SINGAPORE — Enhanced monetary benefits to recognise national servicemen — part of the recommendations of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) that were accepted by the Government last month — will be disbursed from September.

The NS HOME (Housing, Medical and Education) Award will see national servicemen getting S$6,000 more in Medisave grants, on top of the S$9,000 or S$10,500 — depending on rank — they each currently stand to receive in their Post-Secondary Education and various Central Provident Fund accounts.

The disbursements will be split equally into three stages: When one completes full-time national service (NS), is halfway through his operationally-ready training cycle and when he completes the cycle. Yesterday, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced the eligibility criteria for the awards.

For full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), they have to be enlisted on or after Dec 1, 2011, and have completed their NS on or after Dec 1 last year.

Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) have to complete or reach the mid-point of their Operationally Ready National Service cycle after April 1 this year.

The NS HOME Award is enhanced from the previous NS Recognition Award and commanders will continue to receive S$500 more at each of the three milestones of the cycle to recognise the heavier responsibilities they shoulder.

Separately, the CSNS recommendation to ease travel restrictions for NSmen will come into effect today. Only NSmen who travel overseas for more than 14 days — up from a day previously — and less than 6 months will be required to notify MINDEF and the Home Team notification centres.

MINDEF said NSmen who are overseas for a period of six months or longer in a single trip are still required to apply for an exit permit. NSmen who are on operational manning in units will also have to seek approval from unit commanders before travelling overseas.

XUE JIANYUE