This new initiative not only allows pre-enlistees to take greater ownership of their roles and responsibilities during NS, it will also improve the operational effectiveness of the uniformed services the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen revealed at his SAF Day interview that pre-enlistees will now be able to indicate their interest in 33 NS vocations across the SAF, SPF and SCDF.
Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) are currently deployed based on considerations such as the manpower and operational requirements of the SAF, SPF and SCDF, as well as their physical fitness and suitability to perform the requisite tasks.
These will continue to be the main considerations, but now, pre-enlistees interest will also be taken into account.
Dr Ng explained: "You probably will have good scenarios where somebody who, for example, trained in ITE (Institute of Technical Education) and Polytechnic in a particular field (such as) aerospace, and for his vocation, he chooses to be an Air Force Technician. If you can match it, that is wonderful everybody benefits, win-win."
Captain (CPT) Xavier Tan, who was part of the G1 Army team that worked on the initiative, explained: "We wanted pre-enlistees to learn more about the various NS vocations as well as their own areas of interest. We believe that all vocations offer a unique and meaningful NS experience for our servicemen. This experience would be further enhanced if there was a match with their personal areas of interest."
Come this November, pre-enlistees going for their medical check-up at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) will be the first to indicate their interest across the various NS vocations. Those enlisting at end-2017 will have their vocation interests considered after they are deployed in the SAF, SPF or SCDF.
Bite-sized information
To give the pre-enlistees a better idea of the different vocations, a series of videos and write-ups are available online at www.cmpb.gov.sg/cmpb/ns-vocations.
From introducing the vocation and the role it plays in the SAF, SPF and SCDF to showing what the training will be like, the videos and write-ups give pre-enlistees a greater insight into the different vocations and allow them to make more informed decisions when indicating their interest.
CPT Tan said: "The current generation takes in a lot more information through videos, so the vocation videos aim to encourage pre-enlistees to learn more about the different vocations.
"We also hope that these efforts will help to generate interest in vocations that pre-enlistees may be less aware of."
The vocations have been grouped into seven categories three for the SAF and two each for the SPF and SCDF.
When indicating their interest, pre-enlistees must choose at least two vocations from each of the seven categories. This means that they must indicate their interest in at least six SAF, four SDCF and four SPF vocations. Pre-enlistees may also opt to indicate that they have no specific interest in any vocation.
Call of duty
After the pre-enlistees indicate their interest, the SAF, SPF and SCDF will take into consideration the operational requirements of the different forces before assigning the pre-enlistees to their vocations.
For instance, if 1,000 pre-enlistees are interested in joining the Infantry, but the SAF needs only 100, only 100 pre-enlistees will be assigned to the Infantry. Such considerations are important to maintain the uniformed services operational effectiveness.
The Commandos and Naval Divers have more stringent requirements to build the kind of capabilities they are tasked to perform. Hence, pre-enlistees will not be able to indicate their interest in these vocations. Those who are found suitable will be selected to undergo training with either the Commandos or Naval Divers.
Said Dr Ng: "I can well imagine that there are certain interests that are more popular than others... We have conducted surveys (and) I would say I am very proud of young Singaporeans. Some of the toughest vocations are also our most popular vocations. And I think that is a good sign."
