Introduction

Mobilisation and equipping exercises (MOBEX) are conducted regularly to validate the operational readiness of units on manning duties, as well as to ensure that the SAF's activation processes are kept warm. The first mobilisation exercise was conducted back in the 1980s and since then, much improvement has been made to refine the processes and to enhance the system.

The One-Stop Mobilisation and Equipping Centre (MEC) concept mobilises and equips NSmen with the assigned equipment, all under one roof. This streamlined process reduces the preparation time and logistical manpower to ready units for operations. 

The enhanced One-Stop MEC at Selarang Camp features structural and information technology (IT) improvements, including self-service kiosks and storage facilities with Controlled Humidity Environment to further reduce time spent by NSmen and logisticians.

Conduct of Mobilisation and Equipping Exercise 2018

The exercise is conducted from 26 to 27 Jan 2018, involving around 8,000 Active and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from 9 Div and its assigned units (e.g., 3 SIR, 790 SIR). This year's exercise serves to validate the Army's readiness to respond to a full spectrum of operations, including homeland security operations. 

The mobilisation and equipping procedures:

a. In-processing Station. NSmen will in-process through the self-service kiosks, where they will scan their identification cards and be given a Mobilisation (Mob) slip with a list of equipment and weapons that they must draw.

b. Drawing of Equipment. NSmen will then use their Mob slip to draw their weapons and personal equipment (PE) which are held centrally within the MEC. Personal Equipment (PE) issued includes basic items such as entrenching tool (blade and stick), poncho, first aid dressing and groundsheet; communications equipment such as signal set if required; and optics such as compass and binoculars.

c. Drawing of Ammunition (Ammo). With the ammo delivered by the ammo depots to the MECs, sub-unit and individuals can draw relevant ammo directly from the MEC.

d. Force Preparation. NSmen will go through an inspection before undergoing refresher training on soldiering fundamentals to sharpen their individual soldiering skills. 

e. Returning of Equipment. After their force preparation activities, NSmen will return all equipment that they have drawn out at their respective areas within the MEC, before out-processing using the self-service kiosks.

Enhancements to Mobilisation and Equipping Process

One-Stop Equipping. Under the One-Stop MEC, soldiers will report to the MEC directly and be equipped. With the enhanced One-Stop MEC, the unit's stores and equipment, that are centrally stored and managed in warehouses, will be delivered to the multi-storey MEC building. These equipment and stores, in both the warehouses and MEC, are configured to facilitate fast distribution and minimise material handling by unit logisticians.

Integrated Combat Service Support (CSS). To streamline the equipping system, certain CSS facilities are co-located in the MEC to provide a more responsive CSS support. These facilities include (1) a workshop equipped with a washing bay and test-track; and (2) charging facilities incorporated at the various platform storage levels for equipment charging.

Ammunition Distribution. Ammunition is delivered by the SAF Ammunition Command to MECs.

a. Speed in Delivery. Ammunition is combat configured and pre-loaded into containers, ready to be delivered to the MECs.

b. Resource Saving. By using 40-foot trailers, as compared to 5-ton trucks, reduces the total number of vehicles by 70% and manpower needed by 61%.

c. Innovation. Innovatively designed containers with unique features such as the side opening capability to allow immediate access to any pallet, and locking mechanism that removes the need for lashing belts, thus enabling quicker retrieval of pallets.

Enhancements to Selarang One-Stop MEC

Digitalisation

Self-service Kiosk. By introducing 10 self-service kiosks and two helpdesks at each MEC, the manpower required is reduced. In the past, NSmen needed to scan their identification cards to register at the counters manned by operators and capture their photos in the system for verification during security checks at each equipping station. With the self-service kiosks, the process of verification and capturing of photos is automated and completed by the individuals. A single scan of the NSman's identification card at the self-service kiosk will register his particulars into both Auto-Identification Enabled Readiness System (AIDERS) and E-mobilisation In/Out Processing System (EIOPS) simultaneously.

a. In-processing. The time required for in-processing will also be shortened from 1 min to about 20 secs, improving the NSmen mobilisation experience. At in-processing, the self-service kiosk will print out a Mob slip with a barcode and the list of equipment that the NSman is required to draw (as compared to an A4 printout in the past). This Mob slip is used to register the equipment that the NSman draws/returns at each equipping station.

b. Out-processing. During out-processing, the process of verifying the returned equipment will also be automated. Upon scanning the identification card at the self-service kiosk, an out-processing slip will be printed if the NSman has completed the returning of equipment. Any outstanding equipment that has not been returned will be reflected at the self-service kiosk.

Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE)

Storage facilities have been equipped with CHE system for preservation of platforms. The CHE allows for electronic systems to be kept on-board the platforms during storage, which translates to higher readiness and efficiency. Previously, electronic systems need to be removed from platforms slated for preservation and re-assembled by technicians before being deployed for operations. By storing our platforms in a CHE, time-consuming and tedious assembling and integration tests are not required, thereby achieving equipping efficiency. 

Green Technology

Integrating Green Technology. The green technology in the MEC are as follows:

a. Solar Panels. The multi-storey MEC is equipped with solar panels to provide renewable energy as a source of alternate power.

b. Light Intensity Controls and Motion Sensors. Light intensity controls are used to allow pre-set levels of brightness in accordance to needs. Motion sensors are installed at common areas such as toilets and staircases to save electricity within the facility.

c. Used Water Recycling. As part of the efforts in water conservation, used water is channelled to a dedicated storage container that is equipped with a filtration system. The used water is then recycled for usage at the washing bay.