<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Sep 11, 2009
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>NSmen allowances up <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
</TD><TD vAlign=bottom>
Currently, an NSman is given a rank allowance increment for every 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->THE Government has accepted all the recommendations to better recognise the contributions of National Servicemen. They include higher combat and rank allowances - of up to 20 per cent more - for NSmen who go for in camp training.
NSmen will also be allowed to bring in and use their laptops, PDAs and Blackberries during non-training hours. Three business centres, fitted with wireless internet access, photocopiers, online telephony service Skype and fascimile facilities, will be set up by the end of the year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo, announcing these on Friday, said the Government recognises the key role that NSmen play as the 'main fighting force' in Singapore. 'We know national service is a sacrifice, in which NSmen bear the brunt of it. Families and employers also pitch in as well. so we want to thank them, ' he said.
=> FTrash: LOL!
Some 75,000 NSmen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Police force and Civil Defence Force will start getting the higher allowances from April 1, 2010.
Currently, an NSman is given a rank allowance increment for every 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). Each increment is around 5 per cent of the minimum rank allowance for that rank. From next year, an increment will be given to NSmen for every active work year they are called up for in-camp training (ICT).
NSmen who perform high-key ICTs will be given a larger increment at the end of that work year, subject to the satisfactory completion of theICT in that year. Those in combat vocations currently receive a combat allowance that ranges from $100 to $300 per month, based on the demands of their vocations.
To further recognise the demanding nature of combat vocations, this allowance will be raised by $100 across all combat vocations at the start of ORNS. NSmen in the SPF, who are deployed in operational vocations, will also receive a $100 increase in Operational Allowance at the start of their ORNS.
The Home Affairs Ministry will also give a similar increase in the similar Operational Allowance for NSmen in the SCDF. The higher combat allowance will start from Oct 1, and will benefit more than 60,000 SAF, SPF and SCDF NSmen in combat or operational vocations who are called up each year and do not claim make-up pay.
To recognise the greater demands placed on NSmen holding command appointments, they will receive a Command Appointment add-on allowance, which will be set at 20 per cent of the current allowance drawn by these NSmen.
The command appointment add-on allowance will be paid in April and May next year. It will benefit more than 2,000 holders in command appointments.
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>NSmen allowances up <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Currently, an NSman is given a rank allowance increment for every 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->THE Government has accepted all the recommendations to better recognise the contributions of National Servicemen. They include higher combat and rank allowances - of up to 20 per cent more - for NSmen who go for in camp training.
NSmen will also be allowed to bring in and use their laptops, PDAs and Blackberries during non-training hours. Three business centres, fitted with wireless internet access, photocopiers, online telephony service Skype and fascimile facilities, will be set up by the end of the year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo, announcing these on Friday, said the Government recognises the key role that NSmen play as the 'main fighting force' in Singapore. 'We know national service is a sacrifice, in which NSmen bear the brunt of it. Families and employers also pitch in as well. so we want to thank them, ' he said.
=> FTrash: LOL!
Some 75,000 NSmen in the Singapore Armed Forces, Police force and Civil Defence Force will start getting the higher allowances from April 1, 2010.
Currently, an NSman is given a rank allowance increment for every 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). Each increment is around 5 per cent of the minimum rank allowance for that rank. From next year, an increment will be given to NSmen for every active work year they are called up for in-camp training (ICT).
NSmen who perform high-key ICTs will be given a larger increment at the end of that work year, subject to the satisfactory completion of theICT in that year. Those in combat vocations currently receive a combat allowance that ranges from $100 to $300 per month, based on the demands of their vocations.
To further recognise the demanding nature of combat vocations, this allowance will be raised by $100 across all combat vocations at the start of ORNS. NSmen in the SPF, who are deployed in operational vocations, will also receive a $100 increase in Operational Allowance at the start of their ORNS.
The Home Affairs Ministry will also give a similar increase in the similar Operational Allowance for NSmen in the SCDF. The higher combat allowance will start from Oct 1, and will benefit more than 60,000 SAF, SPF and SCDF NSmen in combat or operational vocations who are called up each year and do not claim make-up pay.
To recognise the greater demands placed on NSmen holding command appointments, they will receive a Command Appointment add-on allowance, which will be set at 20 per cent of the current allowance drawn by these NSmen.
The command appointment add-on allowance will be paid in April and May next year. It will benefit more than 2,000 holders in command appointments.
