning initiatives through a scheme known as the Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme Sponsorship, or CLASS. Through CLASS, our WOSpecs can be sponsored to pursue certificate, diploma, advanced diploma and even degree courses.

One serviceman who has benefitted from CLASS is 1WO Kong Kok Cheon. Presently, he heads the maintenance section for F-16 fighter jet engines in the RSAF. In 2006, sixteen years after he graduated from Singapore Polytechnic, we offered him a CLASS Award to study for an Advanced Diploma in Aerospace Engineering and Management. He has since graduated and now feels that he is much better equipped to manage the operational and technical challenges at his workplace.

Recognition of NSmen

Mr Chairman Sir, Ms Indranee asked about MINDEF's efforts to recognise the contributions of our NSmen.

MINDEF regularly reviews the recognition that should be accorded to our NSmen. The RECORD committee is convened regularly for this purpose. For example, in the recent RECORD IV, we added the Operationally Ready National Service or ORNS Completion Award for NSmen.

MINDEF decided that it would be timely to convene RECORD V next month. Minister Teo has appointed Professor Koo to chair RECORD V, which will build on the work done by the first four Committees, and recommend further ways to recognise the contributions of our NSmen. It will start its work once the members have been selected.

Bullying in Camps

Sir, Ms Indranee also asked about bullying in camps. The SAF has provided channels for servicemen to report any incident of bullying. These channels are made known to all soldiers upon enlistment. We provide the information in the handbook given to each recruit. Servicemen can report such incidents to their superiors, to the para-counsellors in their units, or to the SAF Counselling Centre through the 24-hour Hotline, the number which is widely publicised.

MINDEF has zero tolerance for any form of physical abuse by commanders or soldiers on fellow soldiers. Any such incidence of abuse will be thoroughly investigated, and soldiers guilty of misconduct or other offences will be severely dealt with by Summary Trial or General Court Martial. In the recent case involving the physical assault of REC Jagjeet Singh, the three national servicemen responsible for the offence were charged and have been convicted by a General Court Martial. One of them was convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt while the other two were convicted of the lesser charge of voluntarily causing hurt. Such cases are uncommon. In the last five years, there were no other similar cases involving voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Mr Chairman Sir, the people in the SAF are our greatest asset. It is only with a dynamic and committed group of men and women that the SAF will be ready for the security challenges that may come its way.

Thank you.

More Resources

Speech by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, at Committee of Supply Debate 2009

Speech by Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State For Defence, at Committee of Supply Debate 2009