RETIRED ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL (Assistance to secure new jobs)

Mr Chia Shi Teck asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many full-time personnel of the armed forces retired yearly at the age of 45 from 1989 to 1993; (b) how does his Ministry help these retirees secure jobs; and (c) whether many of them cannot get suitable jobs and thus fall out of the job market.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Only a small percentage of full-time personnel retire yearly at the age of 45. For security reasons, MINDEF is unable to disclose the exact figures requested. The turnover allows the SAF to maintain its combat readiness, and maintain a good balance between experience and youth among regular servicemen.

SAF servicemen generally do not face difficulty in obtaining jobs in the private sector when they leave the SAF. SAF servicemen are good organisers, work well in teams and possess discipline, diligence, perseverance and good work attitudes. These qualities coupled with strong demand in the job market make it very unlikely that they would fall out of the job market.

Notwithstanding this, the SAF is committed to help retiring servicemen phase into their second career. Servicemen interested in venturing into business are provided specially packaged courses on setting up businesses, and on specific topics such as import and export procedures, life insurance and real estate. Servicemen can also opt for external courses at subsidized rates and will be eligible for half pay for up to 6 months if these courses are conducted during office hours. Alternatively under a pre-release employment programme, servicemen can go on half pay leave for up to 6 months during which time they can take up full-time paid employment in a private company.

The SAF also provides information to servicemen on employment opportunities collated from civilian employers in the market. A monthly bulletin incorporating the latest inputs are sent to all SAF units for dissemination to servicemen who are due for release.

Under a new scheme announced recently, SAF servicemen are also encouraged to take up teaching as a second career. With their military background and experience, they can help provide a more rounded education to our students, particularly in physical fitness training and in inculcating a spirit of adventure by serving as male role models. Similar schemes will be established with other suitable organisations to make good use of the experience and training of ex-SAF servicemen.