SAF Will Redesign PES System So That Servicemen Can Take Up More Roles: Ng Eng Hen
No more binary classification of servicemen.
By
Jeremy Lee
-
1 Mar 2021, 1:08 pm
Medical Classification System Review To Focus On Operational Effectiveness, Says Defence Minister
For decades, Singaporean guys have had to go for a medical check-up before starting their national service (NS).
The examination is so that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can determine the physical condition of a pre-enlistee and grade him in a way that will determine what type of training he can do.
However, this medical classification system is set for a review, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Source
Following that, servicemen will be able to take up more roles in vocations that were previously not available to them.
PES system to be reviewed
In a Facebook post on Monday (1 Mar), Dr Ng said the Physical Employment Standards (PES) system will be subject to a review.
Source
Currently, recruits are graded on a scale from PES A to PES F.
While PES A & B recruits are determined to be combat-fit and suitable for frontline operational vocations, those who’re deemed to be PES C and E are non-combat-fit but can serve in some support vocations, like admin.
PES F means one is medically unfit for any form of service.
Focus on operational effectiveness
According to Dr Ng, the review will focus on the operational effectiveness of individual servicemen.
That means that they won’t just be reduced to 2 categories: Combat-fit and non-combat-fit.
Source
How the SAF will do that remains will probably be announced soon.
A monumental change for the SAF
All Singaporean guys who’ve served the nation will be intimately familiar with the current PES system.
For a period of time, it’s all they would have been obsessed about, as it has a great impact on what they do during their time in NS, as well as when they serve reservist.
That’s why a review of the medical classification system will be a monumental change for the SAF.
Do you think it’s a long time coming, or the it should stay the same? Do air your views in the comments.
No more binary classification of servicemen.
By
Jeremy Lee
-
1 Mar 2021, 1:08 pm
Medical Classification System Review To Focus On Operational Effectiveness, Says Defence Minister
For decades, Singaporean guys have had to go for a medical check-up before starting their national service (NS).
The examination is so that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can determine the physical condition of a pre-enlistee and grade him in a way that will determine what type of training he can do.
However, this medical classification system is set for a review, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Following that, servicemen will be able to take up more roles in vocations that were previously not available to them.
PES system to be reviewed
In a Facebook post on Monday (1 Mar), Dr Ng said the Physical Employment Standards (PES) system will be subject to a review.
Currently, recruits are graded on a scale from PES A to PES F.
While PES A & B recruits are determined to be combat-fit and suitable for frontline operational vocations, those who’re deemed to be PES C and E are non-combat-fit but can serve in some support vocations, like admin.
PES F means one is medically unfit for any form of service.
Focus on operational effectiveness
According to Dr Ng, the review will focus on the operational effectiveness of individual servicemen.
That means that they won’t just be reduced to 2 categories: Combat-fit and non-combat-fit.
How the SAF will do that remains will probably be announced soon.
A monumental change for the SAF
All Singaporean guys who’ve served the nation will be intimately familiar with the current PES system.
For a period of time, it’s all they would have been obsessed about, as it has a great impact on what they do during their time in NS, as well as when they serve reservist.
That’s why a review of the medical classification system will be a monumental change for the SAF.
Do you think it’s a long time coming, or the it should stay the same? Do air your views in the comments.