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Follow our news, recent searches, all nsfs to get extra s$1,000 in cash after ord, nsmen to get monthly base pay of s$1,600 regardless of employment, advertisement.

Singapore Armed Forces soldiers. (Photo: SAF)

Aqil Haziq Mahmud

SINGAPORE: From Apr 1, all full-time national servicemen (NSFs) will get an additional S$1,000 in cash after their operationally ready date (ORD) – the first milestone on their NS journey.

They will also get another S$500 after the second milestone of completing three high-key in-camp training (ICT), and a final S$500 after the third milestone of completing the full operationally ready national service (ORNS) training cycle.

"The NS HOME cash payment is intended to better recognise our national servicemen’s contributions to national defence," the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a factsheet on Thursday (Mar 3).

Currently, non-commanders already get a S$3,000 top-up in their Post-Secondary Education Account or CPF Ordinary Account, as well as a S$2,000 top-up in their CPF Medisave Account after completing each milestone.

"Our national servicemen will now receive at least S$6,000 at the end of their full-time national service, and at least S$5,500 at the mid-point and at the completion of their ORNS journey," Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said in his ministry's Comittee of Supply debate on Thursday.

The change will benefit 54,000 SAF and Home Team servicemen every year, he said.

The additional cash payouts will be disbursed through the LifeSG mobile application and provides servicemen with the flexibility to use the award to meet immediate needs, MINDEF said.

The cash credits can be used at a "wide range of physical and online merchants", including at any of the 164,000 merchants that accept PayNow.

This initiative was developed by the NS Review Committee, established in 2020 to improve the NS experience. The committee will conclude this year.

Also as part of the initiatives, SAF operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) will get a monthly base pay of S$1,600 for reservist activities, regardless of their employment status.

This amount will be pro-rated for the duration of the reservist activity.

“This will be especially useful for those in informal employment and training,” Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament on Wednesday.

The total make-up pay will also be automatically computed using income and employment data from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and CPF Board.

More than 100,000 NSmen and 25,000 employers will benefit from the automated make-up pay and base NS pay, Dr Ng said.

Some NSmen, mostly the lower-income, might be getting income from informal jobs, gig employment or other payments such as training allowances and incentives that are not captured in databases of CPF Board and IRAS, Mr Heng said.

"NSmen and employers will be provided the opportunity to review the computed amounts. If no objections are raised, the amount will be paid out to them automatically," Mr Heng said.

"Those who believe that the computed amounts are not up-to-date, they can certainly submit additional information for recalculation."

Mr Heng also announced that come 2023, MINDEF and the Ministry of Home Affairs will increase the Group Term Life and Group Personal Accident core insurance coverage for all NSmen to S$300,000 each.

"This will help ensure that the financial support and protection we accord our national servicemen remain relevant and adequate," he said.

Since 2016, MINDEF and MHA have been purchasing these policies for their servicemen for a sum assured of S$150,000 each.

MINDEF will also launch a OneNS platform to replace the NS Portal and consolidate all NS-related digital services and transactions.

"The idea is to centralise these transactions and essential NS services onto the OneNS platform, and render it more accessible via a single mobile application or a revamped web portal," Mr Heng said.

"For a start, NSmen can look forward to enhanced call-up and deferment –services, to facilitate preparation for ICT. Other e-services will be rolled out subsequently and progressively."

This comes after the ministry announced in 2019 that it will consolidate all NS-related physical services – from the pre-enlistment medical to the individual physical proficiency test – at a new NS Hub, to be completed in 2023.

FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS AT PRE-ENLISTMENT

On the deployment of NSFs, MINDEF said functional assessments will be implemented at pre-enlistment medical screening from this year.

"Functional assessments replicate the physical demands required for daily operations, enabling the SAF to better match servicemen’s functional abilities to the role’s actual demands," it said.

"Pre-enlistees with selected orthopaedic conditions and sports injuries will undergo tests to assess their functional capacity related to range of motion, stability and strength," MINDEF said.

"The pre-enlistees’ functions will be examined by trained physiotherapists in the SAF and assessed against the physical demands of the job-specific training requirements."

The functional assessments were developed in consultation with external specialists in the field of physiotherapy, alongside SAF physiotherapists from the Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance.

In 2019, the SAF said it will review the use of the medical classification system and physical employment standards (PES) system so it can better deploy servicemen in more roles according to their abilities.

MINDEF said then that the SAF will explore the use of functional assessments to determine servicemen’s deployability in specific vocations, such as for the selection of transport operators – a combat service support vocation.

In 2021, the SAF redesigned 1,000 jobs; another 800 jobs will be redesigned by 2023, MINDEF added.

"Take for example the redesign of the medic role," Mr Heng said. "Leveraging advances in medical technology and efforts to define the physical demands required for each specific role, servicemen of varying physical capabilities can now be deployed as medics."

Moving on to NSmen, MINDEF said it will from this year allow eligible NSmen with relevant expertise to be redeployed at any point in their ORNS cycle, instead of only after they have served a minimum of two high-key ICTs and five ORNS years.

Eligible NSmen can now also be redeployed across all levels, including into roles assumed by warrant officers, specialists and enlistees, and not just into officer roles.

"This will allow MINDEF/SAF to better optimise and maximise expertise that NSmen may have picked up in their civilian lives, and allow the SAF to better meet its operational needs," MINDEF said, adding that such redeployments will be subject to the SAF’s operational needs.

Servicemen are encouraged to update information pertaining to their education qualifications and work experience on the NS Portal, so as to benefit from these changes.

DIGITALISING SAFETY SYSTEMS

On safety, MINDEF said it will establish the Heat Resilience and Performance Centre to address rising ambient heat, which poses a critical risk to operational readiness.

The centre, which will be set up in the National University of Singapore in the middle of this year, will study heat mitigation strategies and develop more fundamental approaches to prevent heat injury in the SAF, Mr Heng said.

"We recognise that rising ambient temperatures due to climate change will increasingly impact the well-being of our servicemen and effectiveness of our training and operations," he added.

This comes as MINDEF and the SAF have been using technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics as well as researching novel technologies to improve existing frameworks that ensure safety during training and operations.

In 2018, NSF Dave Lee died nearly two weeks after displaying signs of heat injury following a fast march at Bedok Camp.

An external review panel that year found that the SAF’s heat injury measures were “generally sound and aligned with prevalent industry and foreign military practices”, noting that the total number of heat injuries in the army declined from 27 in 2012/2013 to 20 in 2017/2018.

MINDEF also said on Thursday that it has launched an enterprise safety information system that improves commanders’ safety situation awareness and safety prevention efforts. The system could also predict future safety breaches using data analytics.

In 2020, the SAF Inspector-General's Office (IGO) found areas for improvement in communication about safety down the command chain. It is currently in its second year of auditing the SAF.

"Compared to the first audit cycle, commanders and servicemen were observed to have taken even more ownership in upholding safety practices and displayed more awareness towards potential safety hazards," Mr Heng said of the IGO's two-year audit cycle.

"Going forward, the SAF will continue to sustain our emphasis on safety policies and processes, and to ensure that safety lessons will be passed on even as we see the turnover of servicemen."

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Is SCS Worth It? Here’s My Experience

You’re at the start of your National Service (NS) journey and you’ve heard about the Specialist Cadet School (SCS) from your buddies, but what exactly is life like within?

As a 3SG who has gone through the course, here’s what you need to know:

• 1 How do I get into the SCS course?
• 2 How long is the SCS course?
• 3 What is life like in SCS?
• 4 What is the pay like while I’m in SCS?
• 5 What haircuts are allowed during SCS?
• 6 What tips are there to survive SCS?
• 7 Is SCS worth it?
• 8 Conclusion

How do I get into the SCS course?

It is possible to indicate your interest in command school during Basic Military Training (BMT). Usually, the commanders will conduct a written survey on which NS route you would prefer.

Moreover, there will be interviews in which you can express your interest in leadership roles.

Your fitness performance, leadership capabilities and your education level will also determine your placement.

Your commanders will also be on the lookout for who to recommend for SCS. To stand out from the group, do take the initiative to help out in spite of feeling fatigued during training. Moreover, there will be a Situational Test (SIT test) at the end of the field camp to assess problem-solving skills . 

How you handle various situations with your section mates will go a long way in determining your place in SCS. 

Be sure to make use of the field camp to show your worth!

How long is the SCS course?

The 22-week SCS journey splits into three periods:

• Foundation Term
• Professional Term
• Combined Arms Term

#1 The Foundation Term

This is where all cadets go through a course in which they teach basic infantry skills. You will train to become a Specialist of the SAF. Activities during this period include technical handling lessons of more infantry weapon systems. Live firings of these weapons follow.

There will be outfield exercises , such as:

• Exercise Tenderfoot – Navigation training
• Exercise Grandslam – Conventional Operations and Urban Operations

And miscellaneous lessons such as:

• National Education
• Chemical Defence
• Guard Duty Training

You can find out more about guard duties during NS here .

The Sergeant Rocky challenge is also conducted at the end of the term. It is a 16km Route March that includes various stations of Foundational Term tests. This will happen through the night. Trainers will inform you about your posting in the Professional Term in the morning after.

Cadets posted to the Infantry will be called out through a ceremony. Usually, the remaining cadets will learn their postings later in the afternoon .

This is quite exciting as the vocation posting is where you will spend the remaining 2 years. 

#2 The Professional Term

During this term, you will be assigned to the various formations in the Army. You will learn vocation-specific skills at the respective training institutes for a duration of 12.5 weeks.

These are the possible institutes and vocations you may be posted to:

• Specialist Cadet School (Infantry)
• Island Defence Training Institute (Military Police)
• SAF Military Intelligence Institute (Infantry Recce, Armour Infantry Recce etc.)
• SAF Medical Training Institute (Combat Medics)
• Motorised Infantry Training Institute (Motorised Infantry)
• Engineer Training Institute (Combat Engineer, CBRE/EOD)
• MP Command (Military Police)
• Artillery Institute (Artillery)
• Armour Training Institute (Armour)
• Signals Institute (Signals)
• Sniper Cadet Course
• Naval Military Expert Institute

A summary exercise is usually conducted at the end of the term. During this period, some vocations will train overseas. For example, I went to Taiwan during my Infantry Specialist Cadet course for Exercise Starlight.

My training in Taiwan was a three-week event that consisted of Exercise Longstride and Exercise Warrior. This includes navigation, conventional attack and defence in mountainous regions. It was an interesting experience for me to train in the cold weather.

There will be a couple of days of Rest and Recreation (R&R) towards the end of the three weeks. During this period, you can explore Taipei city in Taiwan as a break from the intense training!

#3 The Combined Arms Term

All cadets will come back together for the final Combined Arms Term for a brief 1.5 weeks . You will have lessons conducted by Military Experts on leadership skill experiences. Do learn how the different factions of the Army come together to manage their troopers.

This is also where the preparation for the Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade (SCGP) begins. The Master Trainer of the School will conduct rehearsals until every cadet has met his standard of parade. You will be wearing the SAF Long No.4 with parade gloves to practice in. Additionally, an issued bayonet attaches to the SAR-21 for rehearsals.

In my experience, this was a very tiring process as our Master Trainer had us repeat the entire process many times.

Your family and friends are invited to watch the SCGP. What puts this apart from the BMT Passing-Out Parade is the various vocational SAF No.1 dress uniforms marching together in contingent with their respective coloured berets.

At the end of the parade, your family and friends will come down to the parade square for photographs. You will finally be able to don the rank of a fully-fledged 3SG !

What is life like in SCS?

The journey as an SCS cadet is not an easy one. There will be many intense training sessions to build fitness, learn specialist skills, and outfields.

Physical Training

Since you will need to be a trainer after graduating from SCS, you are expected to have a certain level of fitness . Some of the activities that you will need to be familiar with include:

• Daily morning runs
• Metabolic circuits
• Combat circuits

Combat circuits tend to be the most intensive due to doing military exercises whilst wearing Standard Battle Order (SBO) with the field pack as a weighted bag.

SCS is a Warrant Officer and Specialist (WOSpec) organisation, and discipline amongst cadets is crucial . Compared to BMT, the expectations are higher when it comes to day to day aspects of cadet life. 

Proper marching standards, military salutations and a no-nonsense behaviour are enforced by the trainers.

Administrative Time

The training objectives of the day will end in the evening. You are free to use the time to rest or use the gym facilities . Often, we would use the time preparing equipment for the next day’s scheduled training and cook our instant noodles.

Depending on how your Company’s Officer Commanding (OC) allows, he/she may allow for time outside of camp in the evening for dinner. Usually, I would go to the nearby Joo Koon MRT mall with my fellow cadets to satisfy our fast food cravings. You may also choose to stay within the camp as time outside is limited to around 4 hours.

During my time, our OC had a rule for which only Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) Gold achievers could have nights out once a week.

What is the pay like while I’m in SCS?

The monthly allowance does increase from the usual BMT recruit pay of $580 to the specialist cadet pay of $670 , along with the full-time National Servicemen IPPT and Marksmanship incentives. You are able to get these incentives once per year for your 2 years in NS.

If you’re in a combative vocation such as the Infantry, you will be eligible for additional combat pay :

What haircuts are allowed during SCS?

Sadly, haircuts are another enforced rule. You’ll have to maintain a 2-by-1 short haircut for males. Commanders often give extra weekend duties to cadets for non-regulatory haircuts. I find the enforcement much stricter as compared to the unit I was in after SCS.

The camp does not have a barber like in Tekong, so you’ll need to get your haircut during the weekends.

You can tell your barber to give you the buzz cut which follows the typical haircut length ratio of 2 on the top and 1 at the sides and back.

From my experience, most barbers in Singapore will be familiar with the SAF-required haircut for men.

What tips are there to survive SCS?

Here are 4 tips I have for you to get through SCS :

• Have an open mind towards learning new interpersonal skills
• Understanding and following strict regimentation to build discipline
• Maintain physical fitness
• Make friends

#1 Have an open mind towards learning new interpersonal skills

While the hands-on skills taught may be important to get through SCS, an important factor of cadet life revolves around how you communicate with your fellow buddies . Take the opportunity to talk to your fellow cadets about how you can work out a system of responsibility within the bunk.

Things can get done much faster when everyone works together!

#2 Understanding and following strict regimentation to build discipline

It may seem daunting at first to be under strict regimentation. When you realise how this can improve the way you and your section mates function through standardised practice, the benefits seem to outweigh the bad .

#3 Maintain physical fitness

SCS follows the practice of progressive training. Maintaining physical fitness helps to make the training easier with your fellow cadets to not drag them down!

#4 Make friends

The friends you make during this course will help you to get through tough times during training and administrative periods.

Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable together will make time in-camp seem to pass by.

Is SCS worth it?

The SCS journey was eye-opening for me. Yet the responsibility that comes after is important to keep in mind. If you’re someone unwilling to commit to the role as a Specialist in the SAF, I would not recommend this course to you.

The time spent in SCS is worth it if you make it worth your while. The friends I have made and the interpersonal skills I have learnt was what I took away from the experience.

I would not have done it any other way, as the stories that come from my time in SCS were one of the most memorable.

As a cadet, life in SCS is as interesting as it is tough. At the end of the day, it is about how you want to craft your NS journey as 22 weeks in SCS is a significant part of your 2 years!

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• Jul 4, 2021

Deep Dive into National Service: Officer Cadet School (OCS)

This week, we are joined by LTA (NS) Ge Yiming, who has completed his two years of national service and is an incoming freshman at the NUS Law School. Yiming graduated from Hwa Chong Institution before enlisting into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). After commissioning, Yiming served as the Platoon Commander for 3rd Company in School 4.

Life before Command School

Command School in National Service

Life after command school, looking back..., advice for others, life before command school, tell us briefly about your ns journey before officer cadet school (ocs).

After completing my GCE A level, I enlisted into BMTC’s 6th Company in School 4 on the 5th of January 2019. I was part of the regular enhanced batch as opposed to the mono-intake batch.

How was your Basic Military Training (BMT) experience?

BMT was a relatively relaxing period of time in my NS journey. I had a rather simple time adapting to life in the military, learning how to follow orders from the commanders. They were nice to us while equipping us with the basic skills to survive in the army. I enjoyed spending time talking with my friends. The shared experience of field camps, graduation march, and POP fostered a tight bond among us.

What was the highlight of your BMT?

The highlight undoubtedly came during my first outfield camp. The experience pulled me far away from my comfort zone, both physically and mentally. Looking back, I am grateful for this experience as it prepared me for the many field camps that were awaiting.

What was your view of Command School during BMT?

Personally, command school presented a prestigious learning opportunity. I envisioned going through command school and challenging myself physically and mentally. I also believe it would be beneficial as it is something to work towards during the two years serving the country, keeping me motivated and occupied at the same time.

However, my path to command school was never clear to me, as there were people who performed better during different stages of the evaluation. Still, I am grateful for the opportunity.

How was your time in OCS structured?

The nine months of OCS training is structured into three main stages. The first stage is called Common Leadership Module (CLM), which lasts for two weeks. This is where we would be presented with the first white bar. The second is called Service Term (approximately two and a half months) and the third is called Professional Term (approximately six months), which is followed by the last called Joint Term (two weeks) where we would have the parade rehearsals.

How was your experience in the Common Leadership Module (CLM)?

During this time, there were not a lot of outfield camps. The activities were designed to feel more like a typical university orientation into life in OCS.

Here, I was assigned to Echo Wing. I remembered a memorable field camp where the instructors led us in an exercise, reflecting on the reason why we wanted to go through OCS.

A good amount of time was also spent in lecture theatres listening to recruitment talks, where they spoke about the ethics involved in being in OCS, and how to adjust to life in OCS, etc.

Fun fact, I completed more push-ups during CLM than during both Service and Professional Terms combined!

How was your time during Service Terms?

Moving on to Service Terms, I was transferred to Foxtrot Wing. The Terms lasted for nine weeks and I enjoyed learning more about infantry skills, section tactics, and operating various weapons, such as the Section Automated Weapon (SAW), grenade launchers, General-purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), and the M203.

The schedule was packed and we always felt as if there was never enough time to absorb the learning. We had an outfield almost every other week, as well as constant in-camp training to equip us with the skills to operate these weapons, such as doing the Technical Handling Test (THT) or conducting Live Firing.

The training mostly was conducted in Singapore in places like the Mandai area. Some of the outfield experiences were navigation exercises, attack and defence simulation, and jungle exercises.

The navigation exercises not only taught us essential skills such as relying on maps and compasses to look for checkpoints, but they were also great opportunities to build camaraderie as you navigate around with your friends and instructors.

Service Terms was also my first time suffering from a heat rash. I remembered at that time feeling horrible as it lasted a couple of days even after booking out. Eventually, I learnt to use aloe vera to subdue the rash and was fortunate to be given the advice of not using any powder on it.

How was your time during Professional Terms?

I vividly recall my time spent at Brunei’s and Taiwan’s camps.

All of us who boarded the plane to Brunei was in denial as we could not believe that we were going to face the immensely challenging weeks ahead. As we landed, I remembered perspiration streaming down from head to toes as if I were in a sauna. The combination of torrential rain and scorching sun during the days we were there was not the best, to say the least.

Our four weeks in Brunei were mostly spent performing drills such as ridge-line fighting, river crossings and others, all the while being in Full Battle Order (FBO). A lot of our training, however, could not last beyond six o’clock local time, as it was too dark outside to have any visibility.

One of the most memorable exercises was the Jungle Confidence Course. Essentially, it was a 9-day navigation exercise, in which we were given a 2-day ration worth of food, as we were expected to gather our own food in the jungle. However, as none of us was confident enough to hunt or attain our own food, we resolved to share the rations among ourselves for the entire 9 days. Surviving on a tiny amount of food while travelling with 17 kilograms of equipment on foot, even climbing a mountain (Mt. Biang), meant that I ended the trip by losing at least five kilograms.

Luckily for us, the Taiwan trip, which lasted approximately one month, was a relatively enjoyable experience. It was more mentally tiring than the Brunei trip, as we had to complete back to back missions over five days and were not allowed proper rest in between these missions, as we barely had time to prepare for the next. Nevertheless, we had the pleasure to witness the astonishing natural beauty of the Taiwanese landscape throughout our trip, whether that was during the break between the march up and down a mountain, or during our rest and relaxation (R&R) period.

Our instructors were kind enough to allow us some freedom during our R&R period to explore the city of Taipei. The food in the camp was incredible. We had fun exploring the different night markets in Taipei and my friends even had the challenge to see who can drink the most bubble tea throughout the two-day R&R.

Where were you posted to after Command School?

I was posted to Tekong BMTC School 4, 3rd Company as a platoon commander (PC).

Describe the life of a Platoon Commander?

I had to undergo a one-week course to become a trainer, learning how to be a chief safety officer or conducting physical training (PT).

Typically, my day starts with having breakfast in the cookhouse. After the first PT at around 7.30am, I would start planning for the different field camps and other conducts. The planning would be done around lunchtime, by which time I would be relaxing with other commanders. The next PT conduct would begin at 4.30 pm and the day would end with me overseeing the night routine orders (RO). Overall, being a PC involves a lot of planning and coordinating with other platoon commanders. We have an acronym to follow when planning for the numerous outfield camps, which is SMARTO, which stands for signals (any devices for communication like the walkie-talkie, etc.), medical (making sure there is a medic a standby, etc.), ammunitions, rations, transport, and others.

What were some highlights during your posting?

My experience as a PC was very fulfilling. Meeting people from various backgrounds and learning about their stories was very eye-opening.

Certainly, my highlights would be incomplete without the road marches in which I was in charge. For instance, the route from East Coast Park to Marina Bay was filled with great scenery during the road march of my first batch, giving it calming energy.

Last but certainly not least, the march in Tekong which I was conducting was memorable too. The pitch-black night brought back memories of the treacherous training in Brunei. Relying on the experience of the countless hours of navigating in darkness, I managed to lead everyone safely. However, it was not without challenges either. We were met with uneven terrains and wild animals, including a python. At the same time, I had to coordinate with the conducting officers from other companies, whilst ensuring the well-being of my own recruits.

Would you have done anything differently?

My physical ability would have been ranked higher on the priority list. Certainly, I would have pushed myself to do a few more push-ups and sit-ups every day.

Was Command School the right choice in the end?

Command school was the right choice for me. Everyone takes away something different from the experience. Personally, it had toughened me physically and mentally, in a manner which surpassed my expectation back when I was a recruit in BMT.

What do you miss the most in your NS experience?

As the action-packed schedule of NS becomes a thing of the past, I start to miss the people and friends and our aimless conversations during those navigation walks.

How can one foster a strong bond within their section/ platoon?

This depends heavily on the section dynamic, however, going through experiences together will help. Being there to support one another will also go a long way. One tip I could give is staying away from the phone to spend some time chilling with others would be beneficial.

How would you advise someone deliberating whether or not to go to OCS?

I would advise the individual to deliberate how the two years in NS would be spent, as well as what takeaways they wish to have at the end of the journey. If the goal is to mature as a person, OCS is arguably the best option to do so in NS. With that said, one needs to mentally prepare for the tough training ahead to overcome the challenges during OCS.

• Deep Dive into National Service

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Deep Dive into National Service: Specialist Cadet School (SCS)

News & Events

Defence matters.

• National Service
• Fact Sheet: Conclusion of Review by National Service Review Committee

In 2020, the National Service Review Committee (NSRC), chaired by the Deputy Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of Army, was established to strengthen the National Service (NS) system. NSRC concluded its review in 2022. The NS system has been reviewed to ensure its relevance in fulfilling the operational demands of the Next-Generation Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and meeting the needs of a new generation of national servicemen.

This fact sheet summarises the key NSRC initiatives. The NSRC's reviews are organised along three key thrusts: (1) maximising servicemen's contributions; (2) improving NS experience; and (3) enhancing recognition and support for our national servicemen.

(1) Maximising Servicemen's Contributions

Review of the NS Deployment System

(i) The SAF is leveraging technology and redesigning jobs to deploy servicemen of varying physical abilities to a wider range of operational roles in order to optimise the deployment of every national serviceman. In 2021, the SAF redesigned 1,000 jobs while another 800 jobs will be redesigned by 2023.

(ii) In parallel, the SAF has been reviewing the Medical Classification System and Physical Employment Standards (PES) System to focus on the Operational Effectiveness of each individual, instead of the binary classification of whether one is Combat-Fit or Non-Combat-Fit. Medical exclusions that used to limit deployments may no longer be relevant in today's operating context or with the use of technology. The SAF has therefore trialled the use of functional assessments to determine our servicemen's deployability in specific vocations, such as for the selection of Transport Operators in 2021. Functional assessments replicate the physical demands required for daily operations, enabling the SAF to better match servicemen's functional abilities to the role's actual demands.

(iii) From 2022, functional assessments will be implemented at pre-enlistment medical screening. Pre-enlistees with selected orthopaedic conditions and sports injuries will undergo tests to assess their functional capacity related to range of motion, stability, and strength. These assessments were developed in consultation with external specialists in the field of physiotherapy, alongside SAF physiotherapists from the Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance. The pre-enlistees' functions will be examined by trained physiotherapists in the SAF and assessed against the physical demands of the job-specific training requirements. The tests will enable a more holistic assessment of our servicemen's abilities, so that the SAF can assess their deployability to a wider range of roles.

Work-Learn Scheme

(iv) Since 2018, MINDEF/SAF has launched Work-Learn Schemes across different domains for our NSFs to upskill and maximise their contributions during NS. Under the Work-Learn Scheme, servicemen undergo training and are able to attain a MINDEF-sponsored diploma or partial university credits while serving NS.

(v) The first of such schemes was the Cyber NSF Scheme launched in 2018. As part of the NSRC efforts, MINDEF/SAF launched the Work-Study Diplomas for Army and Air Force Technicians two years later in 2020, in collaboration with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). NSFs will serve their NS while undergoing training and certification to obtain a diploma in Electronic Engineering (for Army Technicians) or Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (for Air Force Technicians). Since 2021, RSAF has also partnered Temasek Polytechnic on the Work-Study Diploma for Air Force Technicians. Around 50 servicemen are enrolled in these two schemes annually.

(vi) In 2021, MINDEF/SAF launched the Work-Study Diploma for Supply Supervisors in a collaboration with ITE. Under this scheme, selected servicemen can serve their NS while undergoing training and certification to obtain a diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. NSFs who enlist from November 2021 are eligible to apply for the programme.

(vii) MINDEF/SAF will also be launching the Digital Work-Learn Scheme in 2022, to meet the SAF's operational needs in software development, cloud development and Artificial Intelligence. This will be the fifth Work-Learn Scheme launched by MINDEF/SAF since 2018. NSFs who enlist from April 2023 and are interested to pursue undergraduate studies in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Data Science and Artificial Intelligence can apply for this programme. Selected NSFs can take academic modules in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) while serving their full-time NS to earn academic credits that will contribute to the eventual completion of their degree.

(viii) More of such schemes will be progressively implemented in the coming years.

Expertise Deployment of Operationally Ready National Servicemen

(ix) Over the years, MINDEF/SAF has expanded opportunities to deploy NSmen with relevant civilian expertise to operational roles requiring such expertise. Some NSmen acquire expertise that is useful to MINDEF/SAF through their civilian education and careers, and it is a key priority for the SAF to identify these NSmen and redeploy them effectively, to maximise their contributions.

(x) The Expertise Conversion Scheme was launched in 2014. This scheme allows NS Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees (WOSEs) with relevant expertise and who have completed their Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) cycle or reached Statutory Age, to convert to ME4 and take on Officer-grade expertise roles. Since then, MINDEF/SAF has expanded expertise deployment further, by allowing NS WOSEs to convert even during their ORNS cycle, as long as they have served a minimum of two High-Key In-Camp Trainings (ICTs) and five ORNS years.

(xi) In 2021, a dedicated Expertise Deployment Centre (EDC) was set up within the SAF to oversee the expansion of expertise deployment for our NSmen. Since then, more NSmen have been redeployed annually, and we have also identified new emerging areas where NSmen can be redeployed to, such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

(xii) From 2022, MINDEF/SAF will allow eligible NSmen with relevant expertise to be redeployed at any point in their ORNS cycle, instead of only after they have served a minimum of two High-Key ICTs and five ORNS years. Such redeployments will be subject to the SAF's operational needs. Eligible NSmen can now also be redeployed across all levels, including into roles assumed by WOSEs, and not just into Officer roles. The existing Expertise Conversion Scheme will be re-named the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme.

(xiii) This will allow MINDEF/SAF to better optimise and maximise expertise that NSmen may have picked up in their civilian lives, and allow the SAF to better meet its operational needs.

(xiv) Servicemen are encouraged to update information pertaining to their education qualifications and work experience on NS Portal, in order to fully benefit from these changes. They may register their interest for this scheme with their NS Relations Officers in their Formation/Division Headquarters or via the NS Matters website.

(2) Improving NS Experience

(i) To enable a seamless experience and better service delivery, MINDEF/SAF is leveraging data and technology to improve the NS experience and reduce administrative load for servicemen.

Automated Make-Up Pay Claims System and Base NS Pay

(ii) From the second half of 2022, Make-Up Pay (MUP) claims will be automated. NSmen and their employers will no longer need to submit claims and supporting documents for ORNS activities such as ICTs. MINDEF/SAF and MHA/Home Team (HT) will draw data from IRAS and CPF Board to automatically compute the MUP amounts they should receive. NSmen and employers will be asked to review the computed amounts before these sums are paid out. If they do not indicate any objection by a stipulated date, the computed amounts will be paid out automatically. This will greatly reduce the administrative burden placed on employers and NSmen to submit claims. NSmen or employers who do not agree with the automatically computed amounts can submit additional documents for a recalculation.

(iii) MINDEF/SAF and MHA/HT will also implement a base NS pay, to compensate NSmen whose income from informal employment and foregone training allowances may not be fully reflected in data from IRAS and CPF Board. This will be implemented alongside the automated claims system. All NSmen will receive at least $1,600 for every month of ICT they attend. For ICTs of shorter durations, corresponding pro-ration will be made. For example, the base NS pay for a typical two week ICT will be $800.

(iv) The automated computation of MUP and base NS pay will benefit over 100,000 NSmen and 25,000 employers. More details on the automated MUP claims process and base NS Pay will be announced separately.

Enhanced Health Screening Programme (HSP) and HSP Centre

(v) NSmen who are IPPT-eligible and aged 35 and above have to undergo the HSP to ensure they are in good physical health to safely participate in high-intensity activities during ICT.

(vi) Since October 2020, the HSP process has been streamlined to one session instead of two sessions previously, with the introduction of non-fasting blood tests. A specialised SAF HSP Centre was also set up in the Military Medicine Institute (MMI) at Kent Ridge in July 2021 to provide NSmen with a more convenient location to undergo HSP, and shorten appointment booking and waiting times.

(vii) Overall, these enhancements benefited approximately 11,000 NSmen annually by enhancing efficiency and service delivery for HSP. All the feedback received from servicemen during the post implementation period was positive.

NS FIT and FIT@HOME

(viii) NS FIT is a 10-session programme, launched in April 2021, in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Sport Singapore (SportSG). NS FIT is designed to better support NSmen in incorporating fitness and exercise into their daily routines while fulfilling their annual fitness requirements. NSmen are allowed to choose their preferred NS FIT training locations, and exercise with greater convenience. Flexibility is also provided for NSmen to take part in different programmes offered at the various training locations. NSmen will have the option to participate in fitness activities and exercise programmes in the community together with their family and friends. Since April 2021, a variety of NS FIT locations and programmes have been made available at over 40 sites island-wide, up from 13 in 2020.

(ix) FIT@HOME, a virtual NS FIT programme that was introduced to complement NS FIT activities, was launched in July 2021. Held over video conferencing platform, it provides even more flexibility and convenience for NSmen to maintain active and healthy lifestyles.

(x) NS FIT and FIT@HOME have received positive feedback. NSmen have expressed appreciation towards the significant flexibility and convenience offered to them under NS FIT, and highlighted that the close proximity of the various NS FIT locations to their homes or workplaces has helped them to save travelling time and allowed for better scheduling of their routines.

NS Digital Transformation

(xi) The NSRC has also focused on digital transformation efforts to enhance the NS experience of every national servicemen.

Digital Disbursement of NS Recognition Benefits

(xii) MINDEF/SAF has collaborated with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) to disburse NS recognition benefits to our NSmen digitally. Since November 2021, NS recognition benefits like the NS Excellence Award and Celebratory Gifts have been disbursed in cash credits that can be accessed via the LifeSG mobile application. The credits can be used at any online/physical merchants accepting payment by "Scan and Pay" via PayNow UEN QR. From April 2022, the credits can also be used at merchants accepting payment via NETS QR.

(xiii) Digital disbursement creates a simple and fast redemption experience. MINDEF will progressively shift more NS recognition benefits to digital disbursement over time. This will include the new NS HOME cash component, which will be disbursed via the LifeSG mobile application from May 2022, for national servicemen who reach their NS milestones from April 2022 onwards. By mid-2022, MINDEF and MHA will disburse NS recognition benefits to 100,000 national servicemen via LifeSG every year.

(xiv) MINDEF/SAF will continue to exploit digital technologies to cater to a tech-savvy generation. More initiatives will be shared in due course and servicemen can look forward to a more personalised, seamless and convenient digital experience.

You may download the LifeSG mobile application by searching "LifeSG" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or via this link https://go.life.gov.sg/ADpo .

OneNS Platform

(xv) Another example of us leveraging digital transformation to improve NS experience is the OneNS platform, a one-stop platform which consolidates all NS-related digital services and transactions throughout an individual's NS journey. The OneNS platform was designed to anticipate national servicemen's needs and push relevant services to them, to provide a personalised NS experience. The first phase of the OneNS platform will be launched in the second half of 2022. NSmen will have access to enhanced call-up and deferment eServices which will be integrated with Smart ICT features through the OneNS platform. More eServices and products will be progressively enhanced and rolled out on the OneNS platform.

(3) Strengthening Recognition and Support for National Servicemen

NS Housing, Medical and Education (HOME) awards

(i) The NS HOME awards serve to recognise national servicemen for their sustained commitment to national defence. It is paid out at three milestones - at the end of full-time NS, the mid-point of ORNS, and completion of ORNS. At each milestone, servicemen are given at least $5,000, credited directly into their Post-Secondary Education or CPF-Ordinary accounts, and their CPF-Medisave accounts. Since 2014, over 300,000 national servicemen have received NS HOME award payments.

Enhanced NS HOME Awards

(ii) From 1 April 2022, national servicemen will receive an additional $2,000 in cash credits cumulatively across the three existing HOME milestones – $1,000 after completing full-time NS, and $500 each, at the mid-point and completion of the ORNS cycle. NSmen will now receive at least $6,000 in total at the end of their full-time NS, and at least $5,500 in total, at the mid-point milestone and at the completion of their ORNS milestones.

(iii) The NS HOME cash payment is intended to better recognise our national servicemen's contributions to national defence. This will be disbursed to national servicemen via the LifeSG mobile application and provides national servicemen with the flexibility to use the award to meet immediate needs. The cash credits can be used conveniently and immediately at a wide range of physical and online merchants. National servicemen may access the list of merchants where they can use their LifeSG credits at http://go.gov.sg/lifesgcredits-merchants .

Enhanced Partnerships with Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD)

(iv) Since restructuring in 2014, ACCORD has been reaching out to employers, businesses, families, community and educational institutions, to encourage ground-up initiatives in support of NS and Total Defence.

Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Committee of Supply Debates 2022

Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Heng Chee How, at the Committee of Supply Debates 2022

Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, at the Committee of Supply Debates 2022

Fact Sheet: Timely Establishment of Digital and Intelligence Service

Fact Sheet: Mid-life Upgrades to Formidable -class Frigates

Fact Sheet: Orbiter 4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Fact Sheet: Go Greener SAF – Protecting Our Future with Environmental Sustainability

Fact Sheet: Leveraging Digital Technology and Research to Enhance Safety of National Servicemen

Fact Sheet: Total Defence Initiatives to Engage Singaporeans

• Committee of Supply Debates 2022
• National Service Review Committee
• NS Deployment System
• Medical Classification System
• Physical Employment Standards
• Expertise Deployment Centre
• Enhanced Health Screening Programme
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Last Updated on 03 Mar 2022

• Producten en services
• Abonnementen

Traveling together with discount

• 9 jaar geleden 21 November 2014

26 reacties

• 22675 Bekeken

• Op het juiste spoor

Beste antwoord door Gert-Jan G 21 November 2014, 15:07

• samenreiskorting

• Reisleider**
• 1888 reacties

• Oud moderator
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• 6 jaar geleden 27 February 2018

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• 6 jaar geleden 28 February 2018

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• 6 jaar geleden 1 March 2018

• 4 jaar geleden 10 February 2020

Hello! It is not clear for me that if I have this Samenreiskorting and I want to travel with someone, should she have a personal OV-chipkaart or does it work also with an anonymous OV-chipkaart?

If you travel with someone who has an NS subscription, you can load the Samenreiskorting on any ov-chipcard including anonymous ones.

See this page for details.

• 2741 reacties

You CAN then only travel together with someone between the very same stations. That other one MUST have some kind of NS-subscription on the card and thus that card is always personal=with foto+name. Yours can be any, with/without foto etc. Also you must load the permit every time again and every day anew.

If either or both do not apply, you are not entitled to use this discount and can be fined when caught doing.

• 4 jaar geleden 14 February 2020

So if I have a personal OV chipkaart with NS flex subscription and my sister has an anonymous OV chipkaart then we can  download the Samenreiskorting combined travel discount to her anonymous OV-chipkaart and then she will automatically receive a 40% discount during off peak hours? Am I understanding it right?

• Koploper****
• 18555 reacties

No, only if you have NS Flex with a subscription for an NS Product.

Is the Dal Voordeel (40% discount on the weekend, 40% discount outside rush hour - 5 EUR) an NS Product?

Yes it is. Your sister (and others up to 3 persons) can travel with you at 40% discount by loading Samenreiskorting on her anonymous card, and checking in outside peak hours.

• 2 jaar geleden 11 September 2021

Sorry for bringing up this topic again. My question is how am I gonna add my partner to my joint journey discount? I couldn't find any information about adding another ov chipkaart number or name to my joint journey Group. I will activate my joint journey before we travel With my partner but how she is gonna get into my travel joint I couldn't understand. I mean, how the relation With my discount subscription and her ov chipkaart is created?

Best regards 

• 12613 reacties
• 2 jaar geleden 12 September 2021

Your partner needs to do one of the following:

• If she has an OV-chipcard without NS Flex, she can go to a ticket machine before the journey and load the “Discount travel product” on her card (Samenreiskorting in Dutch), with enough credit. She will then be charged the reduced fare for the trip.  
• If she has an OV-chipcard with NS Flex, she can enable Joint Journey Discount in Mijn NS (both the app and the website).  
• She can buy a Joint Journey eticket ( one-way or return ) for the reduced fare.

You yourself don't have to do anything, just check in and out with the OV-chipcard that has your subscription on it. This means that you yourself don’t activate joint travel discount, and that you don’t register your partner's card somewhere; if your tickets are checked in the train, the conductor will check if your partner is travelling with someone with a valid subscription.

See this page for more information.

• 2 jaar geleden 13 September 2021

Hello Tochjo,

Thank you very much for your answer. Now I understand I think. As a summary for me and everyone, I have a subscription for 40% discount off peak hours and weekends for 5€ per month. For a travel with my companion, I don’t need to do anything for my ov chipkaart(not switching on the samenreiskorting), I just show it to card reader and pass, my family should place their cards to the ticket machine and activate the samenreiskorting on their cards. Afer that they can show their cards to the gate card readers and pass to train. In train the conductor will check if they are travelling with someone who holds a discount subscription. 

Also, I have one last question, My wife does not have any subscription on her ov chipkaart and when she logs in to “mijn ns” via ns app, there is not an option to switch on “samenreiskorting”. I have the subscription and when I log in to “mijn ns”, I can see that there is an option to switch on “samenreiskorting”. I will check with the ticket machine and ns web.

Best regards,

For companion travelers with NS Flex (Basic, Wekeend Discount or Weekend Free without off-peak discount on weekdays), they need to switch on the Combined Travel Discount (Samenreiskorting) in Mijn NS or the NS app.

For those with no subscription (e.g. anonymous cards), they can use the ticket machine.

For those with no card at all, they can buy e-tickets via  https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/traveling-with-the-ov-chipkaart/combined-travel-discount.html  (see I do not have an ov-chipcard )

• 2 maanden geleden 19 February 2024

I also have a question related to this thread. Although I do have a personalized OV Chipkaart (and NS Flex), I find it easiest to simply buythe 40% reduced tickets for my wife and I via the NS app (E-Ticket). Is this sufficient? No conductor has complained so far. I find it strange that there is no explanation by NS for this, not even in their FAQs on the topic of ‘samenreiskorting’. Why bother with the OV card and the machines at stations if you can simply do it via phone? And why do I need the new ‘samenreiscode’ if we have both our e-tickets available on my phone?

And why do I need the new ‘samenreiscode’ if we have both our e-tickets available on my phone?

Many people were buying tickets with "samenreiskorting" when actually travelling alone. 

Although I do have a personalized OV Chipkaart (and NS Flex), I find it easiest to simply buythe 40% reduced tickets for my wife and I via the NS app (E-Ticket).

Is this sufficient? No conductor has complained so far.

Maybe you've been lucky for not being fined, but it has never been allowed to use the Samenreiskorting like that. The subscription-holder always needed to check in and out with his or her OV-chipcard.

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• Eurostar and TGV If you travel to Belgium with Eurostar or TGV, where reservation is required, then interrupting the journey on the train route is not allowed.  
• As of 11 June 2023, tickets with the Early Bird fare are only valid for the IC Brussels as indicated on the ticket en in the booking confirmation.  
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• If you prefer to have the (two) separate journeys together in one booking, you can also book the journey with interruption/longer transfer by telephone via NS International Customer Service: 030 2300023. In that case you will pay a booking fee.

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