The stipulated retirement age for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) military officers is 50 years old, and 55 years old for most warrant officers and specialists. In view of their shorter careers with the SAF, MINDEF's Career Transition Resource Centre (CTRC) supports all such personnel with their transition to a second career upon their retirement from the SAF.^[1]

Established in 2009, CTRC aims to be a bridge between retiring military personnel and the corporate world. Over the years, CTRC has expanded its support to include dedicated career coaching by certified in-house career advisors (CAs), job referrals and networking events. Supported personnel are also provided funds and time-off to attend courses and seminars, go for job interviews, and embark on internships that can serve as a springboard into their sector of interest. These programmes have successfully assisted most personnel in their transitions.

CTRC administers the following career transition provisions:

a. Career Advisory Services. CTRC's certified CAs understand the MINDEF/SAF context and are well-placed to help and advise service personnel on their transition into the corporate world. CAs help service personnel in the following key ways:

1. 1. 1. Discuss second-career goals, identify transferable skills and career preferences

      2. Provide career resources

      3. Review and fine-tune resume

      4. Prepare for job interviews

b. Career Transition Preparatory Workshops. CTRC provides a range of customised, in-house career transition preparatory workshops. Topics covered include identifying career preferences, resume writing, interview techniques, aspects of networking, financial planning and more.

c. Industry Talks/Events and On-Site Visits. CTRC organises talks and visits to help service personnel enrich their understanding of the various industries and build networks.

d. Lifelong Employability & Advancement Programme (LEAP). Under LEAP, retiring personnel are provided funds and time-off to attend courses and seminars to attain industry-recognised certifications, go for job interviews and embark on internships that can serve as a springboard into their sector of interest.

e. Tie-ups with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Professional Certification Bodies. CTRC works together with IHLs and professional certification bodies to help our service personnel re-skill, up-skill and/or attain industry-recognised certifications, so that they are more marketable.

f. Tie-ups with Industries. CTRC reaches out to employers to help them better understand and recognise the value of service personnel's training, skills and competencies.

g. Career Facilitation Services. CTRC links service personnel with job opportunities from employers who approach CTRC to meet their hiring needs.

4. Service personnel can start tapping on these career transition provisions from five years prior to their retirement date. They can also reach out to their CAs at any time during these five years. In addition, CTRC sends periodic updates to service personnel on the latest industry developments, "Career Transition Tips" and other resources via email.

^[1] As for military experts who can work till 60 years old with the SAF, the focus is on strengthening their continuous expertise development and lifelong employability so that they can contribute their expertise, which are relevant to other jobs outside of the SAF.