Ministry updates on NS committee proposals

SINGAPORE — The number of regular trainers at the Basic Military Training Centre will be doubled from the middle of this year, while the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteer Corps is expecting an intake of 100 to 150 in its first year, with training for the first intake starting this month.

From September, those serving full-time National Service (NS) will also get an advance of an additional S$6,000 of Medisave grant to help cover their MediShield Life premiums.

These updates on some of the Committee to Strengthen National Service’s accepted proposals were given during the Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) Committee of Supply debate yesterday.

Details of six of the 18 ground-up proposals by a panel to strengthen support among various groups for NS were also shared with the House.

For employers, one recommendation by the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) said giving bosses earlier notice of their employees’ in-camp training call-ups will allow them to better plan ahead.

In terms of education, ACCORD proposed a review of existing programmes at some universities to help NSmen transit back to school, so as to better meet the learning needs of these NSmen.

To reach out to women in the community, the panel proposed having MINDEF or the SAF partner the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and the People’s Association’s Women Integration Network in conducting sessions for mothers to share their experiences of supporting their children through NS. The proposal also includes conducting engagement sessions with wives of NSmen and young women.

ACCORD also proposes collaboration with the People’s Association and SAFRA to garner community and local businesses’ support, such as through offering privileges for the use of facilities at community centres to servicemen and women.