Q1: Why are pre-enlistees and National Servicemen subject to exit controls?
Exit
controls are necessary to regulate overseas travel to maintain
operational readiness and to ensure that national servicemen who go
overseas remain contactable to facilitate recall in times of emergency.
Exit controls also provide a psychological reminder of a national
serviceman's NS obligations.
Q2: Why is there a need for NSmen to notify MNC of overseas trips of more than 24 hours and less than 6 months?
During
peacetime, information collected by the MNC is used by units for
mobilisation planning and to report daily recallable strength during
standby.
When the rapid mobilisation of NSmen is required, the
information captured by the MNC can be used by the SAF to contact and
recall NSmen who are overseas quickly.
Q3: Why did MINDEF
decide to exempt NSmen who have completed their Operationally Ready
National Service (ORNS) training cycle and have been phased into the
MINDEF Reserve (MR) from notifying MNC?
Exempting NSmen who
have completed their ORNS training cycle and have been phased into the
MR from MNC requirements enhances convenience for NSmen who are unlikely
to be called up for ORNS whilst maintaining it for those who are
required to to be operationally ready at a short notice. This is a
balanced approach that enhances convenience for NSmen without affecting
the SAF's operational readiness. This is also in line with MINDEF's
efforts to recognise NSmen who have actively served and completed their
ORNS.
Q4: How would an NSman know if he has completed his ORNS training cycle and have been phased into the MR?
MINDEF
will be writing to inform NSmen who have already completed their ORNS
training cycle and are in the MR that they will be exempted from
notifying the MNC. Going forward, all NSmen who have completed their
ORNS training cycle and are due to be phased into the MR will also be
informed that they no longer need to notify MNC.
Q5: Will NSmen who have not been called up to serve ORNS be exempted from mandatory notification?
There
are some NSmen who are not called up for ORNS as they belong to defunct
vocations or are medically unfit for ORNS. Such NSmen are not
considered to have completed their ORNS training cycle and would be
required to notify the MNC until they reach the statutory age of 40 (for
non-officers) and 50 (for officers).
Q6: How can NSmen notify MNC of their overseas trips?
NSmen can notify MNC via the following channels:
- Telephone: 1800 3676767 (eNSNSNS)
- SMS: 36767 (eNSNS)
- Fax: 6853-7894
- Internet: http://www.ns.sg
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail ( MINDEF eServices, 5 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, NCS Hub, Singapore 569141)
Q7: What is the penalty for failing to notify the MNC of overseas trips of more than 24 hours and less than 6 months?
NSmen
who fail to notify the MNC would have committed an offence under the
Enlistment Regulations. NSmen who persist in not notifying the MNC will
be served with a composition fine. Recalcitrant offenders may be
prosecuted in court and be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
$2,000.
Q8: Why did MINDEF decide to relax EP controls for NSFs and will this affect the operational readiness of the SAF?
MINDEF
has decided to relax exit controls for NSFs as there are already
sufficient controls in place to ensure that they fulfil their full-time
NS obligations. NSFs are subject to disciplinary controls under the SAF
Act and would be liable for the offence of AWOL or desertion if they
fail to report for duty. NSFs are also subject to leave policies and
will be required to fill in their contact details during leave
application. As such, MINDEF is able to exempt NSFs from EP for short
trips of less than 3 months. This will enhance convenience for NSFs
making short overseas trips over the weekends or whilst on leave.
Q9: Will NSFs who are on disruption be affected by this policy change?
This
policy change will also apply to NSFs who are disrupted for their
studies. Such NSF disruptees will similarly be required to apply for an
EP only for overseas trips of 3 months or longer.
Q10: Why were NSmen required to surrender their EPs and what has changed for this requirement to be removed?
NSmen
were required to surrender their EPs upon their return to Singapore as
an indication of their permanent return to Singapore. This enabled the
SAF to schedule them for ORNS activities without undue delay. Going
forward, MINDEF will leverage on the system linkage between the EP
System and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's Exit-Entry
Control Upgraded System to detect NSmen who have returned to Singapore
in order to schedule them for ORNS activities.
Q11: How can NSFs and NSmen apply for an EP?
EP applications may be made through the following:
- Internet: http://www.ns.sg
- Exit Permit Office (Central Manpower Base, 3 Depot Road, Singapore 109680)
Q12: What is the penalty for going overseas without a valid EP?
National
Servicemen who remain overseas without a valid EP would have committed
an offence under the Enlistment Act. Initial EP offenders may be served
with composition fines. Recalcitrant offenders will be charged in court
and on conviction be liable to a fine of up to $10,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.