S$100 vouchers among gifts for NSmen to mark 50 years of National Service

SINGAPORE — To recognise and thank the more than one million men who have enlisted for National Service (NS) since it started in 1967, all past and present national servicemen — across the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) — will be given S$100 vouchers for use at selected retail and F&B outlets.

NSmen who are currently serving or have completed their operationally ready national service will get an additional gift of one year’s membership at either Safra or HomeTeamNS, depending on their service.

The gifts are a part of the year-long NS50 campaign, themed From My Generation to Yours to highlight the importance of Singaporeans’ continued support of NS by passing the duty from one generation to the next.

The line-up of activities throughout the year include an experiential exhibition on the 50-year evolution of NS, to be held from May 24 to 29 at the F1 Pit Building. Part of the showcase will be making its way into the heartlands in June. 

An NS50 Week, to be held from Aug 1 to 10, will feature a series of community engagement events, such as an NS50-themed picnic. An NS50 dinner reception will be held in the second half of the year. More details will be announced closer to the date.

Speaking at the launch of the NS50 campaign on Tuesday (Feb 7) at the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong, held in tandem with the enlistment ceremony of 100 recruits, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said this recognition package was “a small token to thank every national serviceman for their role in defending Singapore”.

The vouchers — which apply to all those who have completed NS, those serving as of Jan 1 this year, and those who enlist in the 2017 batch — will be mailed to past and present servicemen. Full details, including the registration process and the list of participating merchants, will be made available by June.

Tuesday's launch of NS50 was also attended by 98 NS pioneers from the first batch of enlistees in 1967, as well as their trainers.

One of them was retired school principal Law Chor Hoo, who noted the shift in mindset towards NS since his time. Admitting that “back then, when we enlisted, we really did not know what to expect”, Mr Law said young men now “accept it as part and parcel of life’s journey”.

Commenting that it was a “meaningful” experience for him, Mr Law said NS had taught him the importance of discipline and teamwork.

For a number of the pioneers, this was the first time they have seen one another since they finished their NS stint, and they had hoped there would be more occasions for them to gather.

Commenting on the recognition package, Sergeant Prajwal Srikanth, currently serving NS in the SCDF, said: “Even though it is a small token, it is nice to receive some kind of recognition for our service. The fact that we are being recognised (by the higher-ups) as an NSF, I think it means a lot.” 

The permanent resident is the first in his family to serve NS.

For 72-year-old retiree Soo Seng Guan, the precious thing about NS50 was not the vouchers or the memberships. “It is being able to see all the men you served NS with again, the camaraderie — that’s very priceless, and nothing can replace it,” he said. 

More information on NS50 celebration and activities are on the NS50 website at NS50.sg.