National Service (NS) is the name given to the compulsory conscription in Singapore of all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents upon reaching the age of 18. They serve a two-year period as Full Time National Servicemen (NSFs) in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). National service is a common name for compulsory or voluntary military service programs. ... The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura, Simplified Chinese: ) comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... The Jurong Police Division Headquarters at Jurong West Avenue 5. ... The Singapore Civil Defence Force (abbreviation: SCDF; Chinese: 新加坡民防部队; Malay: Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura) is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency. ...

When a conscript completes his full time service, he is considered to be "operationally ready", and is thereafter known as an Operationally-Ready National Serviceman (NSman). NSmen are the equivalent of other militaries' reservists. The difference in nomenclature is because these NSmen will form the bulk of the Singapore Armed Forces in time of war. The term Operationally-Ready National Servicemen conveys more importance than the reservists. A member of the United States Military that spends one weekend a month and two weeks annually training to protect and defend the United States. ...

On an annual basis, NSmen either go through a high key training or low key training until they reach the age of 40 or 50 depending on their rank. 'High-key' or intensive training involves operations and In-Camp Training (ICT), which last for seven days or longer. 'Low Key' training refers to training duration of six days or less.

The overwhelming majority serve in the Army, as part of the SAF. The reasons for this phenomenon include the relative manpower needs of the Army, compared with the other armed services, the SPF, and SCDF. Also, compared with the Army, the Air Force and Navy are smaller services composed primarily of regular servicemen. As their manpower needs tend to be more specialized, a constant turnover of staff would be very disruptive. Singapore Armed Forces Crest The Singapore Army (Chinese: 新加坡陆军部队, Malay: Tentera Singapura) is the land forces and one of the three services of the Singapore Armed Forces. ... The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF, Chinese: 新加坡空军部队; Malay Angkatan Udara Republik Singapura) was established in 1968. ... The Republic of Singapore Navy (Abbreviation: RSN; Chinese: 新加坡共和国海军部队; Malay: Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura) is the navy of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. ...

History

The NS (Amendment) act was passed on 14 March 1967, as the Singapore government felt that it was necessary to build a substantial military force. The country only had about 1000 soldiers at the time of independence. In the late 1960s, the British government had decided to withdraw its troops and bases East of Suez, which included the troops stationed in Singapore. That prompted the government to implement a conscription program for the country's defence. It adopted a conscription model similar to that of the Israel Defense Forces, as Israeli military advisers were closely involved in the establishment of the Singapore armed forces.^[1] is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... The Government of Singapore is formed by the political party which gains a 50% majority in the general elections held in Singapore at least once every five years. ... The agencies responsible for the government of the United Kingdom consist of a number of ministerial departments (usually headed by a Secretary of State) and non-ministerial departments headed by senior civil servants. ... East of Suez was a term used in British military and political discussions. ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ...

The stated rationale behind conscription is two-fold. Firstly, because Singapore has a population of about 4 million (as of 2004), an army solely comprised of regulars would be too small to defend the country. Secondly, national service is supposed to foster racial harmony among the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other ethnic groups in the country by requiring all males to go through similar experiences and thus being able to identify themselves to share a common destiny of defending the nation. (see multiracialism). However there has been speculation of late that this is not quite true in reality, with the Police and Civil Defence services racially disproportionate to the ethnic composition of Singapore. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In ordinary English, regular is an adjective or noun used to mean in accordance with the usual customs, conventions, or rules, or frequent, periodic, or symmetric. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Multiracialism is term for an ideology which emphasizes the use of policy to promote tolerance and exchange between races, while respecting cultural independence along ethnic lines. ...

Enlistment

Male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents alike are required to register for National Service upon reaching the age of 16½ years old, during which, they would also be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination to determine their medical status, known as Physical Employment Status (PES), which would be used as a guideline as to which vocation the person would be placed in.

They are then called up for enlistment at the age of 18, although most Singaporean males would usually choose to complete their tertiary education in the respective Polytechnics, High Schools, Junior Colleges, Pre-University courses or other institutions before commencing the mandatory duration in which they are required to serve.

Those who voluntarily opt for early enlistment with the consent of their parents are allowed to commence full-time national service at the age of 16½.

The duration of the conscription for a typical Singaporean male usually spans over a period of 2 or 2½ years depending on his educational qualifications. As an incentive of some sort, the duration may be cut by a further 2 months, if potential enlistees are able to obtain a silver or gold for their physical fitness test (NAPFA) prior to enlistment. The duration of National Service has since undergone some minor changes and it now stands at a period of 1 years 10 months to a maximum of 2 years.

Exemptions are rare and are usually due to disability or serious medical conditions certified by the SAF Medical Board. One instance of rare cases of exemption would be if the enlistment would cause hardship to the enlistee's family, be it financially or otherwise, although this particular exemption is rarely granted.

Male children born to foreigners after they have taken up permanent residency in Singapore will be required to serve National Service like other Singaporean males. However, foreigners who take up jobs in Singapore or become permanent residents of Singapore will not be required to serve National Service.

Military service

There are several types of Basic Military Training (BMT) conducted by the SAF at its BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong, which is an island off the north-east coast of Singapore. Medically fit NSFs who hold educational qualifications from Junior Colleges and other institutions of higher learning undergo a 10-week Enhanced BMT program. Those from lower educational backgrounds undergo a similar program (Standard BMT program), but without a Sit Test (Situational Test), which is a test used to assess trainees for posting to command schools like the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) and Officer Cadet School (OCS), occasionally a select few will later be posted to the Police service for training as an Inspector. Pulau Tekong lies in the distance in the background, as taken from Changi Beach Park. ... The School of Infantry Specialists (abbreviation: SISPEC; Chinese: 步兵专业军士学校) is a military training centre for specialists in the Singapore Army. ... The SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队军训学院) is a Singaporean military training institution specialising in the training of officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). ...

NSFs who are less medically fit, depending on their particular medical condition, either have to go a 7-week Modified BMT or just a 1-week induction program for recruits "with serious medical conditions".^[2] NSFs who are medically fit, but have failed the pre-enlistment Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), will have to undergo an additional 4-week Physical Training Phase (PTP), making it a 13-week BMT program for them. Conscripts who are overweight go through special BMT programs, depending on the severity of their obesity, with the longest BMT program lasting 4 months (16 weeks) for the most obese trainees. The obesity of a conscript is determined by his Body Mass Index (BMI) during the pre-enlistment medical checkup.

Medically fit NSmen also have to take the IPPT every year as part of their training program.

Police Service

Though a majority will serve in the army for their National Service, a considerable number of enlistees will serve their NS years in the Police Force. For those who are chosen to serve in the Police Force, they will undergo training at the Home Team Academy where they will study the Penal code and standard police protocol. After training at the Academy, they will be posted to various Departments of the Force eg. Special Operations Command (SOC), Logistics, Land divisions, Airport Police, etc. Those who are posted to the Police Coast Guard (PCG) or Police KINS will undergo further training. Selection of Officer Cadet Trainees (OCTs) to undergo the NS Police Inspector Course (NSPI) is a stringent process for Police National Servicemen (Full-time). Usually, a very small number (ie 3) from each cohort will be selected, with the majority of the OCTs being the Singapore Armed Forces' National Servicemen (Full-time) who have completed their Basic Military Training (BMT). The Home Team Academy (abbreviation: HTA; Chinese: 内政团队学院) is the training institute for various organisations of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore, including the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the Central Narcotics Bureau, the Singapore Prison Service, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and the Internal Security Department... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Criminal Code. ... The Special Operations Command (SOC) is a frontline unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) grouping together various specialist units into a single strategic reserve of the regular forces to be called upon in any contingency and serious case of public disorder. ... Booth of the Police Coast Guard at the Police Carnival 2006 showing its logo with a PC boat in the background. ...

Civil Defence Service

The SCDF is the emergency rescue force of Singapore and they provide firefighting, rescue and ambulance services. Those who are enlisted into the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will go through a 7-week Basic Rescue Training at the Basic Rescue Training Centre (BRTC). Selected NSFs are also posted to the Civil Defence Academy (CDA) to undergo the Firefighter course or an Emergency Response Specialist (ERS) course. NSFs can become Firefighters, Paramedics, Dog Handlers, Hazardous Materials Specialists (HAZMAT), Provosts, Logistics or Instructors among many other vocations. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (abbreviation: SCDF; Chinese: 新加坡民防部队; Malay: Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura) is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency. ... A Canadian firefighter A firefighter or fireman is trained and equipped to extinguish fires. ... A Paramedic is a specialized health care professional who responds to medical and trauma emergencies in the pre-hospital (out-of-hospital) environment for the purpose of stabilizing and transporting the patient to an appropriate medical facility, usually by ambulance. ... The Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command providing security coverage at the Padang in Singapore during the National Day Parade in 2000. ...

Refusal to serve and conscientious objection

Those who are liable to serve national service, but refuse to, are charged under the Enlistment Act. If convicted, face imprisonment for a period of three years and a fine of S$10,000. The penalties were increased in January 2006 after a Singapore-born pianist, Melvyn Tan, received a fine for defaulting on his national service obligations. In parliament, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean provided some illustration of the punishments defaulters would face:^[3] January 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accuses European nations of trying to complete the Holocaust by creating a Jewish camp Israel in the Middle East. ... Teo Chee Hean Teo Chee Hean (Simplified Chinese: å¼ å¿—è´¤; Pinyin: ; born 27 December 1954) is the current Defence Minister of Singapore and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris-Punggol group representation constituency (GRC). ...

• Where the default period exceeds two years but the defaulter is young enough to serve his full-time and operationally ready NS duties in full, MINDEF will press for a short jail sentence.
• Where the defaulter has reached an age when he cannot serve his full-time NS in a combat vocation or fulfil his operationally ready NS obligations in full, a longer jail sentence to reflect the period of NS he has evaded may be appropriate.
• Where the defaulter has reached an age when he cannot be called up for NS at all, a jail sentence up to the maximum of three years may be appropriate.

Each year, a small number of people are convicted for their failure to enlist or refusal to serve in the military.^[4] Most of them are Jehovah's Witnesses, who are usually court-martialled and sentenced to three years of imprisonment, although they are usually held in a low security detention facility and separated from other military offenders. Conscientious objection is not a legal reason for refusing to serve NS. Since 1972, Jehovah's Witnesses as a religious group has been banned in Singapore.^[5] A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, or sometimes with any role in the armed forces. ...

In addition, male Singaporeans who did not serve National Service, and subsequently relinquished their Singaporean citizenship have been refused work permits or even student visas.^{[citation needed]}

Economic and social Impact

There have been reports of reservists who were denied job opportunities because of their NS commitments.^[6] Among some Singaporeans, there is a sense of dissatisfaction with regard to the foreigners who do not have to serve NS, but are able enjoy the fruits of Singapore's economic success.^[7]

Humanitarian efforts

Some NSFs have participated in the humanitarian efforts following the 2006 South of Java Island tsunami, 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake. The Kashmir earthquake (also known as the South Asia earthquake or Pakistan earthquake) of 2005 was a major earthquake whose epicenter was the Pakistan-administered disputed region of Kashmir. ... The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake,[1] was a great undersea earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC (07:58:53 local time) December 26, 2004 with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ...

References in arts and popular culture

Film

• Army Daze (1996)

Army Daze is a Singaporean film made in 1996. ...

Theatre

• Army Daze (1987, 2006)

Army Daze is a Singaporean film made in 1996. ...

See also

• Awards For Singapore National Serviceman

// The Singapore Police Service Good Service Medal is awarded to an officer in recognition of his good, efficient and faithful service in the Singapore Police Service. ...

References

Haaretz (Hebrew: (help· info), The Land) is an Israeli newspaper, founded in 1919. ... The Ministry of Defence (abbreviated MINDEF) is entrusted with overseeing the defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Ministry of Defence (abbreviated MINDEF) is entrusted with overseeing the defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. ... A press release (sometimes known as a news release or press statement) is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ... Channel NewsAsia (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; abbreviated CNA) is a pan-Asian news channel based in Singapore and owned by Mediacorp. ... The Straits Times is an English-language broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore, currently owned by the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). ...

External links

• The NSmen Website
• The NSmen's portal
• Enlistment Act