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SINGAPORE— More than two years after the scheme was first rolled out, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is looking into the possibility of growing the pool of volunteer soldiers by widening the range of areas in which they can be deployed.
Since the inaugural intake in March 2015, 500 Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) - or about 300 men and 200 women - have gone through basic training under the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) scheme. Of these, more than half have served in over 30 deployments as auxiliary security troopers, naval bridge watchkeepers, medical and legal specialists, as well as personnel in the infomedia team, among others.
The ongoing review will explore adjustments to the scheme in order to allow more people to volunteer while balancing their family and social commitments, Mindef told TODAY.
The ministry did not go into details on whether the training programme or format may be tweaked, stressing that the review is still in its infancy stage.
Currently, prospective volunteers have to undergo an interview and medical screening to assess their fitness and aptitude. Upon graduating from basic training, all volunteers will undergo qualification training which aims to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their respective roles. Those who are trained and ready to be deployed serve at least seven days a year.
From the third to the fifth year in service, volunteers will deepen their skills and knowledge, before developing their leadership skills for the next four years. After a decade of service, a volunteer can contribute as a trainer or mentor for the later batches.
The scheme is open to Singaporean women, first-generation permanent residents and new citizens who are between 18 and 45 years old.
On Saturday (June 24), the first batch of 20 SAFVC soldiers were promoted to SAFVC Volunteer (SV) 2, the second of four ranks which volunteers can attain. Eligibility for promotion was based on length of service, conduct and performance.
The promoted volunteers had enlisted in 2015 and “gone the extra mile” to complete their qualification and advance training early, so that they could be deployed in the same year, said SAFVC commander Colonel Ong Kok Wui at the ceremony held at Maju Camp, where another 69 trainees also received their formation patch after graduating from two weeks of basic training.
The SAFVC has a role to play in “unlocking the potential” of the military in keeping Singapore safe, said Col Ong.
He added: “The world we live in has become more complex and uncertain. We must remain vigilant to guard against the threats to our ways of life...To withstand and bounce back from any threats which may arise.”
He noted that the SAFVC is arguably the most diverse formation in the SAF, with “strong representation from both genders, as well as a wide range of backgrounds and expertise”.
About six in 10 of the current pool of volunteer soldiers are Singaporeans, while the rest are PRs. The dominant age group is between 30 and 40 years old, with half of the volunteers onboard falling within the age range.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...n-knife-attack-by-suspected-militants-8976822
Since the inaugural intake in March 2015, 500 Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) - or about 300 men and 200 women - have gone through basic training under the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) scheme. Of these, more than half have served in over 30 deployments as auxiliary security troopers, naval bridge watchkeepers, medical and legal specialists, as well as personnel in the infomedia team, among others.
The ongoing review will explore adjustments to the scheme in order to allow more people to volunteer while balancing their family and social commitments, Mindef told TODAY.
The ministry did not go into details on whether the training programme or format may be tweaked, stressing that the review is still in its infancy stage.
Currently, prospective volunteers have to undergo an interview and medical screening to assess their fitness and aptitude. Upon graduating from basic training, all volunteers will undergo qualification training which aims to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their respective roles. Those who are trained and ready to be deployed serve at least seven days a year.
From the third to the fifth year in service, volunteers will deepen their skills and knowledge, before developing their leadership skills for the next four years. After a decade of service, a volunteer can contribute as a trainer or mentor for the later batches.
The scheme is open to Singaporean women, first-generation permanent residents and new citizens who are between 18 and 45 years old.
On Saturday (June 24), the first batch of 20 SAFVC soldiers were promoted to SAFVC Volunteer (SV) 2, the second of four ranks which volunteers can attain. Eligibility for promotion was based on length of service, conduct and performance.
The promoted volunteers had enlisted in 2015 and “gone the extra mile” to complete their qualification and advance training early, so that they could be deployed in the same year, said SAFVC commander Colonel Ong Kok Wui at the ceremony held at Maju Camp, where another 69 trainees also received their formation patch after graduating from two weeks of basic training.
The SAFVC has a role to play in “unlocking the potential” of the military in keeping Singapore safe, said Col Ong.
He added: “The world we live in has become more complex and uncertain. We must remain vigilant to guard against the threats to our ways of life...To withstand and bounce back from any threats which may arise.”
He noted that the SAFVC is arguably the most diverse formation in the SAF, with “strong representation from both genders, as well as a wide range of backgrounds and expertise”.
About six in 10 of the current pool of volunteer soldiers are Singaporeans, while the rest are PRs. The dominant age group is between 30 and 40 years old, with half of the volunteers onboard falling within the age range.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...n-knife-attack-by-suspected-militants-8976822
