To tackle manpower challenges arising from lower birth
rates in recent years, the military is reviewing requirements to
“increase flexibility” and allow more soldiers to be deployed in
various vocations in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
A review by the SAF Medical Corps on these requirements
is expected to be completed soon, and changes will be implemented
“progressively over the next few years”, said Defence Minister Ng
Eng Hen in his opening address at the Asia Pacific Military Health
Exchange on Tuesday (May 23).
By 2030, the pool of full-time national servicemen
(NSFs) is expected to shrink by one-third — a challenge which the
medical corps must “respond decisively” to, he said. “Because of
our manpower constraints, each soldier is valuable, whose
contributions need to be optimised and put to full use for the
nation’s defence,” added Dr Ng.
He also acknowledged military medical practitioners for
their contributions in humanitarian aid during disasters, in
pandemic and terrorism control, and care and rehabilitation for
casualties, among others.
The review, which is expected to be completed by the
end of this year, will increase flexibility for deployment.
However, it is unclear if the revised requirements will kick in
during pre-enlistment, or after full-time national servicemen have
completed their basic military training (BMT).
In response to TODAY’s queries, the Ministry of Defence
(Mindef) said it will divulge more details at a later date.
Currently, pre-enlistees are assigned a physical
employment status (PES), which is one factor in determining their
vocation during National Service (NS). For example, those assigned
PES A are deemed fit for all field duties, including frontline
duty, manoeuvre vocations and direct combat. Those in PES C are fit
for combat support vocations and undergo a modified BMT programme,
while those in PES E are fit only for administrative duty.
The review was first announced during the debate on
Mindef’s budget this year. Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung
noted then that as technological advancements in the SAF have
altered the nature of military vocations, the requirements are
being reviewed to deploy NSFs more effectively in accordance to
their fitness and abilities.
Dr Ng also cited the army’s new Centre of Excellence
for Soldier Performance — set up to redesign fitness training to
enhance the potential of every soldier — as a move to navigate
manpower constraints.
“(The centre) allows our medical professionals to work
with the training community and sports scientists to increase the
potential and enhance performance of every soldier,” he said.
As part of efforts to encourage greater ownership among
NSFs and create a more positive NS period, the first batch of
pre-enlistees were allowed to express their interest in 33
vocations across the SAF, the
Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence
Force during their pre-enlistment screening at the Central Manpower
Base from November last year.
Excluded from the options are elite forces such as
commandos and naval divers, roles that have more stringent
selection criteria. While Mindef tries to match NSFs to vocations
based on their interests and aptitudes, the ministry has stressed
that operational requirements remain a key consideration during
postings.
Twenty-three courses conducted by the SAF are also now
accredited under the Workforce Skills Qualification scheme, a move
aimed at giving NSFs a leg up in their future careers. These
include the BMT for most recruits, except for commando or naval
diver trainees. The other accredited courses centre on leadership,
medical and logistics management.
The Asia Pacific Military Health Exchange, in its third
iteration, is held for the first time in Singapore. Jointly
organised by the SAF Medical Corps and the United States Pacific
Command, the four-day conference brings together 500 military
personnel from over 25 nations to discuss the latest in military
health and medicine.
todayonline