Response to TODAY Forum Letters on "No recognition for these NSmen?" and "All should receive recognition for NS"

Measures in place to recognise contributions of NSmen

We thank Mr Andrew Soh Wei Mun and Mr Abdul Samir Sarip for their letters "No recognition for these NSmen?" and “All should receive recognition for NS” on 2 and 6 Oct 2012 respectively.

Over the years, MINDEF has put in place various measures to show our appreciation for NSmen's contributions to defending Singapore. Some of these apply to all NSmen, such as the subsidised club facilities under SAFRA, and the annual NSman Tax Relief. NSmen have also received the National Service Bonus, and additional allotments of the GST Offset Credit and Growth Dividends.

Other measures are tied to service milestones to recognise and celebrate our servicemen's attainment of these milestones. From August 2010, we implemented the National Service Recognition Award which recognises an NSman's attainment of three different milestones in his National Service (NS) journey: completing his full-time NS, getting to the mid-point of his Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) training, and completing his ORNS training cycle.

We are heartened that Mr Andrew Soh Wei Mun and Mr Abdul Samir Sarip continue to hold National Service in high regard. All who have served NS dutifully have contributed to the peace and security of Singapore.

Tan Kok Yam
Director Manpower
Ministry of Defence

MINDEF's reply was published as "Measures in place to recognise contributions of NSmen", TODAY, 12 Oct 12