NS has been the cornerstone of our nation’s defence and security
since independence. Our national servicemen form the backbone of
the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) that keep Singapore safe and
secure.
To date, more than 900,000 male Singaporeans have served NS and
journeyed through this rite of passage. For many, this defining
experience bonds servicemen from different backgrounds and across
generations.
The need for NS became clear when Singapore gained independence
in 1965. It would not have been possible to raise a regular force
of a sufficient size to protect this island state given our small
population. On 21 February 1967, then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan
Yew announced the introduction of full-time NS. Conscription began
with 900 of 9,000 eligible conscripts enlisting for full-time NS,
while the rest served part-time in the People’s Defence Force, the
Vigilante Corps and the Special Constabulary. Full-time NS was
extended to the SPF and SCDF in 1975 and 1981 respectively.
For over 47 years, NS has evolved into a national institution
that is well accepted and a part of our way of life.
When NS was introduced, officers served three years and other
ranks served two years, followed by ten years of reserve service.
In 1971, the length of service was changed to two-and-a-half years
for servicemen holding the rank of corporal and above. In 1983, the
reservist training cycle was extended from 10 to 13 years, to meet
operational needs.
In 2005, arising from improvements in training and technology,
the duration of full-time NS was reduced from two-and-a-half years
to two years. The Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS)
duration was shortened to ten years in 2006. (ORNS replaced the
term “reservist” in 1994 to better signify the operational roles
and readiness of our main fighting force.)
The roles of national servicemen have changed over time. Our
first few batches of enlistees were trained in infantry battalions.
Enlistees also started joining the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1969 and 1970
respectively. In 1975, the first intake of full-time Police
National Servicemen was enlisted and deployed for peacetime and
emergency functions, such as crime prevention patrols and
protection of key installations, and preparation and training for
national emergencies and disasters. The SCDF enlisted its first
intake of NSFs in 1981 to provide emergency services to the nation
during peacetime and crises.
Since then, our servicemen’s roles have expanded. They are now
trained for a wide spectrum of operations. In the SAF, our
servicemen are trained to fight within units that have to operate
in a decentralised manner and in urban terrain. They are also
technologically savvy, and able to operate sophisticated equipment.
This will enable the SAF to achieve mission success decisively and
efficiently.
Beyond protecting Singapore from armed conflicts, our servicemen
are now involved in countering terrorism, dealing with the
aftermath of natural disasters and tackling health epidemics. For
instance, our NSFs and NSmen from the SAF and the Home Team aided
relief efforts in Indonesia and Thailand in the wake of the Boxing
Day tsunami of 2004, working shoulder to shoulder with our regular
forces. Our SCDF NSmen have participated in a total of nine relief
missions in the Asia-Pacific region, as part of Operation
Lionheart. Back home, our SAF NSFs contributed to detection,
contact tracing and quarantine management efforts during the SARS
crisis in 2003. SAF medics were also deployed at Changi Airport to
augment efforts to screen air travellers.
The changing roles of our servicemen reflect the need for NS to
evolve and keep pace with the changes in our society as well as our
threat environment. This is necessary if NS is to remain
relevant.
NS, as the bedrock of our fighting force and national security,
remains critical for Singapore’s continued survival and success. A
strong defence underpins the peace and prosperity we enjoy, by
safeguarding Singapore’s independence and sovereignty, as well as
providing us with the political space and freedom to act in
Singaporeans’ best interests.
The turbulence and instability in our regional security
environment in recent years underscore the continued importance of
defence for this generation. Countries have become increasingly
assertive over the maritime and territorial disputes in the East
and South China Seas. Tensions in Northeast Asia in particular have
risen, as overlapping claims intersect with historical animosities,
domestic nationalism and changing power dynamics. We also have to
contend with non-traditional threats such as terrorism, piracy,
natural disasters and health epidemics. These unpredictable threats
are complex, with no easy solutions.