Committee to Strengthen National Service Holds Second Meeting

Members of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) at the second Steering Committee meeting.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen chaired the second meeting of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) at the Infantry Training Institute earlier this morning. The Committee heard and discussed the feedback and suggestions by operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) and members of the public. They also discussed ways to strengthen commitment to NS and how to better recognise NSmen for their contributions.

After the meeting, the Committee members had lunch with NSmen from the 790th Singapore Infantry Regiment who were on in-camp training. LTA (NS) Wang Jiun Haur shared after lunch, "I appreciate that the CSNS members came by to speak to us to find out what is happening on the ground. I think it is useful that the Committee seeks the views of the people on the ground because at the end of day it is the people within the system who will be most affected by what happens."

The CSNS will be holding focus group discussions from June to September 2013 for the public to discuss and share their views on specific issues relating to NS. CSNS member Mr Ridzuan bin Ismail, who will be co-hosting the first focus group discussion on 22 June 2013, shared after the meeting, "We are heartened by the numerous public feedback and suggestions. They affirm that NS remains a key national institution underpinning the defence of Singapore. We will continue to seek views over the next few months to understand the different perspectives of NS from NSFs and NSmen to employers and family members to support our national servicemen."

Members of the public who are interested in participating are invited to sign up at  https://www.mindef.gov.sg/national-service/additional-info/strengthen-ns/ for the first phase of the focus group discussions that will take place starting from 22 June 2013.

CSNS member Mr Ridzuan bin Ismail having lunch with operationally ready national servicemen from the 790th Singapore Infantry Regiment."