YET another round of benefits for operationally ready national servicemen is being considered (“NSmen to get more perks in health care, housing, education; April 25).
This is all well and good, coming after year-on-year enhancements following feedback gathered from public dialogues and advisory committees.
However, not every NSman can be consulted and there are those whose grievances remain unheard.
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) should be mindful that it does not unwittingly arouse resentment.
My NS unit, 92 SIR, completed the full 13-year in-camp training (ICT) cycle – with nine high-key years between 1981 and 1991, which included overseas training – unlike today’s 10-year cycle with fewer high-key requirements.
We served 21/2 years of full-time NS, which was the norm then. Also, the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) award then was a mere $30.
Besides ICTs, we had many other obligations: IPPTs, routine reporting, mobilisation exercises (pre-Internet/mobile phone era), additional battalion exercises and skills upgrading for certain personnel.
My unit even won the best reserve infantry battalion combat readiness award on one occasion.
We are too young to qualify for the Pioneer Generation Package, yet overlooked for the slew of increasingly juicy benefits and rewards accorded to the newer NS reserve units over the years.
We seem to have become the forgotten men whose duty to fight for Singapore has been taken for granted.
The year-long free Safra membership for all NSmen was truly appreciated, but it was a blunderbuss approach that did not differentiate between the truly committed individuals and the mediocre performers.
I suggest that Mindef review and enhance its recognition gestures, particularly for outstanding individuals who were called to perform or volunteered beyond their mandatory ICTs, as well as key appointment holders.
Whether through Central Provident Fund top-ups or, ideally, a one-off cash payout, my peers, the majority of whom have heavy family commitments and are burdened with health ailments, will surely appreciate such a gesture.
Michael Gerald Hong
* Letter first appeared in ST Forum (3 May).