A STRONGER NS

Many of the recommendations have already come to fruition, such as the reduction of enlistment wait-time, the NS Housing, Medical and Education Awards and the SAF Volunteer Corps.

Read on to find out more about the upcoming initiatives.

Skilled moves

Ask a pre-enlistee his thoughts on serving the nation and it could very well be a nonchalant "Just serve lor. Two years only mah, serve then get out."

But in the course of their military training, Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) pick up many different skills.

What if they could be certified in these skills and the certification boosts their chances of getting a job?

Since 2009, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF have been working with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to accredit soldiering competencies reflecting the leadership, technical and specialist skills acquired during NS.

This collaboration sees WDA matching relevant skills acquired during NS to respective industrial domains under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework.

Explaining the reason for this partnership, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Alex Chen, Head Personnel Development Branch in G1 Army, said that some of the skills that NSFs pick up during NS are also useful in their civilian lives, and the SAF is looking into how these competencies can be recognised by their prospective employers.

An industrial standard-based national skills credentialing system, the WSQ accreditation will attest to the professional standards of the skills and competencies developed in NS and possibly help increase employability.

"This will provide more support for NSFs' transition to the workforce, even if the skills from NS are not immediately related to a particular industry," said LTC Chen.

During the accreditation process, the WDA will match the training syllabi of SAF training to relevant domains within industries.

The WDA will subsequently accredit the training institute to benchmark the training, teaching pedagogy and trainers' proficiency to the WDA's requirements. Lastly, it audits the training delivery to validate the conduct of training for consistency.

Currently, there are several WSQ-accredited military courses and these include the Flight Line Crew Course, Military Police Specialist Course and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Course.

MINDEF and the SAF will continue to work with WDA to review training syllabi to see if they qualify for certification or higher certification.

LCP (NS) Irzaq is grateful that the medic skills he picked up during his NS days helped him to find his calling in life and get a job of his choice.

Power of knowledge

One example of how the accreditation of courses has helped boost NSFs' employability is Lance Corporal (LCP) (NS) Irzaq Adam.

The 22-year-old was a combat medic during his NS days and was trained under the EMT Course. Conducted by the SAF Medical Training Institute, the 12-week course equipped him with skills like administering intravenous drips and dealing with conditions such as heat exhaustion and spinal injuries.

He was eventually awarded a Healthcare Support certification under the WSQ framework.

Following his Operationally-Ready Date, he developed an interest in the medical field and applied to be a medic with the Ambulance Medical Service.

His current position requires him to keep an eye on the patient and administer appropriate treatment during the journey from home to the hospital or vice versa.

LCP (NS) Irzaq explained: "If a patient is breathless, I must measure the oxygen level in his body and assess the patient. After that, I will stabilise the patient by administering oxygen. This is knowledge that I picked up from my EMT course."

Having a certificate also gave him an advantage over his competitors when he applied for the job. "During the interview, I told my employers that I was a combat medic in the SAF, was EMT-trained and had the certificate. My company recognised the qualifications and this helped me get the job I wanted."

As he was equipped with the necessary knowledge, he did not have to undergo any basic training courses when he was hired.

CPL Hadi feels that the new MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance is a good move by the organisation in caring for the welfare of soldiers.

MINDEF pays, you benefit

Most servicemen would be familiar with the SAF Group Term Life (GTL) Insurance Scheme which they are paying for every month. However, all this will change with the implementation of the MINDEF & Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Group Insurance.

From 1 Jul, all servicemen will be provided with $150,000 GTL and $150,000 Group Personal Accident (GPA) insurance coverage. This is under the Core Scheme of the new Group Insurance.

Best news of all? The cost will be fully borne by MINDEF and MHA.

All personnel covered under the Core Scheme can purchase additional coverage for themselves and their dependants through the Voluntary Scheme, at their own expense. The Voluntary Scheme will be available from 1 Oct for MINDEF/SAF personnel.

An added benefit over and above existing compensation and welfare frameworks, the MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance is both organisations' way of recognising people's contributions towards national defence.

The coverage will also be extended to regular MINDEF/SAF servicemen (Military and Defence Executive Officers) and regular Home Team Uniformed Officers; NS volunteers; as well as volunteers from the SAF Volunteer Corps, Volunteer Special Constabulary, and Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit.

Corporal (CPL) Hadi Azhari, a security trooper from the 8th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment, felt that the new insurance was a good move by MINDEF and the SAF.

"It shows that MINDEF and the SAF are looking out for soldiers. It also gives me peace of mind, knowing that I'm covered by MINDEF during my In-Camp Training (ICT) whether I'm on the road or in the jungle."

Higher coverage at lower premiums

Beyond the enhancement of separate sums assured for life and accident coverage, the MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance includes various other improvements compared to the existing SAF GTL Insurance Scheme.

Servicemen who are currently policyholders under the existing SAF GTL Insurance Scheme will have their coverage automatically ported over to the Voluntary Scheme from 1 Oct. There will be no gap in their insurance coverage. The insurer will inform affected servicemen separately in writing on the detailed transitional arrangements.

Servicemen who choose to continue under the Voluntary Scheme can pay just $5.10 per month per $100,000 GTL and $100,000 GPA.

In the event of death due to an SAF-related accident, the family or beneficiaries of a person with the Core Scheme will receive 100 percent of both the GTL and GPA, totalling the amount at $300,000.

And if he had bought $100,000 GTL and $100,000 GPA under the Voluntary Scheme, the total payout would be $500,000. Under the old SAF GTL, it would only be up to $200,000.

For more examples, refer to the infographic.

Compared to the old SAF GTL Insurance Scheme, the new insurance also sees an increase in the areas covered, ranging from simple fractures and second-degree burns to compassionate death allowance and death due to natural catastrophe.

When asked if he will retain the current coverage, CPL Hadi said that he probably would take it up as the amount was affordable and he was getting more coverage for less.

Said the 23-year-old: "With this amount (of coverage), I'm assured that I will be covered should anything happen to me."

CPT (NS) Tan credits getting the NSEA to his peers and instructors, who motivate him in performing well during his ICT sessions.

Rewarding call-ups

Previously under the Family Recognition Voucher (FRV) scheme, Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) who were among the top 10 percent of performers in ICT or their NS courses received $100 worth of vouchers.

This was the same for NSmen who were recipients of awards like the National Day Award or SAF/Singapore Police Force/Singapore Civil Defence Force NSmen of the Year Award.

From 1 Apr, with the introduction of the NS Excellence Award (NSEA), these NSmen now receive double the amount in credits. In addition, the next 20 percent of performers will now receive $100 worth of credits.

NSmen can redeem these credits from a wide range of merchants such as family-related attractions and food and beverage dining options, or for cash vouchers.

Senior Manager of Engagement and Recognition Branch from National Service Policy Department Tay Yong Li said that by including and enhancing the FRV under the NSEA scheme, MINDEF hopes to recognise more NSmen for their performance and contributions during their Operationally Ready NS (ORNS).

"The scheme's new name reflects our intent to acknowledge NSmen who have shown good service and exemplary behaviour in their ORNS. NSmen will be able to enjoy the credits with their families and this is also MINDEF's way of thanking the families for their support."

CPT (NS) Tan (left) planning an operation with his fellow ICT mates.

A welcome move

Since its roll-out, about 2,500 NSmen have been awarded the NSEA and Captain (CPT) (NS) Jeremy Tan is one of them.

The Officer Commanding from the 3rd Singapore Division, who had been a recipient of both the FRV and NSEA, welcomed the new initiative. "For my unit, many of us could defer but we consciously chose not to. We go back (every year for ICT) because we grew up together and have become life-long friends who look out for one another.

"There are a lot of good performers within the unit and the fact that MINDEF has taken this step to reward a wider spectrum of people is a great move."

NSEA recipients will be informed of the redemption process via SMS before the end of 2016, and the credits will be valid for one year from the date of notification.

NSmen who were awarded the FRV on or before 31 Mar will still be able to redeem their vouchers from the appointed vendors until the FRV expires. For those who have already redeemed their FRV, the vouchers will be valid until the stipulated expiry dates.

A touch of joy

Along the same line of appreciating NSmen, MINDEF has also extended gifts to NSmen as a way of celebrating their joyous occasions.

Prior to the implementation of the Celebratory Gifts, NSmen would only receive a wedding or newborn gift if they solemnised their marriage or had a child during their ICT.

Now they will receive $100 worth of credits regardless whether these two occasions take place during their ICT.

The credits are redeemable from various merchants, and NSmen who receive both the NSEA and Celebratory Gifts can combine their credits for redemption.

The initiative was launched at the beginning of the year, and NSmen who get married or have newborns on or after 1 Jan will receive the gift.

If more than one child is born, NSmen will receive $100 worth of credits for each of their newborn children. Those who solemnised their marriage or registered their child's birth overseas will need to apply for the gift through their units.

NSmen will be informed of their eligibility for the Celebratory Gifts by the end of 2016 through either writing or SMS. They will also be able to redeem their credits from the redemption portal by the end of the year.

The three-storey indoor water theme park Splash@Kidz Amaze is a hit with both parents and children.

A swanky stop in Punggol

It is no longer news to residents living in the north-eastern part of Singapore that there is a new gem to be explored.

The latest SAFRA clubhouse has five storeys; houses Singapore's first three-storey indoor water playground, Splash@Kidz Amaze; and has more than 10 dining outlets - the most among all the SAFRA clubs.

Fronting the waterway, SAFRA Punggol is the first SAFRA clubhouse to feature a cycling and rollerblading kiosk. Patrons will also be able to return the rental bicycles and rollerblades at any kiosk along the Park Connector Network.

The clubhouse will cater to the 80,000 NSmen living in the area and is part of the recommendations put forward by the CSNS for NSmen and their families to spend time together.

Located at 9 Sentul Crescent, SAFRA Punggol is a six-minute walk from Punggol MRT station and a minute away from Sam Kee LRT station.

Since its soft opening on 24 Apr, the clubhouse has seen many families utilising its facilities, especially the Splash@Kidz Amaze, which is a hit with parents and children alike.

During a tour of the construction site of SAFRA Punggol earlier this year, Senior Minister of State for Defence and President SAFRA Ong Ye Kung referred to it as the "jewel in SAFRA's range of clubhouses".

Judging by its popularity, it seems like this jewel will be sparkling for a pretty long time.