MINDEF launches new network for volunteers to contribute to national defence

They come from all walks of life, spanning different ages, interests and skill sets, but they share one common purpose: to contribute to and strengthen Singapore’s defence.

Today, about 1,500 of them serve in military and civilian volunteer roles. The Singapore Defence Volunteer Network (SG Defence) aims to double that number in the next three to five years.

This new initiative, which was announced at the Committee of Supply Debate on the defence budget in February, was officially launched by Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad at Central Manpower Base (CMPB) on 12 May.

The network is coordinated by the Engagement and Volunteer Office (EVO) in Nexus, the central agency for National Education and Total Defence under MINDEF.

This will allow individuals to transition between roles more smoothly and take up other opportunities in other volunteer schemes as they move through different life stages.

Meet three volunteers and find out what inspired them to step forward and serve!

Switching from security trooper to specialised rigger

Since joining the SAFVC in 2020, SAFVC Volunteer (SV) 2 Liew Zhen Hui has gone from serving as an Auxiliary Security Trooper (AST) to becoming a specialised rigger.

To qualify for the new role, he had to undergo a 10-day compressed Basic Rigger Course.

He will serve alongside Regular riggers to prepare parachutes for soldiers undergoing airborne training.

It is a responsibility that the 42-year-old new citizen, who came to Singapore from Malaysia in 2001, takes very seriously.

“The challenge (in being a rigger) is understanding how parachutes work, and what it means to have a safe and functioning parachute – because for every parachute, there’s a soldier whose life depends on it.”

Although the senior specialist in Singapore University of Technology and Design’s Fabrication Lab is new to rigging, he believes his background as an engineer enables him to be meticulous about safety.

Being part of the first batch of SAFVC riggers has strengthened SV2 Liew’s sense of belonging and duty.

“In my previous role (as an AST) I had already gained a very deep respect for National Service, and now I’m offered this opportunity to contribute more – it has deepened my sense of country, belonging, and contributions.”

Sharing the S’pore story as a “silver advocate”

Back in 2023, Ms Karen Lee’s daughter invited her to visit to the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC). While there, she was deeply moved by the Defence gallery.

Born in the 1960s, Ms Lee resonated with the display of Singapore’s journey from the uncertainties of independence and nation-building to becoming today’s financial and technological hub.

“A lot of us in my generation lived through that, and the one thing that has enabled Singapore to grow to (what it is) today is defence – the safety and security that we have achieved over the years,” said Ms Lee, a retiree in her 60s.

“That's what motivated me to join as a volunteer guide – to share the defence strategy and story with the public.”

She signed up to volunteer almost immediately.

One of her fondest memories since becoming an SDC volunteer guide in 2023 is conducting a tour for a group of single parents and their children.

“They (The families) don’t have many opportunities to (go out, and) when they came (to SDC) they were so amazed that (their children) were really interested in the exhibits and history,” she recounted.

“(When the children) saw the Defence exhibits they asked, ‘What happened during World War Two?’ They were interested to know more.”

She hopes that the expanded network under SG Defence will enable more opportunities for volunteers like herself to contribute in more ways, such as being a guide at other museums under DCS.

Reaching out as a foreign volunteer

Hailing from Canada, One World International School student Aadi Sakhalkar has been an assistant guide at SDC since 2023.

The 18-year-old was born in Toronto and moved to Singapore with his family in 2018 due to his father’s work.

An avid history fan, Aadi found volunteering with DCS has enabled him to quickly learn about Singapore’s past.

“When I first came to DCS, I would say I had little to no knowledge about Singapore’s history and customs… One great thing DCS has done is allow me to understand and learn more, which is why I keep (volunteering),” he explained.

He hopes that SG Defence will bring together like-minded people who are passionate about Singapore’s history and defence and have the desire to give back.

“Irrespective of someone being a PR or citizen, if they call Singapore home, they should be able to contribute to the Defence story.

“My education, all my best friends and probably my university education will be in Singapore, and I’m greatly thankful for that. So I believe that if I can contribute to this country… this opportunity serves as a basis for that,” he explained.