Meal Allowances or Arrangements for SAF Full-time National Servicemen at Locations without Cookhouse Facilities

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) whether SAF full-time National Servicemen at non-camp locations without cookhouse facilities like the Central Manpower Base (CMPB), MINDEF and Defence Science and Technology Agency receive meal allowances during duty hours; (b) if so, what are the current rates; and (c) whether the Ministry will publish these rates on the CMPB website, as is currently done for SCDF and SPF national servicemen.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) does not provide additional meal allowances for our full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) beyond the monthly national service (NS) allowance.

The operational context between the SAF and the Home Team is different. The vast majority of NSFs in the SAF are based in camps or locations that tend to be sited in less accessible areas. For operational reasons, we provide these NSFs with lodging and meals from cookhouses to better accommodate their training and duties.

On the other hand, most Home Team personnel are stationed at locations where commercial meal options are accessible and fresh rations from cookhouses are not available. Hence, a meal allowance is provided to them instead. Home Team personnel based in training institutes with access to cookhouses do not receive an additional meal allowance.

In the SAF, a small group of NSFs perform operational roles at locations without SAF cookhouses. In such cases, the NSF may request to receive fresh rations while on duty, if they so desire, and arrangements will be made. For the minority of SAF NSFs that stay out of camp, the monthly NS allowance already provides for their basic personal upkeep, including the cost of meals.

We have reviewed the NS allowance four times over the past decade to ensure that it remains adequate and will continue to do so regularly.

NSFs who require further assistance due to personal circumstances are supported through the Financial Assistance Scheme. I encourage any NSF facing difficulties to speak with their commanders.