Source: www.ns.sg

Deferment for Full-time Studies
Under the Enlistment Act, NS-liable persons are enlisted at the earliest opportunity upon turning 18 years old. For those who are studying, MINDEF does allow some flexibility for them to complete their full-time studies up to the GCE 'A' Levels or Polytechnic Diploma (or their equivalent), both locally and overseas, before enlisting for NS. Those who have already embarked on their full-time studies but who do not meet the deferment conditions, will have to disrupt their studies and be enlisted for NS at the earliest opportunity scheduled by the Central Manpower Base (CMPB), including those who take up Singapore Permanent Residency in the midst of their studies.


Local Studies in Government Schools
   
GCE 'A' Level Studies and International Baccalaureate (IB) Studies

NS-liable persons will be granted deferment for GCE 'A' Level and IB studies (and their equivalent) at Junior Colleges/ Millennia Institute/ Integrated Programme (IP) schools if they are able to commence the course* before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 students), as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

* For NS-liable persons who are pursuing their GCE 'A' Levels or IB in the IP schools, the deferment cut-off age will apply to the 5th year of study.

Exceptions may be considered for students who do not meet these deferment cut-off ages, but are able to gain admission into Junior Colleges/ Millennia Institute/ IP schools.

NS-liable persons who are returning from overseas and who wish to pursue studies in Junior Colleges/ Millennia Institute/ IP schools must seek prior approval from CMPB. They must do so before applying through the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans - Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute (SPERS-JC/MI), or before applying directly to the Junior Colleges/ Millennia Institute/ IP Schools. Persons who are deemed to have already attained a first education bar qualification (defined as GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications), be it locally or overseas, will not be granted deferment to pursue another first education bar qualification or another qualification below first education bar.

Persons who have failed their General Paper (GP)/ Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) or obtained less than 3 H2 passes (excluding KI) in one sitting of the GCE 'A' Level examination will be considered for further deferment to repeat their GCE 'A' Level studies on a full-time basis, subject to one repeat only. Persons who have failed to attain the IB qualification will also be considered for further deferment to repeat their IB studies on a full-time basis, subject to one repeat only.

Polytechnic Diploma Studies

NS-liable persons will be granted deferment for Polytechnic Diploma studies (including Polytechnic Diploma through the Polytechnic Foundation Programme) and its equivalent qualifications (e.g. courses at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) or the LaSalle College of the Arts) if they are able to commence the course before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 students), as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

NS-liable persons who graduated with NITEC/Higher NITEC qualification from ITE Colleges will be granted deferment for Polytechnic Diploma studies and its equivalent qualifications if they are able to commence the course before 21 years old as at 1st January of the course commencement year. Applications for deferment from ITE graduates who are above 21 years old as at 1st January of their course commencement year will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

NS-liable persons who are returning from overseas and who wish to pursue Polytechnic Diploma studies and its equivalent qualifications must seek prior approval from CMPB before applying for their intended course of study. Persons who are deemed to have already attained a first education bar qualification (defined as GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications), be it locally or overseas, will not be granted deferment to pursue another first education bar qualification or another qualification below first education bar.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Diploma Studies

NS-liable persons who completed NITEC or Higher NITEC studies at ITE Colleges, will be granted deferment to pursue the Technical Engineer Diploma (TED) or Technical Diploma (TD) programmes at ITE Colleges if they are able to commence the course before 21 years old, as at 1st January of the course commencement year. They will be granted deferment to complete the academic phase only, and will be enlisted for full-time NS at the earliest opportunity upon completion of the academic phase. Deferment will not be granted for work attachments and internships. Applications for deferment from ITE graduates who are above 21 years old as at 1st January of their course commencement year will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

NS-liable persons who are returning from overseas and who wish to pursue ITE Diploma studies must seek prior approval from CMPB before applying for their intended course of study. Persons who are deemed to have already attained a first education bar qualification (defined as GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications), be it locally or overseas, will not be granted deferment to pursue another first education bar qualification or another qualification below first education bar.

NITEC and Higher NITEC Studies

NS-liable persons will be granted deferment for NITEC or Higher NITEC courses at ITE Colleges if they are able to commence the course before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 students), as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

NS-liable persons who graduated with NITEC qualification from ITE Colleges will also be granted deferment for Higher NITEC courses if they are able to commence the course at ITE Colleges before 20 years old, as at 1st January of the course commencement year.

NS-liable persons who are returning from overseas and who wish to pursue NITEC or Higher NITEC studies at ITE Colleges must seek prior approval from CMPB before applying for their intended course of study. Persons who are deemed to have already attained a first education bar qualification (defined as GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications), be it locally or overseas, will not be granted deferment to pursue another first education bar qualification or another qualification below first education bar.

GCE 'O' and 'N' Level Courses

NS-liable persons will generally be granted deferment to pursue GCE 'O' and 'N' Level studies at government, government-aided or independent secondary schools.

An extension of deferment may be granted for those who wish to repeat their GCE 'N' or 'O' Level studies on a full-time basis, subject to one repeat only.

Local Private Courses

NS-liable persons who graduated before September 2011 may be granted deferment to pursue full-time studies (up to the GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications) at private institutions registered with the Council for Private Education (CPE), if they are able to commence the course before 18 years old, as at 1st January of the course commencement year. NS-liable persons graduating from September 2011 onwards may be granted deferment to pursue full-time studies (up to the GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent qualifications) at private institutions registered with the CPE, if they are able to commence their courses before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 & ITE students), as at 1st January of the course commencement year. The higher cut-off age will apply to courses commencing from 1st January 2012 onwards.

Deferment for private courses will be considered on a stage-by-stage basis (i.e. a Certificate course and a Diploma course, if packaged together, will be treated as separate courses for the purpose of granting deferment). A new application for deferment must be made before the commencement of a new stage of studies. Deferment for the new stage of studies will be subject to the same cut-off age stated in the preceding paragraph.

Overseas Studies
   
NS-liable persons who graduated before September 2011 may be granted deferment to pursue full-time overseas studies (up to the GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or their equivalent qualifications) if they are able to commence the course before 18 years old, as at 1st January of the course commencement year. NS-liable persons graduating from September 2011 onwards may be granted deferment to pursue full-time overseas studies (up to the GCE 'A' Levels, Polytechnic Diploma or their equivalent qualifications) if they are able to commence their courses before 19 years old (for Secondary 4 students) or 20 years old (for Secondary 5 & ITE students), as at 1st January of the course commencement year. The higher cut-off age will apply to courses commencing from 1st January 2012 onwards.

NS-liable persons will be required to apply for an exit permit for overseas trips of 3 months and longer and will be required to furnish a bond of $75,000 or an amount equivalent to 50% of the combined annual gross income of both parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

Application for Deferment
   
NS-liable persons may apply for deferment online at the NS portal (http://www.ns.sg) during NS registration and pre-enlistment documentation.

Those applying for deferment to pursue local studies may be required to furnish documentary proof for verification upon CMPB's request. Upon CMPB's request, they will be required to submit to CMPB a letter from their school certifying their enrolment, their course of study, as well as their course commencement and completion dates.

Those applying for deferment to pursue overseas studies must submit to CMPB a letter from their school certifying their enrolment, their course of study as well as their course commencement and completion dates. In addition, they must submit their parents' Income Tax Notices of Assessment (both local and overseas) for the preceding year.

Those who subsequently wish to pursue or switch to a new course or institution must seek prior approval from CMPB.

Notes: The information provided in this website are general guidelines. For further details, you may wish to contact the NS Call Centre at [email protected] or Tel: 1800-3676767 (eNSNSNS).

SAF Personnel Services Centre (SAFPSC):

http://saf.creativembassy.com/aboutus_safpsc.html

You can nicely tell your OC/ S1 Manpower Officer/ Chief Clerk that since HQ Guards is under the Guards Formation, it is the most optimal and minimal way for posting you to Dieppe Barracks. Afterall, it is still part of the Guards Family anyway.

SAF Financial Assistance Schemes to NSFs

Should you and your family face financial hardship, you can apply for financial assistance. The quantum of financial assistance is the difference between your family’s minimum subsistence level and monthly income. It’s best to talk to your officer on how to apply for this scheme upon enlistment.

Before his National Service (NS) enlistment, Private (PTE) Max Al-Fyan Yew bin Abdul Hafiz Yew drew a stable income of about $700 a month working in sales and was the breadwinner in his family. Hence, he was understandably worried when he learnt that his monthly NS allowance would be half of what he used to earn.

Fortunately, with the intercession of his superiors in the SAF, the SAF Personnel Services Centre (SAFPSC) was able to help him through SAF Financial Assistance Schemes. Said the supply assistant of Supply Hub East: "I’m thankful for the extra $600 that I receive every month on top of my regular NS allowance as it has greatly contributed to the payment of my family’s bills."

1st Warrant Officer (1WO) Kng Ter Sern, Officer-in-Charge Asset Management Team, Pasir Ris Camp, went one step further by following up on PTE Yew’s case when his initial Term Financial Assistance Scheme expired. Said 1WO Kng: "Caring for our soldiers is one of the SAF core values...when Max’s initial financial assistance scheme ended in December last year, I conducted a house visit and recommended that he receive further financial help from the SAF."

PTE Yew is just one of many examples of how the welfare schemes administered by the SAFPSC have benefitted around 65,000 in-service personnel of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF, as well as Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen).

"The SAFPSC’s primary role is to strategise and design welfare structures in order to support the SAF’s philosophy on welfare... We believe in the virtues of commitment and engagement, and to achieve that, we are concerned with the well-being of personnel and their families," said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Koa Boon Teck, Head of SAFPSC.

As secretariat to the SAF Welfare Council, the SAFPSC introduces, implements and reviews the proposed welfare schemes and services. Its welfare efforts cover five broad areas: health care, work-life balance, finance, vacations and insurance.

On the SAFPSC's latest efforts in improving welfare support, LTC (NS) Koa said: "We want to move away from the mental model of welfare as a reactive element, where people subscribe to welfare only when they are in need..we felt that there was an impetus to changing the image of welfare."

Here are some of the latest welfare initiatives spearheaded by the SAF Welfare Council and the SAFPSC:

SAF Central Welfare Fund Bursary Awards
2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Tanusha Tan of Headquarters 9th Division, whose 19-year-old daughter, Natasha, received the Bursary Award at the polytechnic level worth $1,200 last year, remembers her daughter being ecstatic at receiving the notification of her successful application.

"It was a very good morale booster for Natasha, and it will surely further encourage her to do well," added 2WO Tan.

Starting from February this year, the award, which is given to the children of MINDEF/SAF personnel to recognise their academic excellence up to the local degree level, now has a qualifying family income cap of $4,000 levied on each level of study, compared to the previous staggered qualifying income caps across all levels of study. In addition, the quantum awarded for all levels of study, less the junior colleges, polytechnics and local universities, has been increased.

SAF holidays/ vacation spots
The SAF Seaview Resort, Bintan Lagoon Resort & Golf Club, as well as the Joondalup Bungalows in Perth, Australia, are examples of resorts which recently underwent their first major revamp to ensure the highest levels of modernity and aesthetic appeal for holiday-makers.

More exciting locations have also been added to the stable of SAF vacation spots, including the Amara Sanctuary Sentosa, Ascott Kuala Lumpur and Club Bali. This means that active servicemen and NSmen can enjoy relaxing stays at a wider array of resorts, at exclusive prices of up to 60 percent below published rates.

In addition, a new travel portal will soon be introduced to allow MINDEF/SAF personnel and NSmen greater flexibility, choice and cost savings when booking rooms, airfares, car rental and even travel insurance when they go on vacations. Named Free Independent Travel, the interactive and user-friendly one-stop portal will be launched tentatively on 1 Apr.

SAF Group Term Life (GTL) Insurance Scheme
From 1 Jan 09 onwards, the scheme automatically covers newly-recruited MINDEF/SAF personnel for $100,000, and now has a maximum coverage of up to $600,000, unless they choose to opt out. Spouses and dependants are included in the coverage, which extends beyond the serviceman’s stay in MINDEF/SAF. NSmen are also eligible for the competitively-priced scheme.

More information can be obtained via the Aviva-SAF Insurance Infoline at 68278000.

SAF Financial Assistance Schemes
Last September, monetary lifelines such as the Term Financial Assistance Scheme, which aims to alleviate the financial stresses of servicemen, were improved. This scheme, which helps needy NSFs, had its period of assistance extended from six months till the serviceman's Operationally Ready Date but subjected to review after 12 months. A term financial loan scheme was also launched for needy servicemen.

100% subsidy for Defensive Riding Course (DRC)
As of 1 Oct 09, the DRC, which is designed specifically for MINDEF/SAF personnel, became fully subsidised. Held at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) located in Woodlands, the half-day course aims to encourage road safety among those who regularly commute to work or perform despatch duties by motorcycle.

*Applications for most of the welfare schemes can be found on the Integrated Welfare Applications and Disbursement System (iWADS) on the MINDEF/SAF intranet. All queries should be directed to the SAFPSC. Their numbers can be found via the iWADS.

Please call the 24/7 NS hotline at 1800-3676767 to tell the Customer Service Officer that you want to voluntary sign up for the VA selection.

It is as simple as that.

Have you consider this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seletar_Aerospace_Park

http://www.jtc.gov.sg/RealEstateSolutions/Seletar-Aerospace-Park/Pages/default.aspx

It is standard policy to post downgraded NSFs within the NS unit itself or among the NS units sharing the camp as much as possible to reduce administrative paperwork/ logistics matters/ problems. This is called internal transfer.

Nevertheless, there might be an option for you. But it is dependable on your communication skills for you to seek assistance at the S1 Manpower Branch to speak to the Manpower Officer/ Chief Clerk to request/ persuade them because there is 1 more camp under Guards. It is HQ Guards at Dieppe Barracks along Sembawang Road.

You should bring along all relevant medical reports, investigation results, medications that you are currently taking etc. This will allow the Medical Officer to get all the relevant medical information and manage your case appropriately.

If there is insufficient information available at the time of your medical consultation, you may have to return for repeat medical appointments, after more information becomes available (e.g. after a latest specialist report is obtained from your hospital).

A Medical Review is a medical consultation convened whenever a serviceman has a change in the status of a current medical condition, or if he develops a new medical condition, which may affect his ability to fulfill his NS liabilities. A medical review can either be initiated by the individual (known as Self-initiated) or by the NS Unit (Unit-initiated).

Situations whereby the individual initiates a Self-initiated medical review include:

    He develops a new medical condition (e.g. slipped disc, high blood pressure, surgery for a medical condition). In such situations, he should bring all relevant medical documents for his medical review by the SAF Medical Officer. The SAF Medical Officer can then assess the condition, and recommend a medical downgrade, if appropriate.

    He has a long-term medical excuse for the same injury and the period coincides with a NS activity that he is unable to attend. He should see the SAF medical officer to document his medical excuse, and ascertain whether he is fit to attend the NS activity.


Situations whereby the unit makes a Unit-initiated medical review include:

    Serviceman has a temporary PES status that has expired and he is due for a medical review by a SAF Medical Officer.

    Serviceman has a service injury requiring a medical review to prepare for a Permanent Disability Board.

    Serviceman has a medical condition necessitating a medical review to prepare for a Medical Board.

A Medical Board is a session conducted to evaluate the medical condition of a serviceman and to:
a. review his PES grade;
b. recommend a change of vocation or restriction of duties on medical grounds;
c. endorse his extended-period medical certificate; or
d. determine permanent disability if he has sustained service-related injuries.

A serviceman is required to undergo a Medical Review prior to a Medical Board. This allows the unit Medical Officer to gather sufficient information (e.g. specialist medical reports, investigation results) so that the Medical Board can make a decision on the PES grade. Depending on the complexity of your condition, more than one review may be required.

Medical Boards cannot be booked using the eMedAppt module. Medical Board appointments can only be made by a Medical Officer when your medical information is complete and all investigation results are back.

You have the option to either be present or absent at your medical board. For your convenience and in clear-cut cases, your Medical Officer may give you the option of not being present for your medical board (i.e. having a Board in Absentia). You can however still choose to be present during your Medical Board in such cases. However, for complicated cases, you are required to be present during your medical board (i.e. Board in Presence).

Medical Board generally take place once a month.

You can check your latest up-to-date PES using the eHealth module @ www.ns.sg (for NSman Reservists).

Link: http://www.ns.sg/nsp/web/esvcs/mindef/ehealth/about

eHealth is an internet medical application designed to allow NSmen to manage and review common personal health matters in the SAF more conveniently.

Refer:

http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/409095

If you are 13 years old and above, you are subject to exit controls if you leave Singapore for 3 months or longer.

If you are between 13 and 16 1/2 years old

If you are overseas for 3 months or longer but less than 2 years, you need to apply for an exit permit.

If you are overseas for 2 years or more, you need to apply for an exit permit and a bond is also required. The bond amount is $75,000 or an amount equivalent to 50% of the combined annual gross income of both your parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

If you are above 16 1/2 and yet to be enlisted for NS

If you are overseas for 3 months or more, you need to apply for an exit permit and a bond is required. The bond amount is $75,000 or an amount equivalent to 50% of the combined annual gross income of both your parents for the preceding year, whichever is higher.

Why must MINDEF impose exit controls on NS-liable males?

Exit controls are necessary to ensure that NS-liable males who have gone overseas to study or reside at a young age return to fulfil their NS responsibilities.

Will young males aged 13 to 16.5 who fail to apply for an exit permit be sentenced to imprisonment?

The penalty for exit permit offences of young males aged 13 to 16.5 will be a fine of up to $2,000, with no custodial sentences. They will however be subjected to harsher penalties should they continue to breach of the Enlistment Act after age 16.5.

Males above 16.5 years who travel and remain overseas without applying for an exit permit would have committed an offence under the Enlistment Act. They will be liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.

National-service-liable males who migrated from Singapore before age 11 and have not enjoyed significant socio-economic benefits of citizenship (e.g., applied for a Singapore identity card or studied in Singapore beyond the age of 11) are allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenship, but not before they turn 21.

Until then, they are required to register for national service with Central Manpower Base and apply for a deferment.

After turning 21, they are then eligible to renounce their Singapore citizenship.

Generally, those who left Singapore after the age of 11 will be deemed to have enjoyed the socio-economic benefits of Singapore. They will not be allowed to renounce their Singapore citizenship without fulfilling NS obligations.

... sure to provide your updated / preferred mailing address. For CPF withdrawal procedures, please contact the CPF directly or visit their website at www.cpf.gov.sg ADDITIONAL NOTES IF YOU ...

Dual citizenship is generally not recognised in Singapore, but is possible up to the age of 22. Such dual citizens may have acquired citizenship by birth in a foreign country, from a foreign citizen parent, or by naturalisation. Singaporean citizens who acquire citizenship of a foreign country after the age of 18 may lose Singaporean citizenship. Foreigners who naturalise as Singaporean citizens are required to renounce all foreign citizenships. Minors who are dual or multiple citizens by birth on foreign soil, by descent from foreign parents or by naturalisation are required to renounce all foreign citizenships by the age of 22 or may lose their Singaporean citizenship.

The prohibition of dual citizenship is a contentious issue in Singapore. As the economy becomes more globalized and Singaporeans more mobile, many Singaporeans have acquired foreign citizenships and reluctantly renounced their Singaporean citizenship even though they may feel a strong emotional attachment to Singapore. Immigrants who have been resident in Singapore for long periods and qualify for Singaporean citizenship may be reluctant to become naturalized citizens as it would mean giving up the citizenship of their native countries. Those who are dual citizens at birth may find it unjust that they are denied their birthright to citizenship of other countries where they were born or that of their parents. Male dual citizens are also not allowed to renounce Singaporean citizenship after the age of 11 and before attaining majority at the age of 21, such that they have to serve National Service at the age of 18 for a country to whom allegiance they may almost immediately abjure.

The government's rationale for not allowing dual citizenship is that Singapore is a young and vulnerable nation which cannot afford to allow its citizens multiple allegiances which may be compromised in times of national crisis. Citizens without a second citizenship may feel aggrieved if dual citizens enjoy the benefits of citizenship during periods of wealth but leave the country in trying times. Nevertheless, the government is open to the possibility of allowing dual citizenship if local and global circumstances demand so.

Male Singaporeans cannot renounce citizenship until completing national service.

Tue, Sep 06, 2011
AsiaOne.com

SINGAPORE - Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, the Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts, has refuted online speculation that his son will not serve National Service (NS).

Dr Yaacob's 16-year-old son carries dual citizenship in Singapore and the United States. He was issued US citizenship as his mother is an American citizen by birth.

The issue of his son's citizenship was made public when a leaked US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks identified the minister's two children as US citizens.

It then made its way into online forums where some netizens speculated that Dr Yaacob's son will not serve NS. Other netizens called for Dr Yaacob to clarify the matter.

Dr Yaacob's press secretary confirmed yesterday that the minister's son will serve NS just as his father did.

What the cable said:

"Yaacob Ibrahim has been Minister of Environment and Water Resources since 2004, following two years as Minister of Community Development and Sports. In 2002, he was appointed Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs.

"He was first elected to parliament in 1997 and was quickly promoted to the sub-cabinet position of Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Communications in 1998.

"In December 2004, he was selected Vice Chairman of the People's Action Party's policy-making Central Executive Committee.

"Since his college days, Yaacob has been very involved in Singapore's Muslim organizations. He was a youth member of the Muslim Missionary Society (Jamiyah) and is a long-time volunteer at MENDAKI (the leading Malay/Muslim education self-help group linked to the government).

"He was also actively involved with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), serving on its council from 1992-1996. As Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, he has encouraged community organizations to specialize and avoid duplication of services. He has also been given a role in Singapore's outreach effort to the Middle East.

"In 2004, he led two business delegations to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt. While in Egypt, he met with Singaporeans studying at Al-Azhar University, as part of the government's efforts to ensure that its citizens studying in the Middle East keep Islamic teachings in a Singapore context.

"Several contacts have asserted that, since his hajj in February 2004, Yaacob has become less of an integrationist. These contacts said he has come to believe that there were two distinct spheres in Singaporean society: public and private.

"While he envisioned that Singaporeans of all races would continue to interact in the public sphere in areas of common interest, they could choose to limit their private interactions to people of the same race and religion.

"Dr. Yaacob was born in Singapore on October 3, 1955, the fourth of nine children of a minor civil servant.

"All of his siblings have excelled as professionals. His eldest brother was the first Malay chosen as a Presidential scholar and a younger sister is political editor for the Straits Times.

"He graduated from the University of Singapore with a Civil Engineering degree in 1980. He obtained a scholarship to do his Ph.D. at Stanford University.

"He graduated in 1989 and worked subsequently as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Cornell University. His wife is an American citizen who grew up in Puerto Rico.

"Yaacob told emboff that he has a more open-minded interpretation of the Koran and said his wife converted to Islam to satisfy the conservative standards of Singapore. They have two children, both American citizens, and they travel to the U.S. frequently to visit his wife's family."

Refer:

1. http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/455920

2. http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/422850

3. http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/315302

Source: http://singapore.usembassy.gov/dual_nationality.html

While recognizing the existence of dual nationality, the U.S. Government does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Dual nationality may hamper efforts by the U.S. Government to provide diplomatic and consular protection to individuals overseas.  When a U.S. citizen is in the other country of their dual nationality, that country has a predominant claim on the person.  A foreign country might claim you as a citizen of that country if (a) you were born there; (b) your parent or parents (and sometimes grandparents) are or were citizens of that country or (c) you are a naturalized U.S. citizen but are still considered a citizen under that country’s laws.  (The oath you take when you are naturalized as a U.S. citizen (8 CFR 337.1) doesn’t mean the foreign country does not still regard you as a citizen of that country.)  Public inquiries about the citizenship laws of other countries should be directed to the embassy or consulate of that country in the United States.  8 U.S.C. 1185(b) (Section 215(b) INA) and 22 CFR 53.1 require that U.S. citizens exit and enter the United States on a U.S. passport, with certain limited exceptions (22 CFR 53.2).

Under Singaporean law, an individual who automatically acquires Singaporean citizenship at birth retains that status even after acquiring U.S. citizenship. Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 21. 

If you wish to renounce your U.S. citizenship, please send an email with your full name, date, place of birth, U.S. passport number and residency status in Singapore to [email protected]

Further Information:

• Possible Loss of U.S.Citizenship and Foreign Military Service 
• Loss of Nationality and Taxation
• Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship

A U.S. citizen who is a resident or citizen of a foreign country may be subject to compulsory military service in that country. Although the United States recognizes the problems that may be caused by such foreign military service, there is little that we can do to prevent it since each sovereign country has the right to enact its own laws on military service and apply them as it sees fit to its citizens and residents.

Military service by U.S. citizens may cause problems in the conduct of our foreign relations since such service may involve U.S. citizens in hostilities against countries with which we are at peace. For this reason, U.S. citizens facing the possibility of foreign military service should do what is legally possible to avoid such service.

Federal statutes long in force prohibit certain aspects of foreign military service originating within the United States. The current laws are set forth in Section 958-960 of Title 18 of the United States Code. In Wiborg v. U.S. , 163 U.S. 632 (1896), the Supreme Court endorsed a lower court ruling that it was not a crime under U.S. law for an individual to go abroad for the purpose of enlisting in a foreign army; however, when someone has been recruited or hired in he United States, a violation may have occurred. The prosecution of persons who have violated 18 U.S.C. 958-960 is the responsibility of the Department of Justice.

Although a person's enlistment in the armed forces of a foreign country may not constitute a violation of U.S. law, it could subject him or her to Section 349(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1481(a)(3)] which provides for loss of U.S. nationality if an American voluntarily and with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship enters or serves in foreign armed forces engaged in hostilities against the United States or serves in the armed forces of any foreign country as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer.

Military service in foreign countries, however, usually does not cause loss of citizenship since an intention to relinquish citizenship normally is lacking.  In adjudicating loss of nationality cases, the Department has established an administrative presumption that a person serving in the armed forces of a foreign state not engaged in hostilities against the United States does not have the intention to  relinquish citizenship.  On the other hand, voluntary service in the armed forces of a state engaged in hostilities against the United States could be viewed as indicative of an intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship.

Pursuant to Section 351(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person who served in foreign armed forces while under the age of eighteen is not considered subject to the provisions of Section 349(a)(3) if, within six months of attaining the age of eighteen, he or she asserts a claim to United States citizenship in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.

See also information flyers on related subject available via the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page on the internet at http://travel.state.gov. These flyers include:

• Dual Nationality
• Advice About Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Seeking Public Office in a Foreign State
• Advice About Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Foreign Military Service
• Renunciation of United States Citizenship
• Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship by Persons Claiming a Right of Residence in the United States

QUESTIONS

For further information, please contact:

Express Mail:
Director
Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Legal Affairs (CA/OCS/L)
Overseas Citizens Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State
4th Floor
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone:  202-736-9110
Fax:  202-736-9111

Regular Mail
Director
Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Legal Affairs (CA/OCS/L)
Overseas Citizens Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State
SA-29, 4th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20520

01/10/2013

Refer:

http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/332155

National Servicemen can expect new measures to better motivate, support, and recognise them, as well to help them balance their NS commitments with their family and career commitments.

These aims were revealed by the Committee to Strengthen National Service on Wednesday, after it held its first meeting at the Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong. Over the next six months, the committee will gather ideas from servicemen and the public through focus group discussions and town hall sessions.

The public may also air their views on a new website www.strengthenNS.sg or through e-mail at [email protected].

The 20-member committee is chaired by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, and includes Members of Parliament, senior military personnel, employers, and NSmen. It was set up during this year's Committee of Supply Debate in March, which saw robust debate over how to better recognise National Servicemen in light of continued immigration and the need to preserve a Singapore core. In recent months, members of the public have responded to the news by calling for greater monetary incentives, including subsidies for transport, education and health, and time-off to rest after reservist in-camp training.

Over the next six months, Singaporeans will be asked for feedback on how to beef up National Service.

The Committee to Strengthen National Service, announced in March, will lead focus group discussions and town hall sessions while also conducting online consultation sessions via a new website, www.strengthenNS.sg

The Committee meeting for the first time today, expects its work to be done within a year.

Made up of 20 members, including Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Members of Parliament,military top brass and private sector employers, the committee will use the feedback gathered to recommend measures to enhance National Service as a critical institution for Singapore's continued survival and success.

The measures are meant to motivate servicemen to give their best in serving, help them balance their duties with family and work commitments, enhance support from families, companies, new citizens and the broader community, and promote recognition of servicemen's efforts.

Singaporeans could do a little better when it comes to making good food choices.

The National Nutrition Survey 2010 showed the mean cholesterol intake for adult Singapore residents was 341mg per day.

According to the Health Promotion Board, a person's intake of cholesterol should not exceed 300mg daily.

More than half, or 54.9 per cent, of respondents met or surpassed their recommended daily intake.

A plate of oyster omelette chalks up 350mg of cholesterol, while a teaspoon of butter contributes to 40mg.

Cholesterol in the body comes from two sources: 80 per cent of it is made in the liver and the rest comes from a person's diet. So people should watch their dietary cholesterol, which is contained in food such as eggs and shellfish.

In addition, two to three out of five to seven servings of carbohydrates eaten daily should come from wholegrain products.

These are good sources of soluble fibre which have the ability to bind cholesterol in the gut, reducing its absorption and increasing its excretion.

Also, not all fats are equal or equally bad. Eat saturated fats, found in dairy products and meat, sparingly as it increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the corresponding total cholesterol levels.

Avoid trans fats, made from the hydrogenation of vegetable oil, which lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and increases LDL cholesterol levels.

The best fats to consume are unsaturated fats as well as Omega-3 fatty acids.

What are the top five things one can do to have a cholesterol-lowering diet?

Know your meats

Choose leaner cuts of meat, such as loin or breast meat. Avoid sausages, Chinese sausages and luncheon meat.

Limit intake of red meat, such as beef, lamb, duck and goose, as they are higher in fat than white meat such as chicken and pork.

Remove skin and visible fat from poultry.

Choose healthier oils

Choose healthier oils for cooking, such as canola, olive and sunflower oils. Avoid tropical oils such as palm oil and coconut milk. Replace coconut milk or coconut cream used in cooking with skimmed milk or low-fat milk.

When eating out, ask for no or less oil to be added to food.

Be aware of cooking methods

Adopt healthier cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, grilling, roasting, baking and stewing, instead of deep frying. For example, it is healthier to eat grilled fish and baked potatoes instead of fish and chips.

Use a non-stick pan when cooking to reduce the use of cooking oil.

Scoop out the layer of solidified fat on top of chilled stews, casseroles and soups before heating up and serving.

When eating out, choose soupy dishes instead of fried dishes. For example, opt for beehoon soup instead of fried beehoon. Also, choose boiled wantons (dumplings) instead of fried ones.

Limit cholesterol-rich food

Eat animal organs, such as pig liver or kidneys, no more than once a month and even then, in small portions.

Consume egg yolks no more than thrice a week. Have seafood, such as shellfish, prawns and crabs, not more than twice a week.

Be a wise shopper

Choose products with the Healthier Choice Symbol as they are lower in total fats and saturated fats compared with other products in similar categories.

These products also have no trans fat or negligible amounts of it per serving.

Read the ingredient list to identify products that contain vegetable shortening and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, as they are high in saturated and trans fats. Choose these products less often.

Get a copy of Mind Your Body, The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

Mr Chua Tiat Beng, 55, who suffered a heart attack in 2009, is now doing all he can to keep his cholesterol in check. He exercises twice a week, has cut his intake of cholesterol-rich food and has reduced the number of cigarettes he smokes.

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans appear to be taking better care of their heart health, recent national figures suggest.

For instance, cholesterol levels have improved, particularly levels of so-called "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

The National Health Survey 2010 showed 15.2 per cent of Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 years had high levels of LDL in 2010, down from 20.3 per cent in 2004 and 29.1per cent in 1998, after adjusting for an older population as an ageing population would see higher rates of cholesterol.

It may be one of the reasons that the rate of heart attacks per 100,000 people has fallen, from 230 in 2008 to 217 in 2011, after adjusting for an older population, according to the Ministry of Health.

High cholesterol is one of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death worldwide. In Singapore, it accounted for one in three deaths in 2010.

There are other reasons as to why heart attack rates may have dropped, noted Dr Raymond Wong, a consultant at the cardiac department at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore.

The National Health Survey 2010 showed the prevalence of hypertension dropped from 32.5 per cent in 1998 to 23.5 per cent in 2010, after adjusting for an older population.

However, other risk factors for cardiovascular disease - obesity, diabetes, smoking and lack of regular exercise - have all gone up between 2004 and 2010.

These figures show that it is very likely the drop in cholesterol and hypertension rates are the main contributors to the fall in heart attack rates, said Dr Wong.

Dangers of high cholesterol

Cholesterol is necessary for the formation of healthy cells but it also contributes to atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of many cardiovascular diseases.

In atherosclerosis, excess cholesterol in circulation is deposited into cells in the artery walls and gradually forms a fatty deposit called plaque.

Atherosclerosis restricts blood flow through the narrowed artery, leading to symptoms of chest pain called angina.

When the plaque ruptures, a blood clot will form which may completely block blood flow in the artery.

LDL cholesterol transports cholesterol from the liver to tissues of the body. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - "good" cholesterol - removes excess cholesterol from the tissues and brings it back to the liver for removal from the body.

What the national survey does not show is how many people with hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol levels, have lowered their LDL levels through taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, said Dr Wong.

So it could well be that those already diagnosed with the condition are keeping it under control with medication.

Still, doctors are encouraged by the trend, which they feel is a sign of a population becoming more health conscious and aware of how to achieve good health.

While obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol all require a person to adopt healthier lifestyles, some lifestyle changes are easier to achieve than others.

Dr Wong pointed out that obesity is probably the hardest risk factor to manage, since there is no "magic bullet or drug" for one to lose weight.

Dr Tong Khim Leng, the chief of cardiology at Changi General Hospital (CGH), has observed more people being aware of the importance of regular exercise and a diet low in saturated fat.

And more people are finding out their cholesterol levels because of regular health screenings offered by company health insurance policies, said Dr Tan Chong Hiok, a senior consultant at Parkway Heart and Vascular Centre.

He said: "We are able to treat these patients earlier and data has shown that treating them with statin results in a relative risk reduction of up to 50 per cent in preventing cardiovascular disease."

Target cholesterol levels

Doctors say routine screening for cholesterol should start from 40 years of age, and even earlier for people with heart disease or multiple risk factors.

A person's target cholesterol level is dependent on his risk of cardiovascular disease, based on well-known risk factors such as age, ethnic group, smoking status, cholesterol and blood pressure. This can be calculated with a local version of the Framingham risk score.

The higher a person's risk, the lower will be the goal level for LDL cholesterol.

For instance, a high-risk patient, such as one who has heart disease, will need to keep his LDL cholesterol under 2.6 millimoles of cholesterol per litre of blood (mmol/L), compared with a low-risk patient whose target LDL cholesterol is under 4.1mmol/L.

Adjunct Assistant Professor David Foo, the head of the department of cardiology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said diabetes and smoking, coupled with high cholesterol, raise a person's cardiovascular risk because they damage blood vessel walls and make it more likely for blood clots to form.

Patients will always be advised to make lifestyle changes - lose weight, exercise regularly, stop smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.

If these do not improve their cholesterol levels enough, medication is prescribed, said doctors here.

Statins is the most common class of cholesterol-lowering medication, said doctors, with seven or eight out of 10 patients being put on statins.

In April 2009, businessman Chua Tiat Beng, 55, was behind the wheel of his car when he broke out in cold sweat and felt a tightness in his chest.

The father of two went straight to a general practitioner, who recognised the signs of an impending heart attack. At Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Mr Chua underwent an emergency angioplasty to unclog a blocked artery. While in hospital, he learned that the first health screening he had been to just a week before had picked up high cholesterol levels.

As he was also a smoker and above 45 years old, he was at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

He said: "When people are not sick, they never heed good advice."

He now smokes less, watches his diet, jogs twice a week and takes cholesterol-lowering medication and aspirin to prevent clots from forming around the stent. A blood test last December gave him a clean bill of health.

[email protected]

Get a copy of Mind Your Body, The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.