FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON FULL-TIME NATIONAL SERVICE
DURATION
Q1. What are the factors that have prompted MINDEF to reduce
full-time National Service duration now?
The reduction is possible now because of a confluence of two
factors.
The key driver is the transformation of the SAF over the next
decade into a 3rd Generation SAF, a force that makes greater use of
superior technology in areas such as comprehensive surveillance,
battle-field awareness, precision strike and network-centric
warfare. The 3G SAF will rely less on large numbers of soldiers,
and more on the higher education levels and capability of our NS
soldiers.
The transformation has already begun to bear fruit. A good example
of this is the Apache Longbow helicopter. These helicopters come
equipped with radar, guided missiles and data links between
helicopters, which will increase their lethality.
The second factor is a 15% to 20% increase in annual intake of
full-time National Servicemen over the next ten years starting from
2006. This surge in NS intake will allow us to maintain our
operational readiness and standing force requirements even as we
move to a 24-month full-time NS system and carry out the
transformation towards the leaner 3G SAF of the future.
The SAF's training and operational standards will be maintained
even with the 6 month reduction. Over the years, the SAF has
significantly improved its training effectiveness through the
introduction of new systems and technologies. The use of
simulators, wargaming systems and Computer Aided Instruction has
enhanced training effectiveness while saving time.
Q2. When will the revised 24-month full-time National Service
duration be implemented?
The revised full-time National Service duration will be implemented
for all servicemen enlisted from December 2004 onwards.
Q3. Will in-service full-time National Servicemen currently serving
2½ years also be eligible for a reduction in service
duration?
Full-time National Servicemen who are currently serving their 2½
years of service will get up to a 2-month reduction in service
duration. However, the earliest date that the ORD can be brought
forward to will be 30 June 2004, to allow time for administrative
out-processing arrangements.
Those who are enlisted between June and November this year for 2½
years of full-time NS will get a 4-month reduction in full-time NS
duration.
Full-time National Servicemen returning from disruption to serve
out the balance of their 2½ years of full-time NS will also be
given a corresponding cut in their full-time NS duration based on
the cohort in which they were enlisted.
The current 8-week reduction in full-time NS duration given to
National Servicemen who have attained at least a Silver in the
National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test prior to enlistment
will remain.
Q4. Will the revised full-time National Service duration apply to
servicemen in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and
Singapore Police Force (SPF)?
Yes, the Ministry of Home Affairs will be implementing the
corresponding changes for full-time National Servicemen currently
serving in or who will be enlisted into the Singapore Police Force
and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Q5. Only those who are required to serve 2½ years of full-time
National Service duration benefit from the 6-month cut. Why is a
reduction not possible for those who are required to serve 2 years
of full-time National Service?
The length of full-time National Service is determined by how long
it takes to train our soldiers and commanders to be operationally
proficient in their duties, and how large a standing force we need
to meet our defence and contingency needs during peacetime. Our
units require a national service duration of 24 months to allow for
up to 12 months of training and at least another 12 months for the
unit to be deployed for operational duties. A reduction will result
in a drop in the size of our standing force and adversely affect
the ability of the SAF to meet operational requirements.
Q6. Will the intake schedules of our local universities be adjusted
to minimise the waiting time to enter university now that the
duration of NS has been reduced by 6 months?
MINDEF will be working with our local universities to better align
the university intake patterns from 2007 when the first batch of
full-time National Servicemen under the new full-time NS duration
completes their service.
