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Increase in allowance for national servicemen from April
Posted: 06 March 2012 1236 hrs
SINGAPORE: From April, the allowance for all servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force will be increased by S$60 across all ranks.
The allowance was last reviewed in 2009, when it was increased by S$20.
With the latest change, a recruit will receive a monthly rank allowance of S$480, up from the current S$420.
In Parliament on Tuesday, MP Ong Teng Koon had called on the Ministry of Defence to better recognise the contributions of NS men.
Mr Ong said: "The SAF owes much of its success to the conscript of young men from the age of 18, and regular reservist call-ups, throughout their adult lives.
"However, our modern lifestyle has necessitated the need for our servicemen sacrifice a meaningful part of their adulthood often find themselves two years late to the party, when they compete for universities or on the job market globally."
After factoring in combat allowances, which can range from S$100 to S$300, a typical NSF enlistee who is a rifleman (LCP) in an Infantry Battalion will receive S$650 per month in allowances.
A typical NSF officer holding the rank of second lieutenant (2LT) will receive S$1, 150 per month.
Minister of State Lawrence Wong said the raise "goes one step further in signalling our acknowledgment of our servicemen's commitment and service", noting that the government has other recognition schemes in place.
They include the National Service Recognition Award (NSRA) to recognise national servicemen through their training cycle.
The ministry is also looking at further ways to extend professional development opportunities to regular servicemen.
For example, the Singapore Armed Forces has joined hands with Nanyang Polytechnic to introduce a Certificate in Business Management programme for Warrant Officers, Specialists and Military Experts.
This is a bridging programme that provides these officers with a foundation in the study of business management and equip them with skills such as communications, computing, basic accounting and marketing.
Upon successful completion of the certificate programme, servicemen would qualify for direct entry into the Diploma in Business Management.
In Parliament, several members of the House including Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam, asked for a review of the duration of NS.
"My main reason for advocating the shortening of NS is that since the government has welcomed such a large number of foreigners into our workforce in the past decade, Singaporean males urgently need to close the gap as to when they start their working life," said Mrs Chiam.
In 2004, the duration of conscription was cut, from two and a half years to two years.
In 2006, the duration of Operationally Ready NS - where NSmen were required to serve reservist training - was shortened from 13 years to 10 years.
These changes, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, were made in view of the transformation to a 3rd Generation armed forces, and the increasing adoption of technology.
The reduction in NS duration also corresponded with the surge in NS intake from 2006 to 2015.
But Dr Ng noted that from 2016, the cohort size will fall.
Hence, the duration of training will remain at the current periods till further review.
"Our NSmen are not the second line of defence," said Dr Ng.
"They don't go behind somebody. When there's a need, they are the first responders to protect Singapore when our survival is threatened. So in that eventuality, we have to have sufficient numbers, we need to train them, we need adequate time to train and prepare them for their role effectively."
He further added that it was people that form the fighting force.
He addressed the perception that Singaporeans seem to have to contribute more through National Service and others just reap the benefits.
Dr Ng said the government has to show its people that NS contributions are valued.
"Some of you may have not been struck by the slide that the Finance Minister, Deputy Prime Minister showed in terms of, in economic terms how much taxes for the median, or the average worker versus how much you get over a lifetime.
"And it was quite an interesting fact that if you didn't own a car you actually get more than you get. But translated to day-to-day experiences, I hope that Singaporeans recognise that all that we're doing to build this Singapore up, the various systems and social support is for Singaporeans.
"And we'll have to do more, through recognising their NS contributions to show that citizens count for more and that foreigners complement and help us build this place."
- CNA/ck