ORD: Strengthen NS by Re-Enlist for NS Part 2! Go Go NSman!

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Central Manpower Base (CMPB)
3 Depot Road Singapore 109680

Operating hours : Mondays to Fridays 0900 hours to 1700 hours
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

How?

Call the 24/7 NS hotline at 1800-3676767 to ask a customer service officer?

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At the Committee of Supply Debates on 12 Mar 2013, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen announced that he would chair a Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS). In order to capture a a broad spectrum of views and perspectives on NS, the CSNS comprises a Steering Committee of 20 members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

The CSNS will recommend measures to strengthen NS as the critical institution for Singapore’s continued survival and success. A strong defence and security protects our sovereignty and way of life. The measures should further:

a. Motivate National Servicemen to give of their fullest in performing their duties;

b. Help National Serviceman balance these duties with family, career and personal commitments;

c. Strengthen support for NS from families, employers, schools, permanent residents, new citizens and the broader community; and

d. Promote recognition and appreciation of the contributions of National Servicemen.

The Steering Committee (SC) will be supported by two Working Groups (WGs), with Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing chairing one, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Dr Maliki Osman, the other.

The "Support for NS" Work Group will explore how to better allow National Servicemen to maximise their contributions and abilities to serve NS. The WG will look at how servicemen can be deployed in a more meaningful way, and how to help them fulfill their duties while balancing commitments and aspirations. The WG will also look into strengthen support from various groups, such as families, employers, permanent residents and new citizens.

The "Recognition and Benefits for National Service" Work Group will explore ways to promote the recognition and appreciation of National Servicemen's contributions.

Over the next 6 months, the Steering Committee and WGs will engage Singaporeans through conversations on NS via focus groups, town hall sessions and this website. Committee members will also be participating in these activities, and surfacing the views of National Servicemen and other stakeholders on how NS can be strengthened.

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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.