Even as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues to hone its fighting edge by upgrading weapons systems and acquiring more sophisticated war fighting technologies, National Servicemen remain at the forefront of a credible defence force.
Said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen: "Whether we can deter would-be aggressors for another 50 years and achieve peace depends not on advance systems or weaponry, no matter how sophisticated, but our people and their resolve to defend our island home."
At last year's budget debate, Dr Ng announced that he would chair the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) and that it would be supported by two working groups chaired by 2nd Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing and Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.
The three men gave updates on issues ranging from CSNS efforts, which engaged nearly 40,000 people from all walks of life over several months last year - to improved training technologies during the budget debate. Here are some of the key highlights from their speeches.
Better training, better soldiers
The SAF will increase the number of regular trainers, said Dr Ng. "Arising from the CSNS, the SAF has decided to employ more regulars as full-time trainers, as a career path." This is a move that could potentially see the SAF employing an additional 1,100 regulars as full-time trainers.
This is not a totally new practice in the SAF. Some units, such as the Commandos, have been doing this for years. Compared to the current system where Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) receive their training mostly from their seniors, a Regular training cadre would reap benefits of efficiency and effectiveness.
Explaining this point, Dr Ng said: "There is a limit to what a 22-year-old NSF can transmit to a 21-year-old NSF. Some of them do it very well and I am very proud of them but we have to accept that there are limits."
There may also be slight time savings of "a few weeks at most", said Dr Ng. "I am not making any promises here because the Army has to study many details to ensure that we can continue to generate operationally ready units. But if there are time savings in terms of weeks, we will pass it on."
Operationally Ready National Servicemen will continue to serve the existing 10 In-Camp Training (ICT) stints, which typically spans 10 years. Explained Dr Ng: "We need these 10 ICTs and those in MINDEF reserves to maintain the strength in our standing force. This will meet our defence needs, even with falling birth rates, until 2040."
Mr Chan added that the current ICT system has been refined over the years.
Training tech
The SAF continually invests in training infrastructure so that its troops can train more efficiently. Last year, the SAF unveiled the Multi-Mission Range Complex (MMRC) which houses seven firing ranges into one building.
No longer at the mercy of the elements, soldiers can even do their night shooting training in the day with the flick of a switch. Putting into context the benefits of having the MMRC as a training tool, Mr Chan said: "What used to take almost two days and two nights for a 500-man unit can now be done in just slightly under a day."
Another innovation, the Murai Urban Live Firing Facility will be launched soon. This facility bumps up the capacity from a seven-man section doing their urban live-firing training, to being able to train a company-sized force of more than 100 men.
Shorter wait time
Following public feedback gathered through CSNS, the SAF will also work on reducing the transition time before enlistment for full-time NS. Currently, those bound for NS could spend months waiting for enlistment after leaving school as different institutions end their curricula at differing times.
The goal is for enlistees to begin NS training within a fixed time frame, possibly between four to five months. Again, any policy changes have to be weighed against the SAF's operational needs. "Remember that we are dealing with nearly 20,000 enlistees every year, so the logistics are very challenging."
"But the Army is studying this seriously and expects to complete its detailed studies on the issues raised by the CSNS in the second half of this year.
More opportunities
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is also working on setting up the SAF Volunteer Corps to allow more Singaporeans and Permanent Residents an avenue to contribute to Singapore's continued success.
Said Mr Chan: "The proposed SAF Volunteer Corps should harness the different skills of the volunteers to complement our defence capabilities."
For example, volunteers who have specific specialist skills such as health care, communications or technology can be tapped upon to serve in their domain of expertise.
Also on the increase: leadership opportunities for NSFs. With better technology and decentralised operations, the SAF requires stronger small unit leadership skills. "These are opportunities for us to better match each serviceman's background, potential and interests with the operational needs of the SAF," said Mr Chan.
Safety
In June 2013, the Safety and Systems Review Directorate was set up to review MINDEF and the SAF's safety systems. The Directorate has since set up an External Review Panel for SAF Safety comprising experts from outside the SAF.
After visits to the Basic Military Training Centre, Officer Cadet School and Specialist Cadet school, "they have found the SAF safety system to be robust", said Mr Chan.
Recognising NSmen
Come mid-year, construction will begin on the new SAFRA clubhouse in Punggol. Announced Dr Maliki: "We will also be redeveloping SAFRA Tampines to include new sports and other exciting facilities, and also study the feasibility of a new SAFRA clubhouse in the north-western part of Singapore, to expand further the variety of offerings to more than 540,000 NSmen and their families who are SAFRA members today."
Outreach efforts
To boost commitment to defence, MINDEF and SAF have been actively reaching out to the community.
In February this year, MINDEF arranged for more than 260 stakeholders and their family members, and more than 10,000 students to visit the Singapore Airshow.
On the social media front, the cyberpioneerTV YouTube channel, and the Army, Navy and Airforce Facebook pages have attracted strong followings. "It is heart-warming to read some of the personal reflections on these pages," said Dr Maliki.
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