Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai
Kee identified the three major milestones that National Servicemen
must reach before they qualify for the three tranches of the
National Service Recognition Award (NSRA), on 31 Aug at the SAFRA
Jurong Clubhouse.
"The NSRA celebrates three significant milestones during a National
Serviceman's NS journey: first, when he completes full-time NS;
second, when he is midway through his Operationally Ready NS or
ORNS training cycle; and finally, when he completes his ORNS
training cycle," said Assoc Prof Koo of the award.
First announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2010
National Day Rally on 29 Aug, the NSRA is the latest initiative by
the Government to provide sustained recognition and appreciation to
citizens who serve NS.
Assoc Prof Koo also revealed that the award for NS commanders -
servicemen who hold the rank of 3rd Sergeant and above for those
serving in the Singapore Armed Forces, and Sergeant and above for
those serving in the Home Team - would be slightly higher at
$10,500, compared to the $9,000 for the other NSmen. This is to
recognise them for their heavier responsibilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence Director Manpower, Mr Tan Kok
Yam, Full-time National Servicemen and Operationally Ready National
Servicemen must have reached the milestones on or after 29 Aug this
year to be eligible for the award.
The second milestone is pegged to the mid-point of the ORNS
training cycle and this is determined by the completion of either
three High-Key In-Camp Training (ICT) or five ICT of which two are
High-Key. In addition, as the third NSRA disbursement coincides
with the existing ORNS Completion Award of $300 which is given to
every eligible serviceman, it will replace the latter for
citizens.
The first tranche of the NSRA will be credited into the
serviceman's Post-Secondary Education Account while the other two
tranches will go into his Central Provident Fund. Servicemen will
be able to use the first disbursement to pursue further studies or
training in approved local institutions, while the the other two
disbursements can be used for housing, health-care and retirement
needs.
According to Mr Tan, the NSRA will be disbursed in three equal
amounts, with each disbursement made two months after the NSman
attains each of the milestones. The disbursements will begin from
February 2011 onwards, to allow time for the administrative changes
to take place.
I don't get it..so most of us will only be eligible for the
first tier because we didn't get called up for reservist?
cb..if i had known i would have gone for my reservist..
