About the NS Mark

In 2013, the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) recommended the introduction of an NS Mark accreditation scheme to strengthen community recognition and support for NS. The Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) led the development of the accreditation scheme, through extensive consultations between the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Singapore Armed Forces and the various stakeholder groups. 

Launched in August 2016, NS Mark is a national-level accreditation scheme that recognises businesses and organisations which have put in place policies and human resource practices that support NS and Total Defence (TD). These include initiatives which support NSmen in better balancing their family, work and NS commitments. The scheme also aims to rally stronger community support for NS with the NS Mark recipients leading by example. 

NS Mark Tiers
The NS Mark comprises two tiers of accreditation – the NS Mark and the NS Mark (Gold). Both accreditations are conferred for a period of three years.

a. NS Mark
When businesses and organisations from the public and private sectors sign the Declaration of Support for NS and TD, they will be accorded the NS Mark accreditation. 

NS Mark recipients will be featured in MINDEF, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and ACCORD publicity materials that showcase their best pro-NS practices. Recipients will also receive an accreditation package that will enable them to display their status as accredited businesses and organisations. Recipients may use the NS Mark logo in their company’s marketing and promotional collaterals.

b. NS Mark (Gold)
NS Mark recipients which have demonstrated a higher level of support for NS may progress to the higher-tiered NS Mark (Gold). Initiatives which showcase greater support include the implementation of policies and human resource practices which contribute towards NS and TD.

In addition to the benefits enjoyed by NS Mark recipients, NS Mark (Gold) recipients will be given priority to participate in career fairs organised by MINDEF and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Recipients of the NS Mark (Gold) which have demonstrated exemplary support for NS and TD will be considered for the prestigious NS Advocate Award (please refer to Section B for more details on the NS Advocate Award).

Figure 1. NS Mark Tiers.

Application Process for the NS Mark Accreditation 

To apply for the NS Mark, businesses and organisations will have to pledge their support for NS and TD. Interested applicants can submit their Declaration of Support at www.NSmark.sg. Application begins from 26 August 2016.

Interested applicants may also apply for the NS Mark (Gold) accreditation. They will have to indicate the policies, practices or advocacy efforts that they have in place to support NS and TD. Upon submission, applicants will be reviewed and assessed based on two criteria: 

a.The extent and effectiveness of the support; 
b.The advocacy efforts that have been put in place. 

The NS Mark (Gold) accreditation will be awarded when the prevailing criteria have been met.
Top NS Mark (Gold) recipients which have displayed exemplary support for NS and TD will be considered for the prestigious NS Advocate Awards.

Figure 2. The NS Mark Accreditation Process.

About the 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 CSNS and ACCORD recommended enhancing awards for companies with pro-NS policies or human resource practices, and individuals or employers who are supportive of NS. 

The revamped TDA was launched in 2015 to recognise a broader spectrum of NS advocates beyond businesses, to include educational institutions, family and community organisations as well as individuals. The Home Team NS Awards has also been integrated with the TDA. The revamped TDA, which comprises a single highest tier award – the NS Advocate Award – aims to strengthen advocacy for NS by encouraging others to play their part in supporting our national servicemen. 
 

NS Advocate Award

The TDA consists of the NS Advocate Award across four categories – Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Large Companies, Organisations and 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. From 2017 onwards, the top NS Mark (Gold) accredited companies and organisations would be selected for the NS Advocate Award. The NS Advocate Award is conferred for a period of three years, and will be presented at the annual TDA. 

Figure 3. Total Defence Awards.

NS Advocate Award recipients in the ‘SMEs’, ‘Large Companies’ and ‘Organisations’ categories are assessed on three main criteria: 

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

b.    Support
Implementation of policies and practices by the organisation to support their NSmen employees.

c.    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:

a.    Support NSmen in fulfilling their NS commitments, and/or;

b.    Promote greater understanding and support for NS

This year, 126 pinnacle awards were presented to 52 SMEs, 34 large companies, 28 organisations and 12 individuals.