OPS & TRAINING
700,000 CURRENT AND FORMER NSMEN TO BENEFIT FROM RECORD RECOMMENDATIONS
19 Jan 2006
Whether you are a newly-enlisted Full-time National Serviceman (NSF), an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman) going through your 10-year In-Camp Training cycle, or an NSman who has fulfilled your NS liabilities, you are likely to enjoy financial, social and recreational benefits in one form or another.
The Fourth Committee to Recognise the Contributions of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD IV) announced its recommendations on 19 Jan.
NSmen from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Police Force will also be eligible for the benefits.
For example, the committee is recommending an NS Bonus, to be given to 700,000 serving and former NSmen, as part of the next surplus sharing exercise. For the first time, NSFs will also enjoy this bonus.
Another suggestion is a new award for NSmen upon the completion of their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). A one-time payout, this broad-based initiative would benefit up to 20,000 NSmen annually.
The committee has also recommended more allowances and tax relief for NSmen who hold key appointments in their units.
Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, who is also the chairman of RECORD IV, said the committee's recommendations should not be seen as commensurate with the sacrifice made by NSmen.
"Rather, it is a tangible expression, a simple way of saying that we appreciate the role of each NSman," he explained.
"With new and emerging security threats, Total Defence remains a national priority and the contributions of our NSmen continues to be of relevance and importance," he said.
"The Government is committed to recognising the contributions of our NSmen who ensure Singapore's peace and stability."
To make travel more convenient for NSmen, the committee has proposed that NSmen who have completed their ORNS training cycle be excused from notifying MINDEF of short overseas trips. Moreover, NSFs need to apply for an exit permit only for overseas trips of three months or more.
The families of NSmen have not been forgotten in the recommendations either. Those living in the western part of Singapore may soon enjoy the facilities of a new SAFRA clubhouse, which will be built in Jurong in the next few years.
To further enhance public support for NS, RECORD IV has also proposed expanding NS units' cohesion programmes, to involve families and employers in these activities for them to better understand the training NSmen go through.
A member of the committee, Ms Lim Mei Mei, whose husband is an NS officer, felt such visits would encourage interest in Total Defence.
"When the kids see their fathers playing an active role in Total Defence, they too will feel the enthusiasm and want to contribute," she said.
Another committee member, LTC (NS) Gerald Singham, said his appointment as a Commanding Officer of a NS battalion has given him better insight into what his men want, and he has brought their suggestions to RECORD IV.
He said his men have internalised the sense of duty and sacrifice in doing NS, and what they sought was appreciation for what they do.
"My men appreciate that after all these years, RECORD and the SAF are still finding new and interesting ways to show recognition to NSmen," said LTC (NS) Singham.
Visit the RECORD IV website for the committee's recommendations in greater detail.
The Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD) meets once every five years. RECORD IV was convened last September and is chaired by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen.
The RECORD IV committee comprises 18 members representing various segments of Singapore society. They include Members of Parliament, SAF NSmen, Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force NSmen, a spouse of an NSman and employers of NSmen.
RECORD IV was set up to recommend ways to recognise the contribution of Singaporeans, especially NSmen, to Total Defence, and to enhance the contributions of NSmen, their families and employers, to Total Defence.
The committee conducted five focus groups and gathered several hundred suggestions and feedback from Singaporeans.
Three key considerations were also at the front of the members' minds:
1) The 3G SAF
Since the success of this transformation depends on personnel with quality leadership and management skills, NSmen who take on greater leadership roles and heavier responsibilities as key command and staff appointment holders, should be given due recognition.
2) Changing profile of NSmen
Better-educated NSmen now travel more for work and leisure. Measures should be made to help them better balance their commitments to NS and their family/work.
3) Importance of Total Defence
Singapore continues to face threats to her security, thus all Singaporeans, and not just NSmen, should remain committed to, and supportive of NS.
19 Jan 06 - RECORD IV Unveils Recommendations to Recognise Contributions of NSmen in Securing Singapore's Peace and Stability
The Fourth Committee to Recognise the Contributions of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD IV) announced its recommendations on 19 Jan.
NSmen from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Police Force will also be eligible for the benefits.
For example, the committee is recommending an NS Bonus, to be given to 700,000 serving and former NSmen, as part of the next surplus sharing exercise. For the first time, NSFs will also enjoy this bonus.
Another suggestion is a new award for NSmen upon the completion of their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). A one-time payout, this broad-based initiative would benefit up to 20,000 NSmen annually.
The committee has also recommended more allowances and tax relief for NSmen who hold key appointments in their units.
Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, who is also the chairman of RECORD IV, said the committee's recommendations should not be seen as commensurate with the sacrifice made by NSmen.
"Rather, it is a tangible expression, a simple way of saying that we appreciate the role of each NSman," he explained.
"With new and emerging security threats, Total Defence remains a national priority and the contributions of our NSmen continues to be of relevance and importance," he said.
"The Government is committed to recognising the contributions of our NSmen who ensure Singapore's peace and stability."
To make travel more convenient for NSmen, the committee has proposed that NSmen who have completed their ORNS training cycle be excused from notifying MINDEF of short overseas trips. Moreover, NSFs need to apply for an exit permit only for overseas trips of three months or more.
The families of NSmen have not been forgotten in the recommendations either. Those living in the western part of Singapore may soon enjoy the facilities of a new SAFRA clubhouse, which will be built in Jurong in the next few years.
To further enhance public support for NS, RECORD IV has also proposed expanding NS units' cohesion programmes, to involve families and employers in these activities for them to better understand the training NSmen go through.
A member of the committee, Ms Lim Mei Mei, whose husband is an NS officer, felt such visits would encourage interest in Total Defence.
"When the kids see their fathers playing an active role in Total Defence, they too will feel the enthusiasm and want to contribute," she said.
Another committee member, LTC (NS) Gerald Singham, said his appointment as a Commanding Officer of a NS battalion has given him better insight into what his men want, and he has brought their suggestions to RECORD IV.
He said his men have internalised the sense of duty and sacrifice in doing NS, and what they sought was appreciation for what they do.
"My men appreciate that after all these years, RECORD and the SAF are still finding new and interesting ways to show recognition to NSmen," said LTC (NS) Singham.
Visit the RECORD IV website for the committee's recommendations in greater detail.
The Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen to Total Defence (RECORD) meets once every five years. RECORD IV was convened last September and is chaired by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen.
The RECORD IV committee comprises 18 members representing various segments of Singapore society. They include Members of Parliament, SAF NSmen, Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force NSmen, a spouse of an NSman and employers of NSmen.
RECORD IV was set up to recommend ways to recognise the contribution of Singaporeans, especially NSmen, to Total Defence, and to enhance the contributions of NSmen, their families and employers, to Total Defence.
The committee conducted five focus groups and gathered several hundred suggestions and feedback from Singaporeans.
Three key considerations were also at the front of the members' minds:
1) The 3G SAF
Since the success of this transformation depends on personnel with quality leadership and management skills, NSmen who take on greater leadership roles and heavier responsibilities as key command and staff appointment holders, should be given due recognition.
2) Changing profile of NSmen
Better-educated NSmen now travel more for work and leisure. Measures should be made to help them better balance their commitments to NS and their family/work.
3) Importance of Total Defence
Singapore continues to face threats to her security, thus all Singaporeans, and not just NSmen, should remain committed to, and supportive of NS.
19 Jan 06 - RECORD IV Unveils Recommendations to Recognise Contributions of NSmen in Securing Singapore's Peace and Stability
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