Fact Sheet: Updates to Initiatives for NSFs and NSmen

Actions
Fact Sheet: Updates to Initiatives for NSFs and NSmen

The National Service Review Committee (NSRC) was established in 2020 and concluded its review in 2022. The aim of the NSRC was to strengthen the National Service (NS) system. Updates on new and ongoing initiatives are listed below:

Thrust 1: Maximise Servicemen's Contributions

Redesign of Jobs and Introduction of Functional Assessment for NSFs. The SAF is leveraging technology and redesigning jobs to deploy servicemen of varying physical abilities to a wider range of operational roles in order to optimise the deployment of every national servicemen. To date, the SAF has completed the redesign of 1,300 jobs in vocations such as Medics, Infantry Carrier Vehicle Operators and Transport Operators, while another 500 jobs will be redesigned by 2023. In parallel, the SAF implemented functional assessments at pre-enlistment medical screening for pre-enlistees with selected orthopaedic conditions from January 2022. These functional tests enable the SAF to grade pre-enlistees more precisely based on their actual functional abilities, so that the SAF can better deploy them to a wider range of roles. Since implementation, 75 of out 100 pre-enlistees were tested and assessed to be functionally able to be deployed to a wider range of roles than before.

Work-Learn Scheme (WLS). Since 2018, MINDEF/SAF has launched WLS across five domains . Thus far, 450 NSFs have enrolled in them. The servicemen who sign up for such schemes undergo a combination of full-time National Service and Regular Service. This period of service incorporates academic and technical training provided by Institutes of Higher Learning, and allows servicemen to earn polytechnic diplomas and university credits while carrying out operational duties. The sixth and newest WLS by MINDEF/SAF is the Work-Learn Scheme for Naval Warfare System Specialists (Marine Systems/Electrical and Control Systems). Selected NSFs who enlist from September 2023 can obtain a diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Technology) from Singapore Polytechnic.

Expertise-Based Redeployment during ORNS. From 2022, MINDEF/SAF have allowed eligible NSmen to be redeployed at any point in their ORNS Cycle, if they have acquired specialised skills in their civilian occupations, under the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme. In 2022, MINDEF/SAF has redeployed 200 NSmen, a 300% increase from the average of 50 NSmen a year from 2014 to 2021. New domains NSmen were re-deployed to last year included Digital & Intelligence, Logistics, and Engineering. MINDEF/SAF will continue to expand such opportunities to deploy our NSmen with relevant civilian expertise to support existing and emerging operational requirements.

Thrust 2: Improve NS Experience

Improving Administrative Efficacy

Automated Make-Up Pay (MUP) Claims System. In September 2022, MINDEF introduced an automated claims system that draws income-related information directly from CPF Board and IRAS to compute MUP amounts for NSmen's In-Camp Training. This greatly simplified processes and will allow employers, NSmen, MINDEF and MHA to save more than 260,000 man-hours in manual processing effort annually. Since its implementation, 90% of claims have been paid out within 10 working days from the start of NSmen's In-Camp Training. 92% of the claims are processed automatically, without employers or NSmen needing to make any amendments.

Digital Disbursement of Credits for NS55 Recognition Package. In July 2022, MINDEF disbursed the $100 credits given under the NS55 Recognition Package (RP) via the LifeSG mobile app. This disbursal mode has made it more convenient for our national servicemen to receive and spend their awards. Merchants and retailers have also offered discounts for the use of the credits hence enhancing the dollar value of the benefits.

•   Public Feedback. Within seven months from the launch, 76% of our national servicemen have spent their credits at least once, with 99% of them spending their benefits digitally through the LifeSG mobile application, instead of hardcopy vouchers. In comparison, it took 18 months to achieve the same utilisation for physical vouchers during NS50. This signals that they have found this redemption process to be easy and convenient.

OneNS Platform. The first phase of the OneNS was rolled out in December 2022 and January 2023 to select ICT units. This release focused on providing an enhanced ICT experience for our NSmen. There are several key enhancements.

a.  First, we streamlined camp entry and introduced in-processing via geo-location on the new OneNS mobile app. NSmen would no longer be required to exchange camp passes or queue for in/out-processing.

b.  Second, the OneNS mobile app provides NS Commanders with better situational awareness through features such as real-time attendance monitoring.

c.  Third, we centralised all essential services for ICT in the OneNS mobile app. This includes acknowledgement of ICT call-up, in/out-processing, completion of post-ICT survey and the receipt of Make-up Pay.

Servicemen can look forward to more improvements on OneNS in 2023.

[NEW] Relaxation in Exit Permit Requirements for NSmen. Currently, NSmen who are leaving Singapore for six months or more have to apply for an Exit Permit. From April 2023, MINDEF/SAF will revise this requirement to apply to trips out of Singapore for 12 months or more. This is part of our continual efforts to improve the NS experience for our NSmen, while balancing operational readiness requirements.

Thrust 3: Enhance Recognition and Support for National Servicemen

Base NS Pay. A base NS pay of $1,600 a month was introduced in September 2022 for all NSmen attending In-Camp Training, which will be pro-rated according to the duration of training. The base pay provides additional support to NSmen who are unemployed or studying, or whose income from informal jobs may not be fully captured by the data from IRAS and CPF Board.

Opening of new SAFRA Clubhouse @ Choa Chu Kang (CCK). As part of MINDEF's continuing efforts to recognise national servicemen for their contributions towards defence and security of the nation, servicemen can look forward to a new SAFRA clubhouse opening at CCK in end-May 2023.

[NEW] New NSRCC social & recreation hub. The National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) will be building a new social & recreation hub in Changi to meet the needs of a wider spectrum of national servicemen and their families.

Suggested Articles