Gender change operation before NS
Hey guys, i ORDed long time ago but am wondering about this due to the rising number of cases.
I had a friend who went for an operation to change his gender after he ORDed. He doesnt need to serve his reservist since the gender changed.
Another person I know but too far to call a friend has been a pre-op trans since before his NS, served as a guy in uniform but once booked out, turned into a lady. He still serves reservist in the unit.
My question now is, could a person go for a gender change operation legally before NS and apply for exemption?
Or if it is illegal to do so in Singapore, could he turn into a “she” in a foreign hospital and come back to Singapore to be exempt from NS?
Netizens’ comments
- Can. I pes F with hormone therapy. Tiagong need look like female to the mo and need to be on hormone 1 year prior
- (OP) “The letter takes effect from …. until it is revoked by proper authority.”
Which means you may still be liable to serve ns if you stop the treatment and transition to being a “man”?
Or if they feel that they need free labour they may revoke the letter and call up all those who received this letter format?
MINDEF’s statement on transgender individuals serving NS
For reference, back in 2016, there was a news article about a transgender woman (male to female) who was asked to serve her national service.
The Singapore Ministry of Defence issued a statement in response to media enquiries on the situation, saying:
“All male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents above the age of 18 years are required to serve National Service (NS) if they are medically fit. Those who are legally declared female will not be required to serve NS.”