Lost M16 rifle found 32 hours later
SINGAPORE: A National Serviceman lost his M16 rifle during training at about 12.45 early Friday morning
Fortunately, the weapon was found at 8.40 Saturday morning - some 32 hours later.
The incident happened during a night navigation exercise in the Lower Mandai Reserve for section leader trainees.
It is believed the soldier lost the rifle amongst thick undergrowth in Mandai.
Some 400 servicemen were deployed in the search operation.
When contacted, a Mindef spokesperson said, they are conducting investigations.
By Rita Zahara, Channel NewsAsia
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Cash bonuses for NSmen in pipeline
All 700,000 men who have served can expect between $100 and $200 if plan gets OK
The 700,00 Singapore men here who have done National Service can expect a cash bonus when the Government conducts its next exercise to share the nation's bounty.
This "gesture of appreciation" is being proposed to the Government, for Parliament to decide in the coming Budget debate, due in late February. If the proposal is accepted, those who have served NS can expect between $100 and $200 in cash.
Other ways of recognising service have also been proposed.
Among them: A new Safra clubhouse in Jurong, to open by 2009, and a meuseum on National Service to showcase their contributions.
While the cash bonus is a one-off award to commemorate the 40th anniversary of National Service (NS), another proposal calls for those who have completed their in-camp training - usually after a 10-year period - to also get some money. This is also expected to be between $100 and $200.
Some 20,000 Singapore men are called up every year to serve in the military, police and civil defence forces. After two years of full-time NS, these Operationally Ready NSmen can be called up every year of NS service, to practise battle manoeuvres or emergency exercises, until they turn 40, or up to age 50 for officers.
These proposals for monetary rewards come from the committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready NSmen to Total Defence, or Record, which convenes once every five years.
This is the fourth Record committee and is chaired by Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, who is also Manpower Minister.
"Our recommendations should not be seen as commensurate with the investment or sacrifice made by NSmen. They are not meant to be tallied or compared one with the other," Dr Ng told reporters yesterday, when he released the committee's recommendations.
"It is a tangible expression, a simple way of saying, that we appreciate the role of each NSman in the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force."
This time, Record wants even those have completed their reservist liabilities to be eligible. In fact, it is calling for them to have a greater share of the booty than those serving NS.
To Captain (NS) Aw Ah Liat, 36, an air force officer who completed his NS last December, the proposed bonus reflects the country's appreciation for its old soldiers - especially early batches of NSmen who enlisted from 1967.
He said:"I think it's a good gesture. NSmen who have completed their 10- or 13-year-long training cycle are the forgotten lot, so to speak, because they are no longer called up for NS training."
Another first: Instead of shares, cash will be given out. Dr Ng declined to reveal the amount, suggesting that past exercises would serve as a guide. By this yardstick, the men will get $100 to $200 more than other Singaporeans.
Key officers also stand to gain from higher allowances and tax relief. The rationale: These are critical players in the SAF's efforts to transform itself into a third-generation fighting force.
The proposed Safra clubhouse in Jurong will complement five other Safra clubhouses, while the museum, said Dr Ng, will serve "as a tribute to the contributions of our NSmen" and also a "learning institution for all Singaporeans so that they can better appreciate the crucial role that NS plays in national defence".
Source: THE STRAITS TIMES FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2005
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1st Quarter Commitment
1/06 Battalion S2 Course - 7 Feb to 27 Mar
Forward Observer Challenge - 9 Feb to 10 Feb
Taiwan Training - 7 Mar to 25 Mar
What a busy year!
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Counter-terrorism training to go on
Defence Minister assures parents such tough training not for normal full-time national service
The regular serviceman who drowned last June was being trained to stop terrorists at sea - the most demanding job in the Special Operations Forces.
His training was not for any ordinary soldier, and had to be tough and realistic as he could be called upon to re-take a passenger liner with thousands of people on board or a chemical tanker heading for the port, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean told reporters yesterday at a community event in Pasir Ris.
Second Sergeant Ong Jia Hui, 24, drowned while learning to board a ship using a pole and a ladder in waters off Changi Naval Base, with about 10kg of equipment strapped to his body.
Mr Teo assured parents this sort of training was "not what we expect people to do in normal, full-time national service training."
"Even well-trained soldiers are not able to do the things we expect these special force people to do."
He paid tribute to 2nd Sgt Ong - and men like him - who volunteer for the SOF. “They are prepared to put their lives on the line to protect our lives, and they know that at any time they can be called upon to do that.”
The minister made it clear the system of safety precautions was "adequate", but one thing to do is "reinforce" the message that people must carry out their duties properly.
Those who fail in their duties will have to answer for it, he said.
State Coroner Tan Boon Heng's verdict last week blasted four instructors for their lack of vigilance and found them responsible for negligence.
Master Sergeants Julian Tan, 32, and Tan Kang Choon, 33, First Warrant Officer Ho Yin Choy, 43, and Staff Sergeant Alex Chan, 28, face possible criminal charges.
They were less than 10m away from 2nd Sgt Ong during the incident, but failed to notice that he had disappeared under the waves until a headcount later. He was found lying 9m underwater on the seabed.
The coroner's report revealed other shortcomings: His recently serviced list vest was damaged, although it had not been activated and "did not contribute to his drowning."
No medical officer was on standby because no one had informed the base medical centre of the training.
2nd Sgt Ong was rushed to Changi General Hospital about 15 minutes away. He died less than an hour later.
Giving his comments after the coroner's verdict, Mr Teo said the tough training will continue. This includes carrying the weapons and equipment which some lifeguards say are too heavy for even the best swimmers, but which Mr Teo said was "not unusual" for counter-terrorism missions.
2nd Sgt Ong was wearing a bulletproof vest, a diving mask, diving boots and flippers, and carrying a pistol, an MP-5 submachine gun and a foldable ladder.
Mr Teo said the SAF has a stringent process to pick the toughest people for the course. The trainees also prepare themselves first by swimming long distances and practising in the pool before trying to board a ship at sea.
But injuries and deaths can still happen "even with the best of precautions," he said.
He acknowledged the incident was "bound to affect" the troops' morale.
He added: "It is important for the people in the team to know that they continue to have public support for the very important work that they do."
Source: THE STRAITS TIMES TUESDAY JANUARY 3, 2005
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