Singapore’s Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen spoke during the Committee of Supply debate on Mindef’s expenditure plans, and he made an announcement about key changes for NSmen.
Among the key changes is functional assessment, which will be used to get a “more precise gauge of whether the servicemen can perform specific vocations” during pre-enlistment screening.
Ng added that about 1,000 jobs have been redesigned so more servicemen can contribute in areas that they were previously ineligible.
Another key change is for better data management across agencies, so make-up pay for NSMen can be streamlined and become automated.
There will also be a default base pay which NSmen can claim for their reservists in camp, which will be $1,600 per month, and prorated for the duration of their ICT.
Thirdly, the HOME (Housing, Medical and Education) awards will be enhanced, with additional credits of $2,000 across the three milestones of NS to be disbursed to NSmen via the LifeSG app.
