In response to media queries on how MINDEF/SAF intends to match NSFs' skills and competencies to vocations based on the SAF's operational needs and considerations, MINDEF issued the following reply: Approximately 10,000 Polytechnic and 4,500 ITE students are enlisted into National Service (NS) every year. Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) are deployed to vocations based on the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team's operational needs and assessment of factors such as the individual's medical status, physical attributes and aptitude to adequately perform the requisite tasks and responsibilities.

MINDEF/SAF supports the recent Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS)'s recommendation for NSFs' pre-existing skills and competencies to be taken into account in their NS deployment, subject to the SAF's operational needs and considerations. This will help to provide NSFs with a better NS experience and allow the SAF to benefit from the skills and competencies NSFs already have. For instance, a combat-fit NSF could be deployed as a combat medic if he has a nursing diploma."Teo Eng Dih
Director Manpower
Ministry of Defence