SAF: Beacon of progress or definition of excess?

SAF: Beacon of progress or definition of excess?

I suggest that SAF peg its reservist pay to the higher of 1/2 to 2/3 of regular svc man salary for rank/ vocation OR svc man's regular civilian salary.

Currently:

(see NS portal: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/nsmen/admin/PayMatters.html for details)

“The following categories of NSmen are NOT eligible to claim make-up pay:

NSman who is employed and on leave/no pay leave during NS training
NSman is not eligible to claim make-up pay, as he does not suffer any loss in civilian income during the period of his NS training. He will be paid service pay.

NSman who is unemployed or is a student
NSman is not eligible to claim make-up pay, as he does not suffer any loss in civilian income during his period of NS training. He will be paid service pay.

This policy improvement is crucial to raise the overall profile of SAF as a formidable force through fair and progressive human resource practises.

Greater soldier loyalty and morale of NS men can only be attained through soldier perception of SAF as a fair and committed 'employer'.

Such equitable policy changes would also result in costs savings through better soldier performance due to their respect and faith in the improved organizational practises.

An urgent boost to the morale of our NS men during these difficult economic times is crucial to the continued credibility of our fighting forces, to this end, the perception of organizational fairness , leadership and integrity is integral.

NS men who are retrenched, unemployed, a student or engaging in relatively lesser paid jobs would certainly feel disgruntled by low NS pay considering that they are already already fully trained and completed their 2-2.5 yr NSF liability. The feeling of being exploited by virtue of their unfortunate circumstance is stressful. The reservist training period deprives one the opportunity of better employment, study and personal time by virtue of it's committed and restrictive nature.

Disgruntled soldiers can only be a detriment to the organization considering the insidious damage caused. Failing morale, lack of attentiveness to safety and detail, unfair human resources practises and personal interest would surely lead to the downfall of the Singapore armed forces.

May not just a dead soldier enjoy a regular soldier's privileges.

http://www.getformesingapore.com/previous2007/220707_compensationfordeadandinjuredsafservicemen.htm - “Minister Teo: I thank Mr Siew Kum Hong for his questions on compensation as it allows MINDEF to clarify our compensation framework. MINDEF applies similar principles and practices used by the civil courts or the Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA) to determine compensation for deaths and injuries due to service. Based on these principles, MINDEF's compensation framework for death consists of up to three components. The first …

… . The second component is a lump sum death gratuity. For NSFs and NSmen, MINDEF treats them like regulars and gives a minimum of one year's basic pay for a regular of the same rank. … ...”

In this day and age of change, strength lies not just in numbers.

May the policy change :).