With the need to conduct a full spectrum of operations, the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is seeking to expand our operational
capabilities especially in niche areas of expertise. The Expertise
Conversion Scheme (ECS) was thus conceived as a scheme that allows
the SAF to tap on Singapore's talent pool. It provides more
opportunities for our Operationally Ready National Servicemen
(NSmen) with deep civilian professional expertise to voluntarily
continue contributing to the nation's defence by enhancing
operational capabilities in areas identified by the SAF. Examples
of such niche areas of expertise include law, medicine,
engineering, psychology and info-communications.
The ECS is based on the Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES),
which is premised on civilian professional expertise in key
military domains and comprises a rank structure organised according
to qualifications and experience. In recognition of the expanded
scope of responsibility in their new roles, NSmen converted under
the ECS will be emplaced to the rank of Military Expert 4 (ME4)
upon full completion of training.
Key Features
Eligibility.
Under this scheme, NS WOSEs (Warrant Officers, Specialists and
Enlistees) holding specialised professional qualifications
identified by the SAF as operationally relevant will be recommended
to join the ECS. Interested applicants can also register their
interest with the NS Relations Officers in their Formation or
Division Headquarters. This scheme is primarily for NSmen who have
completed their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS)
commitments. NSmen with existing ORNS commitments may also be
considered for conversion to meet SAF's operational requirements.
Such applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Rigorous Selection and
Comprehensive Training for ECS Personnel. Besides
stringent qualification and background checks to ensure that they
possess the appropriate expertise for the roles, shortlisted NS
WOSEs will need to possess sound leadership qualities and good
character attributes. After passing the selection board interview,
they will undergo training comprising three components: (1)
Specialisation Training; (2) Leadership Training; and (3)
On-Job-Training (OJT). This is to level up the skills set of ECS
personnel with that of their military and MDES counterparts. Upon
completion of the training, ECS personnel will be emplaced to hold
the ME4 rank.
Minimum
Obligation. As ECS personnel will be holding
senior MDES ranks, they will have their NS statutory age raised to
50 years, similar to their NS officer counterparts. They will be
required to serve in their new rank and roles for a minimum period
of three years. As per the SAF Act, they are liable for call up for
up to 40 days per year.
Implementation
Timeline. The inaugural batch of ECS personnel will
complete their required training and attain their new ranks of
ME4(A) in July this year. They will then undergo OJT in the next
few NS years before attaining their ME4 ranks. Henceforth,
depending on operational requirements and availability of suitable
candidates, there will be up to two batches of ECS conversions a
year.