About Total Defence Awards

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

From 2015, the TDA will recognise a broader spectrum of NS advocates beyond businesses, and will include educational institutions, family and community organisations as well as individuals. The Home Team NS Awards will also be 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.

Awards Prior to the Revamp

Total Defence Awards

Prior to 2015, TDA comprised three categories of awards to honour businesses for their strong support for Total Defence. The categories included:

• Minister for Defence Award (MDA)
  The award is the highest accolade conferred on organisations that have shown exemplary support for Total Defence. Recipients of the MDA are also inducted into the Minister for Defence Awards (MiDAs) League for a five-year term. The League is structured as an alumnus and members serve as advocates for Total Defence.
• Distinguished Defence Partner Award (DDPA)
  The award is presented in appreciation of organisations that have consistently demonstrated outstanding support for Total Defence.
• Meritorious Defence Partner Award (MDPA)
  The award is presented in appreciation of organisations that have shown commendable support for Total Defence.

Home Team National Service Awards for Employers

The Home Team NS Awards comprised categories similar to the TDA, including:

• Minister for Home Affairs Award
  The award is presented in honour of organisations that have given unwavering and excellent support for NS. The top 20% of these award recipients are inducted into the Minister's Honour Roll for a five-year tenure.
• Distinguished Home Team Partner Award
  The award is presented in appreciation of organisations that have consistently demonstrated outstanding support for Total Defence.
• Meritorious Home Team Partner Award
  The award is presented in appreciation of organisations that have displayed commendable support for NS.
   

Revamped Total Defence Awards

From 2015, the TDA will comprise just one tier of award - the NS Advocate Award - across four categories:

• Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
• Large Companies
• Organisations

• Individuals
   

The NS Advocate Award is the highest accolade awarded to individuals, businesses or organisations for their exemplary support towards Total Defence and in particular, NS. The expanded categories allow us to better honour the wide range of societal stakeholders who have contributed towards Total Defence and NS.

As part of the revamp, the Home Team NS Awards will also be integrated with the TDA. The revamped TDA represents a common awards platform that collectively recognises strong public support for NS and NSmen from both the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team. Additionally, ACCORD will also endorse the nominations across the various stakeholder groups including businesses, educational institutions, family and community organisations, and individuals. 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,  which recognises :

• Policy
  Adoption of policies and practices by the organisation to support NS and their NSmen employees.
• Support
  Implementation of policies and practices by the organisation to support their NSmen employees.

• Advocacy
  Advocacy efforts by their organisation to promote understanding and support for NS.

NS Advocate Award recipients in the 'Individuals' category are assessed based on their outstanding effort to:

Support NSmen in fulfilling their NS commitments: and/or

Promote greater understanding and support for NS

This year, 122 pinnacle awards were presented to 53 SMEs, 34 large companies, 25 organisations and 10 individuals.