A COMMITTEE tasked to recognise the contributions of national servicemen said that NSmen today are more educated, take on crucial leadership roles, and yet also face more demands from work.
To meet the higher expectations of this more highly qualified group, the Fifth Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen, or Record V, has made 18 recommendations. Among them are:
to increase allowances for key appointment holders, like platoon commanders,
to allow NSmen in in-camp training (ICT) to bring in and use their laptops, PDAs and Blackberries during non-training hours,
to enhance fitness corners in housing estates to make them suitable for training for the individual physical proficiency test or IPPT,
to provide vouchers that NSmen can use with their families at attractions.
Also not forgotten are about 100,000 lower-income NSmen, who will benefit most from the more frequent and larger increments to be given to rank and combat allowances for all NSmen.
The committee includes Members of Parliament, NSmen, employers, and the spouses of NSmen.
Minister of State for Defence, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, who chaired Record V, said: 'Our recommendations are meant as simple and tangible means of expressing our nation's gratitude to NSmen.'
The committee acknowledged that NSmen today are more educated, and while this meant they were able to contribute more, they also had higher expectations of their national service experience.
Committee member and MP Indranee Rajah said the move to let them stay connected to work recognised that the nature of the workplace had changed, with employees facing enlarged demands.
'Most of us are 24/7 now. Allowing this will make a big difference, because they can keep in touch with the workplace and [also maintain their] productivity,' she said.
The committee also recommended that the 12 camp business centres, which have been in operation since 2007, be equipped with wireless Internet access. Now, NSmen have to use the terminals there to get on the Internet.
But all devices will have to be used within the strict confines of a secure environment. Phones with cameras will still not be allowed in camps.
Ms Rajah stressed that such concessions to the needs of NSmen would not come at the expense of training requirements.
Full-time national servicemen (NSF) have not been left out either, with rank allowances for junior specialists set to increase significantly.
The committee also recommended starting an NSF of the Year award, to mirror the award now given to NSmen.
Unlike Record IV, which convened in 2005, this year's committee did not propose any tax relief measures for NSmen.
In response to media queries, Prof Koo noted that this year's Budget had several relief measures, which included NSmen.
NSmen had also benefited from tax reductions given by previous recommendations. For example, Record IV gave key appointment holders an additional tax relief of $2,000 with effect from 2007.
NSmen generally welcomed the committee's recommendations.
Research assistant Chew Chang Hui, 26, said it would give him and others a greater sense of assurance to stay connected to the workplace.
'When we go for ICT, we are very worried about work commitments. This will put us more at ease, as we can remain connected to work,' he said.
Sales manager Sim King Huei, 28, liked the enhanced fitness corners which he can use to monitor his progress on the IPPT.
Committee member Corrine Foo, 43, a lawyer and the spouse of an NSman, felt the recommendations affirmed the role of the family's support. She said: 'I hope for more recognition of the family in future.'
But committee member Terence Teo, 43, who runs an IT firm where more than half of his 34 employees are NSmen, felt there was 'still room for improvement', even while acknowledging the support employers have received.
'I hope that there will be more tax relief in future, for both employers and NSmen,' he said.
Record V has submitted its recommendations to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean for consideration. An announcement on the proposals is expected next month.
Record V, which first met in March, is the fifth such committee to be set up since 1990.
Recommendations of previous committees have led to, among others, a preferential income tax relief system for NSmen and bonus points for easier entry into universities here for good performers during national service.
