Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung at the Committee Of Supply Debate 2016

Effective Training and Learning Systems

• Overcoming Constraints

• Safety as a Top Priority

• Managing Operationally Ready NS Training

Recognition for National Service

• Enhancing Recognition for National Servicemen

• Professional and Personal Development

• Recognition for Stakeholders

Serving with Pride

• Spirit of NSmen

• SAF Volunteer Corps

Conclusion 

Madam Chair, as our security environment becomes increasingly complex and volatile, we need not only advanced equipment and technologies, but also the continued contribution and commitment of national servicemen.

Today, I will talk about three areas of efforts important to national servicemen - effective training, meaningful recognition and instilling pride.  And I think in the process, I should be able to answer most of the cuts.

Effective Training and Learning Systems

Mr Lee Yi Shyan asked about improvements in our training and learning systems.

Overcoming Constraints

The soldiering skills of our servicemen are gained, honed and maintained through rigorous training.  But Singapore does not have large tracts of land for military training, and we have to make training realistic through innovative means. 

Take for example live-firing. To allow servicemen to gain greater confidence in their shooting skills and handling weapon systems, live-firing ranges are now equipped with targetry systems that can replicate realistic operational scenarios. 

Further, live training is augmented with simulation training, which develops our soldiers’ cognitive decision-making skills, while sharpening their physical warfighting skills.

One example is the Motorised Infantry Simulator Centre, launched in Oct 2015.  It hosts a suite of simulators that provide tactical training for selected weapons and platforms.

Safety as a Top Priority

Besides rigour and realism, another critical element of training is safety. 

Mr Pritam Singh asked about public engagement on training safety. I think this is a very valid concern that we also share. The SAF has a very good safety record.  But we are not congratulating ourselves; instead we will strive to continue to improve.

We recognise that for every Singaporean male serving NS, there will be loved ones at home worrying about their safety. To give them peace of mind, family members who visit the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) are shown how training is conducted and the safety precautions we take. 

Training safety is also featured in many of our public engagement events. And I noted Mr Pritam Singh’s suggestion for more of them. I hope the Members of this House, especially all those like Mr Lim Wee Kiak who are still serving NS, help us by playing a part to assure the public and all your residents on our strong emphasis on training safety.

Unfortunately, much as we try, there will inevitably be injuries and casualties. Mr Faisal Manap asked about our compensation framework and gave several suggestions when that happens.

Our compensation framework takes reference from, and is more generous than the WICA, Work Injury Compensation Act.

Any compensation amounts are generally two to four times that provided under the WICA.

MINDEF also pays for all necessary medical expenses incurred at government and restructured hospitals or clinics for the treatment of service-related injury, for as long as required.

Beyond compensation provisions, our welfare frameworks provide additional support to the servicemen and their families through the SAF Benevolent Fund and the SAF Care Fund.

But any form of compensation would never be adequate to make up for any permanent loss of limb, or worse, life. Mr Faisal Manap rattled off many suggestions; I was trying to catch them after hearing them for the first time. But the impression I get is - I think we should not go down the road where recognition of NS becomes a valuation of the sacrifice and any compensation comes down to the dollar, because it will never be enough.  When you lose a limb or lose a loved one, it will never be enough. But we have to do what we can that is fair and we hope that our compensation and welfare frameworks can provide adequate support when unfortunate incidents happen in the course of service. 

Managing Operationally Ready NS Training

Mr Pritam Singh also asked about the management of NSmen undergoing ORNS, or Operationally Ready NS.

Let’s first talk about when ORNS starts. And I must say that it is also in the interest of the SAF for ORNS to start as soon as possible. But not in the first year, because you would have just ORD-ed, it is quite difficult to be called back in the first year.

Currently, majority of NSmen in operational units are called up for ORNS training within the first two years after they ORD. But some NSmen may begin their ORNS training cycle later, for a variety of reasons - they are overseas for work or for study, deferred due to heavy commitments, academically or professionally, or they are pending medical reviews. They may also be trainers or HQ staff who do not have a unit and need to be redeployed to another unit. And that accounts for the majority of the reasons why ORNS starts later for certain people. 

Notwithstanding, where feasible, we will ensure ORNS training starts as soon as possible.  It is in our interest, because when you ORD as a unit, you want to keep the unit together and the camaraderie going.

There are a few ways. One way is to ensure that the first few years of ORNS comprise shorter, low key trainings. And that facilitates the calling up.

Second, we have tied up with the local universities to facilitate the call up of the students. This also ensures that ORNS training starts early.

Third is to make some changes to how we deploy NSmen. For example, trainers who went through full-time NS at the BMTC can be deployed as training instructors at our Training Institutes.

These measures ensure that ORNS training starts early.  More importantly, it holds the unit together and keeps the camaraderie going.

Then there is the issue of when the ORNS ends.

Since 2006, we were able to reduce the ORNS cycle from 13 years to 10 years. A great number are able to complete by their early 30’s, when they have many more pre-occupations in life. 

And there is a structure to the 10 years of ORNS - starting with low key, perhaps company level training, before ramping up to high key, longer exercises.

However, when an NSman misses a high key training due to health reasons, extended overseas assignment, or like Mr Baey Yam Keng just told the story, given an incentive trip, he may then disrupt his ORNS cycle, as some of us may have experienced that ourselves. And then we end up undergoing more low key ICTs and not fulfilling our high key ones.

There are a couple of scenarios when that happens, when you miss a high key ICT. If he remains in the same unit, then he may be called up for other ORNS activities throughout the year, such as operational briefings and exercise preparations. These are typically low key ICTs and they clock up.

If he is redeployed to another unit, he will then follow the operational requirements and call-ups of the new unit - which would include both low and high key ICTs. 

Ultimately, this is not an easy issue. Deferments for various work, health and family reasons, they are ever rising, we are all getting so busy, and the SAF needs to be understanding to these competing life priorities, which is the point that Mr Baey has just made. But at the same time, this disrupts and affects the completion of the ORNS cycle.  We will continue to do our best to facilitate as many NSmen as possible to complete their ORNS cycle early, while meeting the SAF's operational needs.

Recognition for National Service

Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Lim Wee Kiak asked about updates on what we can do more in terms of the recognition of our national servicemen.  This is one of the key recommendations of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS).

We have been finding ways to show appreciation to our national servicemen and those who support them - the NSman Tax Relief, NS Housing, Medical and Education Awards, the NS HOME Awards, SAFRA facilities.

These forms of recognition are important to let them know that their sacrifices are deeply appreciated, and for the greater good of Singapore. 

Enhancing Recognition for National Servicemen

We will enhance the recognition for national servicemen in three ways.

First, from 1 April 2016 - today we have the Family Recognition Voucher scheme, where NSmen receive vouchers which they can use at many outlets and merchants - we will enhance it and rename it the NS Excellence Award.  But the change is not just in name: the number of NSmen who are awarded vouchers in recognition of their good performance during ICTs and NS courses will increase. Today it is the top 10%; it will increase to the top 30%. The amount will also increase. The top 10% will receive $200 while the next 20% will receive $100, the amount they receive today. 

We will also be introducing Celebratory Gifts for NSmen. They will receive $100 worth of vouchers when they get married or welcome a new child into their families.

Second, in the later part of 2016, we will enhance the basic life and personal accident insurance coverage for national servicemen from the SAF, SPF and SCDF. This will cover all incidents during full-time NS and operationally-ready NS activities. Each serviceman will be covered for $150,000 in group term life and in group personal accident insurance.

Third, we will improve SAFRA facilities. The new SAFRA Punggol club will be completed in April 2016. Actually, it is kind of completed and just waiting to be opened. I have visited the clubhouse, which has a very attractive set of facilities, and I believe that in the North-eastern region of Singapore, where there are 82,000 NSmen and their families, the clubhouse will serve them well.

But ultimately, the best reward and recognition for national servicemen is that together, all of us believe in a peaceful Singapore and to keep our families safe. And that is the best form of recognition.

Professional and Personal Development

Mr Lim Wee Kiak also asked what more can we do to help NSmen in their professional and personal development?

Today, the SAF already deploys some full-time national servicemen (NSFs) to vocations where their existing skills can contribute to operational requirements. These include NSFs with relevant medical or engineering backgrounds, who can serve as medics or technicians or navy medical officers.

In addition, we will continue to work with WDA, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, to accredit the leadership and vocational skills learnt during NS - such as for military police, paramedics, and aircraft technicians. This will be useful to the NSmen.

We will do more to consider the skills and abilities of our servicemen during deployment, while balancing operational requirements. For example, the manning of critical vocations and commander positions must always remain a priority. And ironically, these are the key positions where you cannot receive a skill certificate. The commanders always say, in NS we “chiong sua”, we charge the hill together, we build camaraderie and we train together. That is something we take back and is very valuable to us, but there is no certificate for that. But each of us understand that when we went through that, we took back something and we grew from boys to men.

Recognition for stakeholders

We must also recognise stakeholders that support NS, something that Ms Fatimah Lateef has raised.

Last year, we revamped the Total Defence Awards and recognised 122 NS Advocates who have demonstrated tremendous support for NS.

Let me cite an example. Digistore Solutions Pte Ltd is an SME that provids very strong support for their NSmen employees. In addition to ensuring that their employees’ work responsibilities are covered, they provide paid family trips to nearby locations, Malacca, Bintan, for employees who complete their ICTs.  I heard that during ICTs, they even deployed their company transport to send their employees' kids to school.

To better recognise such companies, this year, we will launch a national accreditation scheme, the NS Mark. This scheme recognises organisations supportive of NS and Total Defence, and encourages more employers and businesses to adopt human resource practices that support our NSmen.

Under the scheme, organisations will be awarded either the NS Mark, or the higher tiered NS Mark (Gold). Top NS Mark (Gold) organisations will be further recognised as NS Advocates.

Serving with Pride

The NS institution is only as strong as the commitment and fighting spirit of our national servicemen.

Spirit of NSmen

We see this spirit in many of our NSmen. Despite having to juggle NS duties with day-to-day family and job commitments, these NSmen set aside time to attend courses to upgrade their vocational and leadership skills in preparation for their higher appointments in NS.

We also see NSmen extending service to contribute to national defence. For instance, NSmen with the relevant expertise in engineering and psychology have volunteered for the Expertise Conversion Scheme.

Often, what motivates our NSmen to serve with such dedication is the camaraderie and friendships forged with their fellow NSmen in the units. 

Last year, one of our NS Commanding Officers, Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Darren Tan shared a Facebook note dedicated to his battalion, 823 SIR. Let me quote him on his battalion’s mission statement, I assume he wrote it: "One family with unwavering passion to excel in the protection of our home."

Corporal (NS) Mohammad Azmi Bin Arifin deferred his honeymoon so that he could complete an important evaluation test with his battalion. I assume it is with his wife's approval.

First Sergeant (NS) Mok Shing Chi, despite being diagnosed with cancer, continued to serve his ICT with the help and support of his NS buddies.

Our national servicemen can keep this spirit of serving going, because Singaporeans are united in supporting NS.

SAF Volunteer Corps

This spirit is also demonstrated by women, new citizens and first-generation permanent residents who have come forth forward to serve in the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) - which Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef asked about.

We are proud that last year, 226 Volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages completed their Basic Training. More than 80% of the Volunteers have progressed to the next phase of training.

Volunteers who have completed the requisite training have since been deployed in vocations such as Auxiliary Security Troopers and Naval Bridge Watch Keepers.  

Alexander Voss, a Singapore PR and one of our Volunteer Auxiliary Security Troopers, he shared and I quote, "I have had a growing desire to give back to Singapore, which I think of as my home, and play a part in our nation’s defence…"

Just last week, the first intake for 2016 completed their Basic Training. Moving forward, we will continue to see SAFVC Volunteers deployed in diverse roles to better support our national servicemen in defending Singapore.

Conclusion

Madam Chair, next year, we celebrate 50 years of NS. The introduction of NS is a significant milestone in our nation-building journey, occurring shortly after Singapore gained independence.

Then, in this House, there were heated debates by an earlier generation of members.

Today, I think the situation is totally different. We are all united in upholding the institution of National Service. And as Mr Lim Wee Kiak said, National Service has even become a form of national identity. Indeed, the efforts of our national servicemen, and those who support them, have been instrumental in establishing the bedrock of peace and stability upon which we have built Singapore.

Let us continue to ensure NS will remain a source of pride and strength for Singapore.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: Skills Accreditation in Full-Time NS