Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How visited the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) School V this afternoon. Established in 2018, BMTC School V is a dedicated training school for PES C and PES E recruits, and plays a vital role in providing a holistic and common Basic Military Training (BMT) experience for service-fit servicemen.

During the visit, Mr Heng observed the conduct of the Functional Assessment for Transport Operators. Designed to replicate the physical demands required of a Transport Operator, the assessment examines the physiological and functional capabilities of servicemen to determine their eligibility to be safely deployed in the Transport Vocation. The SAF developed the Functional Assessment for Transport Operators to improve deployment opportunities and enhance the National Service (NS) experience for eligible service-fit servicemen. This is part of the SAF's continual efforts to maximise the potential of Full-time National Servicemen and deploy them to meaningful roles for Singapore's defence. Mr Heng also engaged BMTC School V recruits undergoing component training and thanked them for their commitment and dedication to NS.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Mr Heng highlighted how the Functional Assessment for Transport Operators is an example of how the SAF continually explores ways to enable Full-time National Servicemen to contribute meaningfully during their NS journey, thereby enhancing their NS experiences. He said, "Previously, we had deployed our manpower into combat and non-combat roles according to distinct Physical Employment Standards (PES). What we have found over the years is that certain things have changed… We are now able to look at the requirements of different jobs and say that it may be doable even though by the original PES system, you would not have been allowed to do so… If a person who may not be of the PES status that would originally have been allowed to perform this function, passed the eight-station test, they will now be allowed to be trained into that vocation."

Mr Heng also highlighted the value proposition of the Functional Assessment for the SAF to better fulfil operational requirements. He said, "From the manpower point of view, we are able to access a bigger pool of transport operators… We are already seeing a 7% increase in the manpower pool for transport operators and this is significant especially when you take into account that our number of babies is actually not going up at any fast rate as well… But equally importantly, when you speak to the soldiers themselves, they really appreciate it because if I have to spend two years with you, I want my time to count for something that is functionally and operationally required."

Mr Heng was accompanied by Commander Combat Service Support Command Brigadier-General Terry Tan and other senior officials from the Singapore Army.