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All national servicemen in the SAF and Home Team across all ranks will receive a S$70 to S$120 increase in their monthly NS allowance, from March 1, 2020.

This is to ensure adequate recognition of the sacrifice and contributions of NSFs and NSmen in the SAF and the Home Team, and to ensure that their NS allowance remains sufficient for their basic personal upkeep, according to Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How.

In his speech on March 2, at the Community of Supply (COS) debates, Heng also announced the Smart Central Manpower Base (CMPB) initiative, which will provide pre-enlistees with improved e-services.

He also announced the HomeTeamNS Family Scheme and the SAFRA Family Scheme, which will provide NSmen and their dependants access to SAFRA and HomeTeamNS facilities at a single subsidised fee.

Increased NS allowance

Heng announced that in recognition of the different vocational demands performed by national servicemen, all national servicemen will receive a vocation allowance of at least S$50, as part of the revised NS allowance.

This replaces the combat or operational allowance given under the current scheme.

National servicemen in selected vocations who receive combat or operational allowance will receive up to S$100 more for their vocational allowance.

With this revision, an NSF holding the rank of Recruit/Trainee will receive a monthly NS allowance of S$630, up from the current S$560, while a 2nd Lieutenant/Probationary Inspector will receive a monthly allowance of S$1,150, up from the current S$1,080.

An SAF NSF naval diver, SPF NSF Police Tactical Trooper, or SCDF NSF firefighter holding the rank of Corporal will receive a monthly NS allowance of $1,050, up from the $930 he currently receives.

Allow pre-enlistees to complete more transactions online

In his speech, Heng also announced improved e-services for pre-enlistees, known as the Smart CMPB initiative, in order to provide a hassle-free experience of completing most transactions online.

From June 2020 onwards, pre-enlistees will be able to complete their bond and exit permit application in a single online transaction, replacing the current separate applications.

Pre-enlistees will also be able to monitor the progress of these applications online.

The changes are expected to allow pre-enlistees to be notified of their pre-enlistment application outcomes (e.g. deferment and exit permit) up to 40 per cent more quickly.

Complimentary gym membership to prepare pre-enlistees

Heng also mentioned the Pre-Enlistees Exercise Programme for National Service (PREP4NS), which has been on trial since November 2019.

The programme provides eligible pre-enlistees with a one-year complimentary SAFRA Energy One (E1) gym membership.

It aims to encourage pre-enlistees to use E1 gym facilities to improve their general fitness, in order to better prepare themselves for their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) and the physical demands of NS.

Pre-enlistees must have registered for full-time NS but have yet to enlist, and must be assessed to be medically fit for NS in order to be eligible for the complimentary gym membership.

Registration for the trial began on Nov. 1, 2019, and will end on April 30, 2020.

According to Heng, more than 6,000 pre-enlistees have signed up for PREP4NS so far, and MINDEF is currently working with SportSG to extend the PREP4NS trial to include membership to 24 ActiveSG gyms.

More than 4,000 courses available to NSFs

Heng also announced updates to the SkillsFuture@NS programme, which was introduced in 2019.

Under the current programme, all NSFS are able to use S$350 of Electronic Pre-Release Employment Programme (E-PREP) credits to take over 3,000 courses, in order to help them acquire new skills to transit to studies or work after their Operationally Ready Date (ORD).

These courses range from SkillsFuture Series courses, to courses offered by Institutes of Higher Learning.

From April 1, 2020, the number of E-PREP courses will be expanded to more than 4,000 courses.

According to Heng, close to 100 of these courses will be credit-bearing, up from 26 today.

Heng also announced two new E-PREP partners: the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

NSFs will also be able to use their S$350 E-PREP credits to fully cover the courses fees, up to the credit limit, instead of having to co-pay.

SAFRA Family Scheme

In the second half of 2020, MINDEF and MHA will also launch the SAFRA Family Scheme (SFS) and the HomeTeamNS Family Scheme (HFS) respectively.

Under these schemes, NSmen and their dependents will be able to enjoy access to SAFRA and HomeTeamNS facilities and benefits at a single subsidised fee.

All existing and former SAF NSmen will be eligible to apply for the SFS, and all existing and former Home Team NSmen will be eligible to apply for the HFS.

More details on the registration process and membership fees will be announced by mid-2020.

Top image by Rachel Ng.