Families of dead servicemen to receive compensation: Mindef

[hokkien]

Friday, Nov 16, 2012
SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has said it will strengthen training safety in the light of lapses leading to the deaths of two full-time national servicemen this year.

Private Dominique Sarron Lee, 21, died on April 17 after he experienced breathing difficulties during a training exercise at the Murai Urban Training Facility in Lim Chu Kang. On May 11, Third Sergeant (3SG) Tan Mou Sheng, 20, died after the jeep he was in overturned in the Marsiling training area.

Compensation

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), the family of the deceased serviceman will receive a lump sum death gratuity, equivalent to 12 months of the last drawn monthly gross salary of a regular of equivalent rank.

This sum is outside of the compensation framework.

Under the Mindef framework, a sum will be awarded to the family if the death was due to service.

The spokesperson said the amount is consistent with the principles adopted by the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) and the civil courts, declining to reveal the exact amount due to MINDEF policy.

In addition, if the death had occurred during military training, the family will also receive a Special Award that effectively doubles the total compensation award, compared to what is prescribed under WICA.

For the cases which have resulted in the two deaths, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said "due process" would be followed, whereby the chief military prosecutor would decide - based on military investigations - if the cases are to be put to a general court martial.

He said that the findings of police investigations would be submitted and a decision made later whether there will be any civil prosecution. A coroner may decide to hold an open inquiry as well, he added.

 

[Froggy]

Sinkie lives are so cheap, so sad.

 

[watchman8]

wow, compensation less than Teo CH's 2 weeks' salary leh. So generous.

Should compensate the family by confiscating the annual bonus of all officers involved, from supervising officer all the way up to defence minister. Then they will wake up their idea on training safety.

Use 6 smoke grenades in an enclosed space? They think is street battle ah? Trying to choke the poor soldiers to death. Same like the drowning of commando trainee a few years back, also under Teo CH watch.

 

[lorrydriver]

will receive a lump sum death gratuity, equivalent to 12 months of the last drawn monthly gross salary of a regular of equivalent rank.

LPPL policy. eg NSF 3SG case....how many sign on regulars are at 3SG rank? only the newly sign ons....so what is the starting salary of a NEW regular?

 

[numero uno]

most of the time, fatalities happened because of "minor" issues like asking somebody without driving licence to drive a 3 tonner or throwing more smoke grenades for realism(he probably think it is a joke). like all the top brass. met quite a few of them and they are too complacent and bocahp unless their own sons are involved. sue these people. Her son lost is too great a loss. all blardy deadwood. karma would strike soon

 

[ray_of_hope]

More and more PRs have an added reason to find ways for their sons to avoid doing NS.

 

[hairylee]

Sinkie lives are so cheap, so sad.

The amount is less than monthly pension of Teo CH.

 

[sleaguepunter]

SAF shd not shift all the blame to the junior officers and NCOs. The CO, S1 and S3 should also take the blame for not ensuring the ranks and file follow the TSRs.

 

[applejuice]

Why don't they simply scrap NS and have full time armed force instead?

 

[lorrydriver]

:p:p

SAF shd not shift all the blame to the junior officers and NCOs. The CO, S1 and S3 should also take the blame for not ensuring the ranks and file follow the TSRs.

kekeke....had an ICT about 8 years ago. Regular CO visited our deployment at dinner time and saw many open fires. got upset and gave an order for immediate move out without lights. Of course an accident happened. Heard equipment damage was around $200k. At the BOI, everyone gave the same statement that it was CO that ordered "no lights"....no one was punished....:p :p :p CO probably stuck

 

[sleaguepunter]

:p:p

kekeke....had an ICT about 8 years ago. Regular CO visited our deployment at dinner time and saw many open fires. got upset and gave an order for immediate move out without lights. Of course an accident happened. Heard equipment damage was around $200k. At the BOI, everyone gave the same statement that it was CO that ordered "no lights"....no one was punished....:p :p :p CO probably stuck

u first transport lorrydriver? i dunno about other vocations but armour often move without lights. maybe having NVD help..

 

[lorrydriver]

u first transport lorrydriver? i dunno about other vocations but armour often move without lights. maybe having NVD help..

yup, once a lorrydriver, always a lorrydriver....support unit where got NVD toys to play one.....

 

[enterprise2]

View attachment 7620

Friday, Nov 16, 2012
SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has said it will strengthen training safety in the light of lapses leading to the deaths of two full-time national servicemen this year.

Private Dominique Sarron Lee, 21, died on April 17 after he experienced breathing difficulties during a training exercise at the Murai Urban Training Facility in Lim Chu Kang. On May 11, Third Sergeant (3SG) Tan Mou Sheng, 20, died after the jeep he was in overturned in the Marsiling training area.

Compensation

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), the family of the deceased serviceman will receive a lump sum death gratuity, equivalent to 12 months of the last drawn monthly gross salary of a regular of equivalent rank.

This sum is outside of the compensation framework.

Under the Mindef framework, a sum will be awarded to the family if the death was due to service.

The spokesperson said the amount is consistent with the principles adopted by the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) and the civil courts, declining to reveal the exact amount due to MINDEF policy.

In addition, if the death had occurred during military training, the family will also receive a Special Award that effectively doubles the total compensation award, compared to what is prescribed under WICA.

For the cases which have resulted in the two deaths, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said "due process" would be followed, whereby the chief military prosecutor would decide - based on military investigations - if the cases are to be put to a general court martial.

He said that the findings of police investigations would be submitted and a decision made later whether there will be any civil prosecution. A coroner may decide to hold an open inquiry as well, he added.

There was a story told to me by a RSAF pilot. During one of the Nat Day, two choppers flew too close to each other and the rotor blades strike against the other. The 2 stricken choppers had to make a emergency landing somewhere close by. No casaulties. It was never reported in the media. Happened decades ago.

 

[sadshishamo]

Yes this is a really small amount. I am sure they can do better than just go a little beyond the book.

 

[TracyTan866]

Sinkie lives are so cheap, so sad.

the pap mistreats Singaporeans

 

[sleaguepunter]

govt really cheapo. surely can set aside $200k for death cases.

govt really KNN, dont even provide medical coverage for injuries inflicted during the course of NS/reservist.

 

[Clone]

A regular of equivalent rank should earn about $2500+ a month? *shakes head*

NS is killing Singaporeans for nothing. :oIo:

 

[Received_by_Kings]

Sinkie lives are so cheap, so sad.

You useless failures in the army especially kekeke.

Kissinger was right about you useless animals.

 

[blackmondy]

the pap mistreats Singaporeans

Abuse is a more appropriate term.

 

[Yoshitei]

Based on the following resource:

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/arc/m_index.html#_MEBenefits-Salary

Assuming the average salary is S$2,000, the quantum of compensation is $24,000.

Can we pay $24,000 to be exempted from NS?