Introduction

Mr Chairman, Minister for Defence Dr Ng described the dynamic nature of the security threats that we face, and highlighted the importance of building an SAF to meet these challenges. National Service (NS) is the cornerstone of Singapore's defence, and it is critical that we continue to strengthen its effectiveness.

Last year, I spoke about changes arising from the work of the NS Review Committee. We introduced measures to make the most of the contributions of national servicemen, improve the NS experience, and enhance support for and recognition of NS. I will provide an update on those initiatives, as well as announce new ones.

Maximising Contributions of National Servicemen

Given low fertility rates, declining cohort sizes and an increasingly demanding mission, the SAF must continue to optimise the contributions of every national serviceman. Mr Henry Kwek asked how we are managing this. We are doing so in two key ways.

First, by reviewing medical fitness criteria and matching these to the physical requirements of jobs, we maximise the effective deployment of full-time national servicemen (NSFs). Mr Saktiandi Supaat also asked about the assessments conducted for pre-enlistees. Psychometric assessments are conducted before enlistment. Functional assessments, which were introduced in January 2022 for pre-enlistees with selected orthopaedic conditions, assess their ability to perform the physical tasks required for the job roles. This allows for more deployment options than if one were to rely purely on medical classifications. The results have been encouraging. We were able to deploy about 200 of the 280 pre-enlistees tested since 2022 to contribute effectively in a wider range of roles.

The SAF has also continued to redesign job roles for NSFs by leveraging technology to assist with physical requirements. More NSFs are then able to take on a wider range of roles. Since 2021, the SAF has re-designed 1,800 roles in vocations such as Combat Medics, Infantry Carrier Vehicle Operators and Transport Operators. This has allowed about 700 NSFs to take on important operational roles, compared to if the roles were not redesigned.

Second, we invest in and tap on national servicemen's skills and knowledge. One example is through Work-Learn Schemes, which Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked about. With these, NSFs attain a diploma or partial university credits, while performing a period of full-time NS followed by Regular service. This allows NSFs to fulfil their academic aspirations, put their learning into practice, and contribute even better to the SAF with their enhanced skills and knowledge. Since the first Cyber Work-Learn Scheme in 2018, we have expanded to domains such as engineering, supply chain management, and artificial intelligence. We will continue to explore additional domains.

In 2023, we introduced two new schemes. One for NSFs to pursue Diplomas in Paramedic Science and be deployed as Army Medic Specialists. The other for officer or specialist cadets to serve as NSF Trainers, while gaining credits for an undergraduate degree with the Singapore University of Social Sciences. With this, we now have eight Work-Learn Schemes with about 520 NSFs enrolled since 2018.

And we are doing more. Mr Gan asked about tapping on pre-enlistees. We are partnering Singapore Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic to introduce new schemes for final-year diploma students to fulfil their internship requirements and enlist concurrently. With Singapore Polytechnic, we have launched the Polytechnic Cyber Work-Learn Scheme, and the SAF-Polytechnic Sponsorship for Integrated Curriculum Diploma, or SPS-IC Diploma, for Aerospace Electronics. With Republic Polytechnic, we have launched the SPS-IC Diploma for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and another one for Information Technology (IT).

Students taking cyber-security or aerospace electronics courses with Singapore Polytechnic, or electrical and electronic engineering or IT courses with Republic Polytechnic are eligible. Applications are already open. Those selected will serve for three to five years, through a combination of full-time NS and Regular service as Cyber Specialists, or through full Regular service as Air Force Engineers or Naval Warfare System Experts. We will expand this to other polytechnics and vocations in due course.

Our Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) may also have developed niche skills, beyond their full time NS period, in their civilian careers. Since 2014, the SAF has been identifying NSmen with relevant skills, and redeploying them to units where they can contribute their civilian expertise. Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked for an update. In 2023, we redeployed about 260 NSmen. In total, about 790 NSmen have been redeployed over the years, into roles such as C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computers) operators and legal officers. We will continue to expand our efforts, having introduced marine survey as a new domain in 2023.

Reinforcing Safety and Well-Being

Maximising the operational readiness of NS personnel goes hand in hand with ensuring their safety and well-being. This is core to the social compact.

Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Mohd Fahmi asked about training safety. We are employing technology to improve performance while enhancing safety. The SAF has successfully tested using wearables to allow trainers to monitor the physiological data of soldiers in real-time, and to calibrate fitness training accordingly. This optimises training outcomes while enhancing safety supervision and minimising injury. Since April 2023, all SAF recruits have been issued wearables, and heart rate zone-based training has been incorporated into their physical training.

We have also made good progress in developing a next-generation digital safety information system. Today, SAF units actively use the SafeGuardian app to submit near-misses and incident reports.

All of this data is stored on the Enterprise Safety Information System. Units, such as the 1st Commando Battalion, have used insights from past trends to identify potential risk factors and adjust their training programmes accordingly to mitigate musculoskeletal injuries. The Army has also used this data in a quarterly alert called PING – "Proactive Information to Nudge and Guide". It compares each quarter's training activities with the preceding work year, so that units are aware of and can prevent common safety incidents.

Beyond technology, we regularly audit and review our safety systems and processes to ensure that they remain robust. Mr Mohd Fahmi asked about this. The Inspector-General's Office commenced its third audit cycle in April 2023 covering formations across the Services. Most recently, they completed system reviews to strengthen the training and qualification system for Combat Vehicle Operators, and to enhance the safe conduct and management of inter-Service training.

The SAF also regularly benchmarks itself against external practices and standards through the work of the External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS). The 3rd ERPSS recently completed their work. They continued to find strong command emphasis on training safety across the SAF. They also noted the SAF's use of data in safety management and to prevent accidents. We appreciate the good work of the ERPSS, and their next term will commence soon. We will never let our guard down on safety.

Care for our servicemen also goes beyond ensuring their physical safety. Dr Wan Rizal and Ms He Ting Ru asked how MINDEF/SAF is looking at the mental wellness and well-being of our servicemen. MINDEF/SAF has in place efforts to promote effective self-care, strengthen coping skills, and better recognise potential mental health issues. All Regulars and NSFs also undergo psychological first aid training to help them recognise distress signs, exercise self-care, and support their peers.

We have also continued our practice of screening for mental health conditions before enlistment. Those with severe conditions that pose harm to themselves or others are deferred from NS, until they are professionally assessed to have improved and no longer pose those risks. Those with mild or moderate conditions, but who have been assessed to be able to serve in selected vocations, will receive additional monitoring during NS.

Beyond pre-enlistment screening, we have increased our mental health support over the years, particularly during Basic Military Training (BMT). Care Hubs have been set up in the BMT Centres since 2020, so that mental health professionals and medical doctors can work closely with commanders to support NSFs during their transition to military life. Commanders interview NSFs regularly to identify potential problems and to render assistance. Those who are uncomfortable sharing their problems openly can call an anonymous 24-hour SAF counselling hotline. We have also doubled the number of full-time mental health professionals to 80 over the past decade, and established a Mental Health Office for better synergy and delivery of care.

I note that Ms He Ting Ru also mentioned the importance of soldier morale as well as resilience, and how these affect the effectiveness of the fighting units and therefore fighting morale. This is an important aspect and I can assure Ms He, that through use of appropriate instruments, we pick up signals of weakness and strength to better deploy and develop our servicemen and women for the different vocations and levels of command. We certainly want to press on with all efforts in order to make the most of all the contributions of our servicemen.

We understand also that Parliamentary Questions have been filed on this topic of mental health for our servicemen, and we will give a more substantive reply at a subsequent Parliament Sitting.

Improving the NS Experience

We also continue to enhance the NS experience and improve administrative efficiency, so that national servicemen can focus on their NS duties.

Mr Shawn Huang asked about OneNS and the digitalisation of NS systems. Today, national servicemen use the NS Portal for their major NS-related transactions, such as to apply for Exit Permits, to book Individual Physical Proficiency Tests (IPPT), and to receive and acknowledge NS notices. This year, the NS Portal will be replaced by a new OneNS web portal. This portal will be hosted on a commercial cloud platform and feature an improved design, allowing national servicemen to access NS services more easily and with few disruptions. Through OneNS, we aim to introduce a more personalised and engaging digital experience for all national servicemen.

OneNS is not just a web portal but a broader platform, including a mobile app that consolidates NS-related services and transactions. The app will make the daily routine more efficient for NSmen on In-Camp Training (ICT). NSmen currently queue and scan their physical IDs for in-processing for ICT. With this enhancement, they will be able to register their attendance easily with the app's geo-location and QR code scanning features. This will be rolled out to all NS units in 2024.

Aside from the digital experience, we are also consolidating physical NS services for national servicemen's greater convenience. Ms Rachel Ong asked about the progress of this one-stop location. As the Minister for Defence said during his speech yesterday evening, the new Central Manpower Base (CMPB) will be opened in phases from 2025. Once completed, the building will bear the CMPB name because of its significance for multiple generations of national servicemen.

This new CMPB will be an integrated service location for NS-related administration. NSmen will be able to undergo the Health Screening Programme, take their IPPT or attend NS FIT training at the all-weather Fitness Conditioning Centre. They can then buy NS necessities at the Lifestylemart located on-premise, or make use of the "Click and Collect" and "Pick and Pack" services if they so wish. Pre-enlistees will attend medical screening and take their pre-enlistment IPPT there. The medical screening time will be shortened, thanks to an easier registration process and improved sequencing of stations. Enlistees, NSmen and the public can also look forward to amenities such as a food court, café, childcare centre, soccer field, and fitness zone. We envisage that these amenities will be open even on weekends, bringing convenience to NSmen and the community nearby.

The new CMPB will also be home to the SAF's second Regional Health Hub (RHH), which Ms Rachel Ong asked about. RHHs consolidate the SAF's essential healthcare services under one roof for each region, to provide even more responsive care. The first RHH serving the northwest region was officially opened in Kranji in 2023. Over the next decade, the SAF will be establishing up to four more RHHs in different parts of the island. The third RHH will be located at Dieppe Barracks to serve the north. It will house the SAF's first Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre, to better manage musculoskeletal injuries and is slated to commence operations in 2027.

Supporting and Recognising Contributions of National Servicemen

Mr Neil Parekh asked about how we recognise the contributions of national servicemen. We have a strong track record of showing our appreciation to our national servicemen. Examples include the NS Recognition Awards, which was first introduced in 2010 and subsequently enhanced into the NS HOME (HOusing, Medical and Education) Awards in 2014. These awards support the NSmen's housing, healthcare and education financing. It is presented to national servicemen in cash credits and top-ups to their CPF and Post-Secondary Education Accounts at various milestones of their NS journey. After we enhanced the NS HOME awards again in 2022, a national serviceman can receive up to $18,500 in the course of his NS journey. Good performance during NS is also recognised through the NS Excellence Awards. In addition, NSmen and their families receive tax relief every year. We also celebrate our NSmen's life milestones with Celebratory Gifts of $100 when they solemnise their marriage or welcome a child into the family. Recently, DPM Wong announced that all past and present national servicemen will receive $200 in LifeSG credits in November this year. This is on top of the $100 presented in 2022 to commemorate NS55. These initiatives, and others in this nature, demonstrate and reflect MINDEF's continued strong emphasis on appreciating the valuable contributions of our national servicemen.

I note that Mr Neil Parekh also asked how employers can play a part in this. Here, I would like to record my thanks to the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD). We have a council within ACCORD for employers and businesses. Through the work of that council, as well as broad employer groups and chambers, I think the message has really gone out to many employers out there that strong NS is synonymous with conditions to do good business in Singapore, because the safety and security of this land enable proper business planning and investment decisions. I think that over the years, more and more employers have understood this. You can see this manifested in the increasing numbers of employers who have merited the NS Mark recognition. In addition, many employers have, in their own ways, made arrangements to support their NSmen employees when they have had to report for ICTs, to recognise the leadership skills of the NSmen, and to recognise their vocational skills (e.g. in logistics and cyber) and the applications of these skills to particular industries. I want to thank these progressive employers for doing so, and I hope that all employers can take a leaf out of their book and also do so.

Mr Gerald Giam asked about the NS allowance. NS is a duty to the country. It is not a form of employment. Instead of a salary, NSFs receive an allowance to support their basic personal upkeep. This allowance is regularly reviewed, most recently in July 2023. I must also say that if you look in the 10 years from 2012 to 2023, this allowance was reviewed four times. So, when we say that it is an allowance to support the basic upkeep of our NSFs, we mean it and we will do it. I note that Mr Giam also used the word "obligation" in his cut. This is not wrong. I also note Dr Wan Rizal in his cut used the words "honour" and "duty". This is also correct. We are all on the same page because Mr Giam also finished his cut by saying that we all recognise the importance of every citizen to defend this country. For whom are we defending this country? For MINDEF? For the SAF? No. It is for each and every Singaporean, for now and for the future. So, we will continue to review and ensure that the allowance remains relevant.

I spoke about the recognition packages, and the ongoing allowances of our NSFs. There is something else – paying close attention to ensuring our NSFs transit as smoothly as possible out of full-time NS into post-NSF life to pursue further studies or commence work. In 2022, MINDEF and MHA partnered NTUC Learning Hub and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to enhance the SkillsFuture@NS initiatives. Under this enhancement, NSFs can use the SkillsFuture@NS Learning eXperience Platform to gain unlimited access to 75,000 online courses. Ms Jean See asked for an update on this. Since its implementation, about 21,000 NSFs have signed up on the platform. MINDEF/SAF and Young NTUC also introduced the Career Starter Lab programme to NSFs in September 2023, to support them with structured job training and career mentorship after NS. About 100 companies across a wide range of industries, such as food and beverage, retail, health, energy, and finance, are already on board. And of course, every effort will be made to broaden this. NSFs may apply to take advantage of the programme and strengthen their value in the labour market. Therefore, we care for NSFs not only during full-time service, but also as they prepare for their future.

Finally, Mr Chairman, in the area of recreation, we opened SAFRA's seventh clubhouse in Choa Chu Kang in 2023. The Float@Marina Bay's redevelopment into the NS Square is on track, with construction commencing next month. When completed in 2027, it will play host to major national events, like the National Day Parade, and bigger scale community, sporting, and recreational activities.

Conclusion

Mr Chairman, NS remains the cornerstone in safeguarding our security, sovereignty and way of life. We must continue to do our utmost to strengthen the NS system; to make full use of our NSFs' and NSmen's talents and skills, and to appreciate their valuable contributions. We must take good care of them.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.