http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2009/may/14may09_nr/14may09_fs2.html
As the backbone of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the SAF
Warrant Officers and Specialists play key roles as trainers and
repositories of the values, skills and knowledge necessary for
maintaining a credible and professional SAF. The changes in the
Warrant Officers’ scheme are to meet the requirements of the 3rd
Generation SAF, and will provide strong leadership to the rank and
file.
The roles and responsibilities of the Warrant Officers as combat
trainers have been expanded. They will assume appointments as
Warrant Officer Chief Trainers and Heads of Training Wing. At the
battalion level, for example, the Battalion Regimental Sergeant
Major will take on the role of Chief Trainer for the Battalion in
weapons and small unit training.
The Specialist and Warrant Officer Corps will be repositioned as
the Warrant Officer Corps and a new
3rd Warrant Officer rank will be introduced.
This will facilitate the smooth transition from Specialist to
Warrant Officer and allow for a faster progression through the
ranks. With the new 3rd Warrant Officer rank,
high-performing Specialists can attain their Warrant Officership as
early as the end of their 6th year in service.
Under the enhanced scheme, Specialists can now embark on their
degree studies as early as the end of their second year of service.
This will help meet the aspirations of servicemen who wish to
upgrade themselves professionally and
academically.
These changes will be made through the existing Premium plan, which
allows the Warrant Officers to serve up till age 55.