Debated in Parliament on 12 Nov 2013.
Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Defence (a) whether the Ministry will consider allowing National Servicemen to state their preferred vocations and give priority for navy shipboard vocations to maritime graduates pursuing sea careers; and (b) whether shipboard officers' service can be recognised as National Service for seafaring graduates who commit to three years of working on board ships.
Madam, in deploying National Servicemen to some vocations, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) does take into account the individual's aptitude and suitability to fulfil the required tasks and operational roles. These personal considerations are balanced against the priority to train and generate combat and supporting units to defend Singapore. The Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS), which I chair, is presently studying how to expand the number of vocations where the individual's aptitude and preference is considered while still maintaining or strengthening our defence capabilities. I think this was the gist of Ms Mary Liew's question.
The Nominated Member of Parliament also asked about maritime sector qualifications. And, indeed, maritime sector qualification is one of the several factors that the SAF takes into account when deploying full-time National Servicemen to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Let me give some details on the relevant qualifications. It includes Diplomas in Nautical Studies, Maritime Transportation and Marine Engineering as well as Higher National Institute of Technical Education Certificates (NITEC) in Marine Offshore Engineering.
National Servicemen (NSmen), who have suitable maritime sector qualifications, such as the Certificate of Competency issued by MPA may be deployed to the RSN to serve their National Service (NS).
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The Member has also suggested that civilian shipboard service be recognised as NS. This would be unwise and inequitable, as it would erode the support for NS, where every enlistee performs his duties, whether it is within SPF, SCDF or SAF.
I am very heartened to hear the Minister's response. Just one supplementary question: will the Minister consider working closely with MPA to recognise the sea time served on board navy ships for these seafaring maritime graduates as part of their career sea time to be accumulated for their Certificate of Competency (COC)?
Madam, indeed, the RSN already does that and it tracks individuals with maritime sector qualifications and works with MPA. We recognise that it is not a large pool and, so, it is to our interest to be able to deploy these NSFs who are more likely to pursue maritime careers. As I have said, they have the COC and we recognise that the COC is a professional qualification that enables NSmen, and some of them actually are already serving in selected RSN officer appointments that require these professional qualifications.
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