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BMT Suspension and Deferment of NSmen Activities Extended in light of Extension of Nationwide COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Period

22 April 2020

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The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will extend its circuit breaker measures until 1 June 2020 in tandem with the extension of the nationwide COVID-19 circuit breaker period (CBP). These include the suspension of Basic Military Training (BMT) and the deferment of Operationally Ready National Service[1] (ORNS) activities.

2,480 pre-enlistees who are due for enlistment in May 2020 will be administratively enlisted on their scheduled enlistment dates, and need not physically report for BMT. They will stay at home until the BMT suspension is lifted, and informed of their new reporting date. Overall, some 6,250 recruits are affected by the BMT suspension during the CBP. To ensure their Operationally Ready Date (ORD) will not be affected, the SAF will make adjustments to their training[2].

Training critical for the build-up of operational units will continue. This is to ensure that the SAF have sufficient operational units to respond to threats to Singapore's peace and security, even as we continue to support the national COVID-19 efforts. Servicemen in active units undergoing operational training and SAF training schools, less the Basic Military Training Centre, will continue to adhere to the measures previously announced.

Servicemen performing critical functions, such as island defence, protection of key installations, maritime security, air defence and counter-terrorism operations, will continue to be cohorted, and reside in their camps and bases before and during their operational duty to reduce the risk of infection in the critical operational units.

The SAF remains committed to safeguarding the defence of Singapore while keeping our servicemen safe in the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

[1]These non-operations-essential activities include In-Camp Training and the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). The IPPT requirements for affected NSmen will be waived. However, there will be selective call-up(s) of NSmen with relevant skill sets and who are currently not involved in COVID-19 efforts or related work, to support the Whole-of-Government efforts against COVID-19.

[2]The BMT suspension period will count towards the recruits’ full-time National Service (NS), and they will continue to be eligible for NS allowance and medical benefits during the BMT suspension.

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