| NEWS ARCHIVES |
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| New branch of service introduced in SAF |
| 23 Nov 2009 |
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Parliament has passed amendments to the Singapore Armed Forces Act that will see a new branch of service introduced.
The Military Domain Experts Scheme or M-DES (prono: m-dess), will provide serving and new personnel in vocations such as engineering and nursing a structured career track that has its own military ranks.
The M-DES personnel will be known as "military experts" and will be offered a later retirement age of 60, up from the current 45 or 50.
They will also be given opportunities to further their studies or hone their skills in specialised fields.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said M-DES is a response to human resource challenges faced by the SAF currently.
"The demographic and educational profile of our population is changing. The number of Singaporeans aged 17 to 25 entering the workforce each year will start to decline from the year 2015 onwards. Also young Singaporeans entering the workforce today are better educated and aspire for more challenging and responsible jobs that are commensurate with their qualifications. "
Mr Teo adds that M-DES will enable SAF personnel to pick up knowledge and skills essential to performing in a high-tech, third generation defence force.
Ang Mo Kio GRC Lam Pin Min and Nominated MP Paulin Tay Straughan asked if the new military experts will be accorded the same respect in the defence force as combat personnel.
Mr Teo responded that the M-DES personnel will be in uniform and will serve along side officers and warrant officers.
"Military experts will be accorded the status and regimental practices similar to their officer and warrant officer counterparts. And as they are uniformed military personnel, their status and salutation will be commensurate with their rank and appointment. "
Other amendments to the SAF Act include raising the retirement age for officers to 50, and giving more responsibilities to warrant officers.
The changes will take effect from the 1st of April next year. |