Why NS? Just Let Some Country Take Over Us Lah... So Simple.

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National Servicemen can expect new measures to better motivate, support, and recognise them, as well to help them balance their NS commitments with their family and career commitments.

These aims were revealed by the Committee to Strengthen National Service on Wednesday, after it held its first meeting at the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong. Over the next six months, the committee will gather ideas from servicemen and the public through focus group discussions and town hall sessions.

The public may also air their views on a new website www.strengthenNS.sg or through e-mail at [email protected].

The 20-member committee is chaired by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, and includes Members of Parliament, senior military personnel, employers, and NSmen. It was set up during this year's Committee of Supply Debate in March, which saw robust debate over how to better recognise National Servicemen in light of continued immigration and the need to preserve a Singapore core. In recent months, members of the public have responded to the news by calling for greater monetary incentives, including subsidies for transport, education and health, and time-off to rest after reservist in-camp training.

Over the next six months, Singaporeans will be asked for feedback on how to beef up National Service.

The Committee to Strengthen National Service, announced in March, will lead focus group discussions and town hall sessions while also conducting online consultation sessions via a new website, www.strengthenNS.sg

The Committee meeting for the first time today, expects its work to be done within a year.

Made up of 20 members, including Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Members of Parliament,military top brass and private sector employers, the committee will use the feedback gathered to recommend measures to enhance National Service as a critical institution for Singapore's continued survival and success.

The measures are meant to motivate servicemen to give their best in serving, help them balance their duties with family and work commitments, enhance support from families, companies, new citizens and the broader community, and promote recognition of servicemen's efforts.

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Want to make a real difference in the National Service experience? Do take a moment to share with us your feedback on how to strengthen National Service.

You can also take part in an online discussion on how you can contribute in a meaningful manner to strengthen National Service.

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National Service

Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, unless exempted, are liable to register for National Service (NS). Following the completion of full-time NS, they will be required to serve up to 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) per year for the duration of their ORNS training cycle till the age of 50 years (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks).

Male children who are granted PR status under their parents' sponsorship are liable for NS under the Enlistment Act. They are required to register for NS upon reaching 16½ years old and will be scheduled for enlistment at the earliest opportunity upon reaching 18 years old. If they are pursuing full-time studies, deferment from full-time NS may be granted only if they meet the deferment conditions stipulated by the Ministry of Defence which can be found at www.ns.sg. All NS-liable males aged 13 years old and above, are required to obtain an Exit Permit (EP) when travelling overseas for 3 months or more.

NS-liable PRs are expected to serve NS. Renouncing or losing one's PR status without serving or completing full-time NS would have an adverse impact on any immediate or future applications to work or study in Singapore, or for Singapore citizenship or PR status.

Males who are granted Singapore PR, and who were previously Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, are liable to be called up for NS regardless of the type of PR status they have been granted. For further enquiries, please write to:

Central Manpower Base
CMPB Podium
3, Depot Road
Singapore 109680
Tel : 1800-3676767 (local)
65-65676767 (overseas)
Email: [email protected]

eac SG

URL: www.StrengthenNS.sg

National Servicemen can expect new measures to better motivate, support, and recognise them, as well to help them balance their NS commitments with their family and career commitments.

The public may also air their views on a new website www.strengthenNS.sg or through e-mail at [email protected].

Over the next six months, Singaporeans will be asked for feedback on how to beef up National Service.

The Committee meeting for the first time today, expects its work to be done within a year.

eac SG

Participate Now!

Please call the 24/7 NS hotline at 1800-3676767 to speak to a customer service officer.

eac SG

National Service (NS) was introduced in 1967, shortly after Singapore’s independence, to defend our nation. Since then, 700 000 sons of Singapore have served their NS.

Every son is important to Singapore. NS will transform our boys into men, a path trodden by many sons of Singapore and more to come. Your son is no different. Your son’s potential will be put to test in a challenging environment that will strengthen his mental and physical abilities. Living together with peers from different ethnicity and backgrounds, he will also appreciate the importance of teamwork and unity.

NS, is the responsibility of every male Singapore citizen and permanent resident (PR) when they reach the age of 18. This is compulsory, governed under the Enlistment Act.

If your son is a male Singapore citizen or a PR, he is liable for NS when he reaches 16½ years old. He is to enlist at the first opportunity upon reaching 18 years old.

Your son will serve in one of the 3 Uniformed Services:

NS requires 2 years in active service as a Full-Time National Serviceman (NSF). After the 2 years of NS, your son will serve as an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman) up to the age of 40. Officers or those with special skills may serve until the age of 50.

Follow these links to learn more about NS:

NS isn’t just about serving the nation—NS benefits you as well.

Firstly and obviously, your physical fitness will improve. You will be stronger and tougher. You may even look better!

NS training doesn’t just toughen up your body; it toughens your mind too. You will become more confident and capable.

NS brings together people from all walks of life—different races, different religions, some rich, some poor, some educated, and some not so educated—you will also learn to live and work closely with those who are different from you.

At the end of it all, you will notice changes in you. You will become more mature and independent—no longer the boy you once were.

You will become a man.

NS was introduced in 1967, just 2 years after Singapore’s independence to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.

With a population of 4.4 million and a land of 699 square km, Singapore is amongst the 20 smallest countries in the world. Singapore is too small to change the world. Instead, we must adapt as the world changes around us.

We must be able to defend Singapore ourselves. No one else is responsible for our security and we cannot depend on others to come to our defence.

Our defence is predicated on deterrence. That is why we invest heavily and consistently in building up a strong defence force to provide that deterrence.

At the same time, we seek to be friends with as many countries as possible in the region and beyond. By having friends who can help us in our times of need, we enhance our security.

NS is our only viable option to building up a credible defence force to ensure our survival. A conscription force by law which obliges all eligible people to enlist would create a sizeable standing force ready to guarantee our security.

The SAF maintains itself in a high state of operational readiness at all times so that it is able to react swiftly to any threat.

To meet the defence challenges in the 21st century, the SAF is upgrading and transforming itself into a highly sophisticated, well-integrated fighting force.

The Third Generation SAF will be a network-centric organisation. Our forces will be interconnected, equipped with electronic information systems, and be able to fight cooperatively, and in an integrated manner, on land, in the air and on the sea.

Within the nation itself, the SPF upholds the law and maintains order, keeping the streets safe for family and friends.

And in case of any crisis or emergency, such as a major accident or a terrorist attack, the SCDF will be there to rescue and save the lives of fellow citizens.

All together, the SAF, SPF and SCDF play a key role in Singapore’s Total Defence—Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence.

NS is a crucial phase in your son’s life. He will be moving from a cosy home environment to one that requires him to be independent, disciplined and fit.

These are big changes for your son and you can do your part by supporting him during NS. The support and encouragement that you provide will help make his transition from a boy to man an easy and enjoyable one.

Here are a few simple things you can do as a parent:

eac SG

As DEFENCE policymakers here consider roping in more female volunteers, Singapore is looking at its European counterparts to learn how they get women to do their part for defence.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen is leading a delegation on a visit to Finland and Switzerland to study their conscription system.

On the team are senior Defence Ministry officials and members of the high-level Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS), including Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman and MP for Nee Soon GRC Lim Wee Kiak.

On his visit to Finland which began on Wednesday, Dr Ng called on his counterpart, Mr Carl Haglund and other top-level defence officials, including the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen.

Mindef said in a statement yesterday that the delegation was briefed on Finland's defence policy and conscription system, including the Finnish voluntary military service for women.

Since the volunteer scheme started in 1995, about 400 Finnish women are drafted each year. A 2012 survey showed more than 70 per cent of Finns support compulsory national service. During its visit to the Finnish Armoured Brigade, the delegation saw how soldiers were trained and was briefed on how the military matched their aptitudes and preferences to their vocations.

The visit is part of efforts by the CSNS to canvass feedback on its area of concern. Proposals will be submitted to the Government early next year.

Dr Ng said it was useful to learn from Finland's experience, as it, like Singapore, "guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past". "Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose."

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen led a delegation comprising members from the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) on a visit to Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 to study its conscription system. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.

During the visit, Dr Ng met with Finnish Minister of Defence Carl Haglund, State Secretary to the Minister of Defence Marcus Rantala, Permanent Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General Arto Räty, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces General Ari Puheloinen, and Chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Defence Committee Jussi Niinistö. Dr Ng's visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Finland.

The delegation was briefed on Finland's security and defence policy, and its conscription system. The delegation noted that public support for conscription in Finland is high. In a survey conducted in 2012, more than 70% of the public supported the conscription system. The delegation also learnt more about the voluntary military service available to women since 1995. Each year, about 400 Finnish women are accepted as volunteer military conscripts.

The delegation visited the Finnish Armoured Brigade in Parolannummi to learn more about basic, vocational and leadership training for military conscripts. The delegation was also briefed on how conscripts' aptitudes and preferences are taken into consideration for deployment. During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to interact with conscripts and witnessed their rigorous training.

At the end of the visit, Dr Ng highlighted that "even though Singapore's security and domestic landscape is different from Finland, it is useful to study the conscription system of Finland and learn from their experiences. Like Singapore, Finland guards its independence and sovereignty fiercely, having been colonised and occupied in its past. Even after nearly a century, it has still kept its commitment to conscription for this primary purpose. It has been a meaningful trip for the CSNS delegation as we consider how to build on the strong public support for National Service in Singapore by expanding opportunities for the broader community to contribute to national defence, and optimise the contributions of national servicemen."

The visit is part of the CSNS' effort to study best practices in other countries as it examines measures to strengthen NS in Singapore. The delegation is currently in Switzerland studying its conscription system.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who led a CSNS delegation to study conscription systems, was in Finland from 16 to 17 October 2013 and in Switzerland from 17 to 18 October 2013. The delegation included Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Lim Wee Kiak.

While in Switzerland, Dr Ng was hosted by and met President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Ueli Maurer. He also met Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces Lieutenant General (LG) André Blattmann and Commander of the Swiss Air Force LG Aldo Schellenberg. The visit underscores the friendly defence relations between Singapore and Switzerland.

The delegation was briefed on the Swiss conscription system. It was noted that Switzerland has enjoyed peace for more than two hundred years and there continues to be strong public support for conscription. The delegation also learnt how the Swiss Armed Forces strengthens employers' support for conscription through various engagement activities, which allow the employers to better appreciate how military training develops the individual and brings value to their companies.

The delegation visited Payerne Air Base and was briefed on how conscripts support the operations of the air base. The delegation also interacted with Swiss reservists on their annual refresher training and learnt how they maintained their military skills and technical competencies.

Speaking at the end of the trip, Dr Ng said, "The Swiss take great pride in their conscription system which has maintained their neutrality and independence and receives strong support through the generations. The Swiss Armed Forces has an efficient conscript training system which takes into consideration conscripts' abilities, motivation and aptitude during the assignment of military vocations. Women can also volunteer for conscription. The CSNS will review the lessons learnt and consider ways to optimise the contributions of our servicemen."

eac SG

Back in 1967, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's pitch to the nation for conscription was: "It will take many years - perhaps five, perhaps seven, perhaps 10 years - before we can get the whole machine into gear. But in the end, every boy and girl here will understand that what he or she has in Singapore, he or she must be prepared to fight and defend. Otherwise, it will be lost."

It seems that the country's first defence minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, was prescient when, in asking Parliament to pass the National Service Bill in 1967, he said: "Nothing creates loyalty and national consciousness more speedily and more thoroughly than participation in defence and membership of the armed forces."

Though Singapore only gained her current version of armed forces in 1967, the history of her defence started long before then. Under colonial rule that started in 1819, Singapore relied on British forces to protect her from all threats. A turning point occurred in 1854 with the creation of the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps (SVRC), a volunteer organisation to maintain internal security.

In 1888, the SVRC became the Singapore Volunteer Artillery (SVA), and its success prompted formation of other volunteer corps. In 1901, these were all consolidated into the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC). In 1922, the SVC was renamed the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) to include volunteer forces from Malacca and Penang.

In December 1941, the Japanese campaign into South East Asia had begun. The British commanders had thought that Singapore was an "impregnable fortress", but troops stationed here were inexperienced compared to the Japanese forces.. On 10 Dec 1941, disaster struck when two British battleships, Repulse and Prince of Wales, were sunk by Japanese planes. On 8 February, the Japanese crossed the narrow Straits of Johore into Kranji and Sarimbun, beginning their invasion of Singapore. For the next seven days, the British put up stiff resistance but were no match for the Japanese. Volunteer forces also fought alongside regular forces in the Battles of Bukit Timah and Pasir Panjang to fend off the Japanese. Despite all their efforts, on 15th February 1942, Singapore was surrendered.

During the Japanese occupation, the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) and local forces were indispensable to the war effort. SSVF corpswoman Elizabeth Choy was detained and interrogated by the Kempeitai alongside other locals following the Double Tenth Massacre. Men and women such as Lim Bo Seng joined special operations forces, gathered intelligence and fought where they could. The Chinese in Singapore's volunteer armies were targeted during the Sook Ching Massacre, or sent with other prisoners of war to build the Death Railway.

In May 1945, the war in Europe ended with Germany's surrender. Soon after, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945 respectively signalled the end of Japan's war efforts. On 15 August 1945, the Japanese invaders in Singapore laid down their arms and the Japanese occupation was over.

The perceived failure of the British to defend Singapore against the Japanese during WWII caused Singaporeans to desire greater autonomy from the British and precipitated the formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF), which had been dissolved, was reinstated in 1949 as the SVC to keep peace domestically.

The year 1957 saw the establishment of the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR). 2 SIR joined 1 SIR in 1962. Their first real test came in 1963 in the form of Konfrantasi. 1 SIR, 2 SIR, the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) and the Vigilante Corps (VC) were all deployed to protect strategically important sites. The VC found incredible support from citizens, with 91.4% of eligible men volunteering.

On 9 August 1965, after more than 100 years of British colonial rule and two tumultuous years under the Malaysian Federation, Singapore was declared a sovereign and independent nation. It was a time of great uncertainty as the leaders were faced with the enormous task of charting the path of our national destiny. Nevertheless, Singapore was determined to not only survive on its own but to succeed.

An urgent priority after independence was to build up Singapore's own defence capability. Singapore then had only two infantry battalions of 50 officers and some 1,000 men and two ships. There was no airforce. Singapore's armed forces had to be created virtually from scratch.

In August 1965, the Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID) was established with Dr. Goh Keng Swee as its first Minister. The key priority then was to build up the Army into a credible force as soon as possible. With its small population and the need to channel resources to economic development, it was decided that Singapore's defence would be based on citizen armed forces. However, there was no military tradition in Singapore. The bulk of the population had traditionally held military service in low esteem. An intense educational effort was required to overcome such attitudes. Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and community leaders volunteered to serve in the People's Defence Force. In this way, they set an example and drove home the message that it was the responsibility of every citizen to defend their nation.

National Service started two years later in 1967. The NS (Amendment) Bill, 1967 was first read in Parliament on 27 Feb 1967. After a spirited debate in Parliament, the Act was finally passed on 14 Mar 1967.

The passing of the NS (Amendment) Act in mid-Mar 1967 was a turning point in the lives of Singaporean males. Between 28 Mar and 18 Apr 1967, registration began in earnest at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) and its district offices in Katong, Serangoon and Bukit Panjang. Pink reminder cards were sent by post to the first batch of citizens who were born between 1 Jan 1949 and 30 Jun 1949 - some 9,000 of them. This marked the beginning of the citizen army and also the start of NS as a way of life for the male citizens of Singapore.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) began as the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF) in 1966 with just three ships, RSS Panglima, RSS Bedok and RSS Singapura. RSS Singapura, moored at Telok Ayer Basin, served as the SNVF's first headquarters. Thus, the newly formed naval force had only two seaworthy ships to form its sea defences.

What the SNVF lacked in resources was made up for in determination and hard work. Though a small force to begin with, the SNVF underwent a period of rapid growth and development. It had started off with former members of the Royal Malaysian Navy, who were mobilised to form the nucleus of the fledgling force. The following year saw the SNVF boost its numbers to 89 mobilised personnel and 278 volunteer officers and men. Some were women from the Singapore Women's Auxiliary Naval Service (or SWANS), which had been formed in 1957. On 5 May 1967, the Singapore Naval White Ensign was hoisted with pride, signalling that Singapore finally had a navy to call its own. There was no looking back from then on, as it embarked on a gradual upgrading of its equipment, personnel and facilities. From the two ships in 1966, it subsequently grew into a modern force, and officially was renamed the “Republic of Singapore Navy” in April 1975.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force also has very modest beginnings. In 1968, the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was formed. It started with eight Cessna 172-H aircraft to train its pilots, and by 1970 Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft had been added to the fleet. When the British forces were withdrawn in 1971, Tengah, Seletar, Sembawang and Changi airbases were entrusted to the SADC. SADC became the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975.

The Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID) initially oversaw both internal and external defence, but as the defence structure grew and the work became more defined, it separated into two specialised ministries. Thus, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were formed in 1970.

When the SAF first started in the 1960s, the most urgent focus for what we now call the 1st Generation SAF was to provide for Singapore's basic defence. The 2nd Generation SAF, from the early 80s to late 90s, saw the upgrading and modernising of our Army, Navy and Air Force. Post-9/11, there was a shift in the security landscape, which widened to include non-conventional threats such as terrorism and piracy.

Resource constraints and the emergence of advanced warfighting technologies also drove the SAF to rethink our development trajectory. To meet new security challenges effectively, the SAF embarked on a 3rd Generation transformation journey in 2004 and continues today to upgrade its capabilities into an advanced networked force.

eac SG

Total Defence (or TD) is the name of Singapore's comprehensive defence strategy, adapted from countries like Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria.

It is based on the understanding that besides military action, aggressors can also defeat the country by wrecking its economic systems, tearing its social fabric apart, targeting Singaporeans' beliefs and commitment to defence, and its ability to recover from disasters, both natural and man-made.

The Total Defence concept encompasses five key aspects – military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence – and focuses on the need for each Singaporean to play his or her part to defend the nation. These five aspects are very similar to the "4 Defences" of the Austrian "Comprehensive National Defense" (Umfassende Landesverteidigung) strategy of 1975.

"Military Defence" consists of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), including its citizen soldiers.^[1] Their mission is to "enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor". As part of the mission, the SAF strives to maintain a high state of operational readiness 24/7.

"Civil Defence" is about ensuring Singaporeans know what to do in times of an emergency. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) supports this aspect of Total Defence. However, if Singapore encounters a nation-wide emergency (e.g.: terrorism act or war), the SCDF will not be able to cope with the demands of the situation. Hence, it is crucial to rope in Singaporeans to help their fellow Singaporeans. To facilitate this, the SCDF recruits and trains civil defence volunteers in first aid, rescue and evacuation procedures, and shelter management.

"Economic Defence" is defined as maintaining the economy of the country and its ability to compete in the world, as well as environmental protection.^[1] It also involves helping Singapore (and Singaporeans) stay relevant in the global economy and putting in place economic systems to ensure that the Singapore economy does not collapse in times of crisis.

"Social Defence" is about keeping the social fabric strong and ensuring that Singaporeans live in harmony regardless of race or religion.^[1] This is especially important because Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

"Psychological Defence" is about loyalty, commitment to Singapore, and having the will power and resilience to overcome challenges.^[1] This is the component that would determine if Singaporeans will stay to fight or abandon the country when it is in trouble.

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www.totaldefence.sg

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After over 40 years, National Service is now woven tightly into the fabric of our nation. As we look to the future, to maintain if not strengthen this commitment to NS, we asked Singaporeans for their views and ideas.

From May to August 2013, over 10,000 participants responded with their feedback and suggestions on NS to the website (www.strengthenNS.sg), through emails or attended focus group discussions. They came from different walks of life and included operationally-ready national servicemen, full-time national servicemen, regular servicemen, parents, women, grassroots volunteers, employers, students and members of the public.

In this section, we sum up their conversations which affirm that NS is necessary and critical to Singapore’s security and prosperity. We want to thank all participants for the many lively discussions on their NS experience, the practical suggestions on what could be improved, and good ideas on what should be strengthened so that NS remains meaningful for the future generation.

Four broad themes covering a range of insights and perspectives have emerged:

“NS is a common language amongst Singaporeans. It fosters national identity and pride. Regardless of background or social group, it brings people together. It is a social glue.”

“NS is one of the key reasons why Singaporeans enjoy peace and prosperity today. Forgetting this is dangerous and could undermine our future.”

NS strengthens national identity and social cohesion. The shared experiences and friendships forged during NS have become an integral part of our personal ties that form communities and unite us as a people. Reinforcing the purpose of NS will inspire national servicemen to give of their best when performing their duties. There were also suggestions to encourage more people in the community, including women and new citizens to play a part in national defence.

“Everyone must see the significance of NS and cultivate a natural inclination to preserve what we have as a nation.”

“There are women and new citizens who may want to volunteer for national defence. This will enable them to better empathize with our NSmen and develop a stronger sense of national identity.”

“NS was tough but it has made me more resilient, mature and responsible. The experience has taught me to cope with challenging situations and value teamwork.”

“I would like to contribute more during NS. There could be avenues for us to express our preference of vocations, based on our skills and abilities.”

NS builds up personal character and resilience. National servicemen value the opportunities for personal growth and the life skills developed during NS. Many would like to take on bigger roles in NS to contribute more to safeguard our defence and security. While NS is a national duty, more can be done to help national servicemen manage their other commitments to family, education and work.

“I believe in the importance of NS. However, I feel that I may lag behind in studies and employment after serving NS.”

“During in-camp training, while my wife has to work extra hard to look after our home and family, she understands that what I do keeps them safe.”

“We should encourage more public support for our national servicemen and demonstrate appreciation for their contributions to our country.”

“There should be better societal perception of NS. I have witnessed in other countries how they respect their soldiers. It makes a difference.”

While national servicemen carry out their duties without expecting something in return, greater community support and societal appreciation will motivate them to serve with honour and pride. We should consider more ways to recognise their contributions but not erode the significance of NS as a national duty.

“NS is a duty that we perform proudly without expecting anything in return. I am confident that the next generation will serve with pride and conviction.”

“The current recognition measures for NSmen are good, and more can be done in that direction to show appreciation for our service.”

“We should think of improving the efficiency of NS administration, and invest in technology to enhance the NS experience.”

“I am heartened that the SAF has taken great effort to introduce safety measures to ensure that risks are minimised during training.”

We can always find better ways to make NS more efficient and effective. We need to use technology that can multiply our efforts in view of Singapore’s scarce manpower resource. We must also ensure that national servicemen train safely in a realistic environment. Good leadership and effective communication are essential to keep national servicemen motivated and engaged. This will strengthen unit cohesion and resilience.

“With a better educated society, there needs to be better communication to engage national servicemen.”

“I remember that my commanders were inspiring and well-respected. They became like my big brothers and we worked well as a team.”

These four themes will guide the next phase of public consultation in 2013, where we will discuss more specific ideas and initiatives.

In the last few months, we held a first phase of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) where different people came together to share their experiences with NS, the strengths of NS and areas to be strengthened, as well as their aspirations for NS. We thank our participants for taking the time to share their ideas and experiences.

For Phase 2 of the FGDs, more specific discussions were carried out on these following topics.

The contributions of our National Servicemen ensure the peace and stability which Singapore has enjoyed. We have heard calls for greater recognition, and more importantly, appreciation and respect for our National Servicemen from the community. What else can we do for our NSFs and NSmen? In this topic, let’s come together to discuss what are the ways different segments of the broader community, such as our family members, employers, the government, and members of the public can better recognise and show their appreciation for the contributions of our NSmen.

We have heard many of you highlight the challenges faced in juggling NS duties with other commitments. Juggling In-Camp Training and IPPT can be challenging. Some have also shared their worries about falling behind in terms of education and when they eventually enter the workforce. In this topic, share with us what you think are the ways in which we can help address these challenges and competing demands that our National Servicemen face.

NS is a national institution based on critical need, and our National Servicemen play an important part in national defence by serving NS. Beyond our National Servicemen, can the broader community, such as women, play their part in contributing to defence? How can they offer their expertise, knowledge and skills? Should volunteering in the SAF be an option?

Every National Serviceman has an important role to play in Singapore’s defence and wants to have a meaningful NS experience. Some servicemen want to do more and increase their contributions to NS. How can we better meet our servicemen’s personal aspirations through their deployment, while ensuring operational needs are met? In this topic, we will come together to discuss ways we can strike this balance.

Registration for Phase 2 of the Focus Group Discussions has ended. We thank you for your interest! The summaries of the sessions can be found here.

If you were unable to join any of the sessions, we welcome you to share your views at our online feedback form.

eac SG

National Service (NS) is the cornerstone of Singapore's defence. Our National Servicemen are the backbone of Singapore's defence. With our small population, NS is the only way for Singapore to maintain a strong and credible defence force to protect our independence and sovereignty.

NS is a rite of passage, a national effort and a shared responsibility. The commitment of our National Servicemen to defence is not possible without the strong support from their families, friends and employers.

The NS Journey

Our National Servicemen serve in a variety of operational roles in the SAF, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The NS journey comprises 2 years of full-time NS and 10 years of Operationally Ready NS (ORNS). This is the time needed to train our Servicemen so that they are proficient in military skills and are operationally ready, both as individuals and as part of a cohesive fighting unit.

Understanding our National Servicemen

As far as possible, we try to help our Servicemen balance their personal plans and persuits - in education, career and family, with their NS commitments, without compromising training and operational readiness.

For example, with improvements to technology and training methods, the SAF has been able to reduce the duration of full-time NS from 2 1/2 years to 2 years (2004) without sacrificing training standards. Similarly, in 2006, we reduced the duration of Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) from 13 years to 10 years.

For In-Camp Trainings (ICTs), while we cannot accede to every request for deferment, commanders do try to exercise flexibility to help NSmen meet their civilian obligations without sacrificing the training of the unit.

Going beyond the call of duty

Many National Servicemen have gone beyond the call of duty because of their strong belief and commitment to National Defence and their fellow National Servicemen. For example, a number have volunteered under the Voluntary Extension of Service (VES) scheme to extend their full-time NS to serve their unit beyond the 2 years. Under the Reservist On Voluntary Extended Reserve Service (ROVERS) scheme, NSmen have volunteered for ICTs beyond their 10-year training cycle.

Recognising our National Servicemen

What our National Serviceman does is vital to the peace and prosperity we enjoy as Singaporeans. A price cannot be put to their contributions.

But to show our appreciation, we have instituted several measures to let them know that we recognise the personal sacrifices they have made for all of us.

eac SG

We want to engage Singaporeans on NS and many Singaporeans have already been thinking about ways to strengthen NS.

In this section, we've gathered some extracts of forum letters and blogposts by Singaporeans on what they feel about National Service, as well as their ideas and suggestions on how to help recognise and support our National Servicemen.

eac SG

From 12 July to 15 September 2013, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) conducted an independent study on Singaporeans' views on National Service commissioned by the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS).

Over 1,200 Singapore citizens from a variety of backgrounds, such as age, race, gender and employment, were surveyed. The full results of IPS' study on "Singaporeans' attitudes to NS" can be found at the IPS website. The key survey findings are highlighted as follows:

There is strong support for NS from Singaporeans with 98% of respondents acknowledging that NS is crucial for national defence, which in turn secures Singapore's peace and prosperity. Singaporeans found NS important for instilling discipline, values, as well as transforming boys to men. In addition, Singaporeans found that NS was important for nation building and fostering a unique Singaporean identity.

More than half of Singaporeans were open to women and 1^st Generation Permanent Residents (PRs) contributing to defence in a volunteer role.

About 4 out of 5 NSmen agreed that employers were supportive of their NS commitments, and were willing to adjust their employees’ work load taking into account their NS commitments, while 2 out of 5 NSmen perceived that their employers preferred to hire people without NS commitments.

Singaporeans remain confident that training is conducted safely.

We are encouraged that Singaporeans are supportive of NS and feel the need to strengthen the support for NS for future generations. These views complement the views expressed in the public feedback and CSNS Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

We encourage all Singaporeans to continue contributing your feedback and suggestions on strengthening NS at www.StrengthenNS.sg.

For further queries on the IPS survey, please approach IPS at http://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/research/surveys.

*First generation PRs who are granted PR status under the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) Scheme or the Investor Scheme are administratively exempted from NS.

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