The Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) engaged more than 40,000 people from all walks of life through extensive conversation on NS. One feedback that arose from these discussions is how more Singaporeans want to be involved in national defence. A survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found that eight in 10 respondents supported creating opportunities for women, new citizens and first-generation Permanent Residents to contribute to defence. Taking into account the feedback, MINDEF took steps to establish the SAFVC, to include the wider Singapore community in contributing to our national defence.
The SAF Volunteer Affairs Department (SVAD) has been set up to manage the SAFVC. It will be responsible for personnel administration, training, deployment and engagement of the SAFVC Volunteers.
SAFVC Volunteers will undergo training to be proficient in their respective roles. As SAFVC Volunteers continue to serve in the SAFVC, they will deepen their skills and knowledge, and eventually have the opportunity to coach and mentor other SAFVC Volunteers.
As the volunteer becomes more experienced and familiar with the SAF, he or she will be given the training to take on greater responsibilities. SAFVC Volunteers have the flexibility to progress at their own pace.
SAFVC Volunteers can look forward to contribute meaningfully in their roles and in deployments (e.g. NDP, SAF Day, Army/ Navy/ Airforce Open Houses).
SAFVC Volunteers are expected to volunteer for 10 Active Volunteer Service Years (AVS). These 10 AVS years will include deployments; and allow SAFVC Volunteers to serve for a fulfilling and meaningful duration. Thereafter, the SAFVC Volunteers will be placed on the SAFVC Reserve List and be deployed to support SAF Operations and Training, where necessary.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Depending on the volume of applications, shortlisted applicants can expect to wait up to four weeks before being scheduled for an interview. Applicants will also be informed of the required supporting documentation to bring on the day of the interview.
Upon passing the interview, the applicant can expect to wait up to four weeks before being scheduled for a medical screening. The duration taken for an applicant to complete medical screening will vary based on the applicant’s health.
As shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email, they are reminded to check their emails including the Junk/Spam folders in the event the email is misdirected.
The SAF Volunteer Affairs Department (SVAD) will inform applicants of the outcome of their applications via email, as to whether they were found suitable to join the SAFVC.
The SAFVC is open to individuals who are not required to serve National Service (NS). These include women, first-generation Permanent Residents and new citizens. We welcome all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who desire to contribute and are aged 18-45 years old to sign up. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted to undergo interviews and medical screenings to determine if they are suitable to serve as volunteers.
[For NSmen, ex-NSmen and ex-regulars in the SAF, SPF, SCDF] Those with NS training are strongly encouraged to contribute in their NS capacity. NSmen who have completed their NS commitments can apply to volunteer through their former NS units. NSmen who wish to contribute their civilian expertise can contact ecs_query@defence.gov.sg to find out more about the Expertise Conversion Scheme.
[For SPF and SCDF Regulars] Females who are currently serving in SPF and SCDF may apply to volunteer with SAFVC.
[For NSFs] NSFs serving in the SAF, SPF and SCDF will not be considered for the SAFVC.
SAFVC Volunteers will need to meet the pre-requisite qualifications, and fulfil the relevant training requirements so that they can contribute in their roles safely and effectively. The requirements vary for different roles. Some of these requirements include relevant work experience, physical fitness level and assessed overall aptitude.
An SAFVC Volunteer can apply to change his/her role, as long as the pre-requisites are met, but this is still subject to a selection process. If selected, the volunteer will need to go through the necessary Qualification Training and Advanced Training for the new role.
SAFVC Volunteers will undergo Basic Training conducted by HQ SAFVC. The training cadre is led by HQ SAFVC, augmented by a cadre of experienced Regular trainers such as those from Basic Military Training Centre and other Training Institutes. The Qualification and Advanced training to qualify SAFVC Volunteers for deployments are similarly conducted by experienced trainers from the respective domain expertise. Training is designed to ensure volunteers are adequately trained and ready to fulfil the roles that they have been assigned.
The SAF takes a serious view on safety. First, all SAFVC Volunteers will undergo medical check-ups to ensure they are medically fit to participate in the training and be deployed to their roles. Second, the training curriculum is designed to be safe, progressive and effective for SAFVC Volunteers across a wide range of age. Third, SAFVC Volunteers will be trained by experienced Regular trainers. Fourth, resources (medical facilities and staff) have also been committed to ensure the well-being of our SAFVC Volunteers during training. HQ SAFVC will constantly review the conduct of training to ensure it is safe, progressive and effective.
Basic Training (BT) is designed such that volunteers across a wide range of age should be able to complete it. A pre-course brief will be conducted at least two months before the start of BT. The pre-course brief will provide more details for those attending BT.
No, SAFVC Volunteers are not required to take the IPPT. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to keep fit as they will find it easier to keep up with the training and operational duties if they are fit.
Accommodation for SAFVC Volunteers during their training will be at Maju Camp, SAFVC barracks. There will be separate living quarters and toilet facilities for female and male volunteers. Each volunteer is provided with a locker to store their personal belongings.
SAFVC Volunteers will not be carrying their personal mobile phones during training. However, they will have access to their mobile phones during personal time. A phone number will be provided to volunteers’ families if they need to contact the volunteer urgently during training.
The number of days of deployment for each call-up depends on the volunteer’s role-specific requirements which may range from one day to two weeks.
SAFVC Volunteers can be typically called up to serve for 14 days each year. Those who are unable to fulfil this duration of service due to valid reasons (e.g. due to relocation or injury) will be placed on a holding list. They can request to resume their volunteer service subsequently.
SAFVC volunteers will be issued call-ups for training or deployment via SAF100V. The SAF100V is issued typically three to six months prior to the planned training or deployment to allow the volunteer to make the necessary work or personal arrangements.
As with any member of the SAF, a volunteer in the SAFVC can join other volunteer groups.
All SAFVC Volunteers are members of the SAF, just like our active and NS servicemen. During their service, they will be subject to a disciplinary framework based on military law.
No. SAFVC Volunteers do not hold mission critical appointments and are therefore not required to notify MINDEF nor apply for exit permit if they are travelling overseas.
SAFVC Volunteers will receive a call-up notice, the SAF100V, typically three to six months prior to their call-up. They should show this call-up notice to their employers, who are required to grant them leave of absence to attend their training and deployment.
Similar to the existing arrangements with NSmen, SAFVC Volunteers who are employed will be eligible to claim Make-Up Pay, which is the difference between his civilian income and SV allowance for the period of In-Camp Training (ICT) call-up.
In their first year of service, all SAFVC Volunteers will go through Basic Training (BT). BT will be conducted over a continuous period of ten weekdays or over a span of four weeks.
In their second year of service, SAFVC Volunteers will go through Qualification Training and, where applicable, Advanced Training.
An SAFVC Volunteer can be typically called up to serve for 14 days each year upon completion of the training syllabus for their roles.
When the employee is away from work performing SAFVC training, his/her employer is required to continue paying CPF contributions based on his/her civilian remuneration.
