If never called back, they're still posted on to MINDEF
reserve
Oops, that should be "posted on to MINDEF holding list". Only
those on the nominal rolls of reservist units would go on Army
Operational Reserve together, after finishing their cycle.
BTW The SAF can sometimes delay the latter too, if an NSF unit
hasn't ORDed yet to take over yours in the overall ORBAT. It
happened with my unit, after our stand-down parade &
long-service awards/certificates of appreciation. We had to spent
an extra year on Operational Extended Holding: no ICT, IPPT or mob
manning but liable for any real-ops call-up.
I know we all like to call the conscript part of military service
as "NS." But National Service Liability, as promulgated under the
Enlistment Act, actually ends only when you turn 40 or 50
(depending on your rank status). Hence at 22 or 32 years
respectively, it's actually one of the longest service tenures in
the world. What I can confirm it'll actually end on your birthday
at those older ages. So, mathematically speaking, it'll be 9
months' more NS liability for those 18-year-olds who'd enlisted in
March vs. those in the December batch.
Hence, whether you do reservist or not, there's a bureaucratic
record of your status in the military (until you're formally
discharged). If you have a reserve service booklet, your PES status
is noted inside too. The medical classification stays with you
unless you kena "boarded" (upgrade or downgrade).