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Singapore
All full-time national military trainees of the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defense Force will also have their training suspended.
Recruits arriving at the Pulau Tekong ferry terminal while ensuring safe distance. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
SINGAPORE: A total of 2,480 people due to enlist in May will not need to physically present for Basic Military Training (BMT), as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have extended their BMT suspension in light of the longer COVID-19 “circuit breaker” period.
These prelists will administratively enlist on their scheduled dates.
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“They will stay home until the BMT suspension is lifted and they are informed of their new notification date,” the Defense Ministry (MINDEF) said on Wednesday (April 22).
The SAF had earlier this month suspended BMT for recruits and deferred activities for its operationally-ready national military, in line with safe distancing measures nationwide.
With Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announcement Tuesday that the switch period will extend four weeks, the SAF will also extend its suspension of such activities until June 1.
Overall, about 6,250 recruits are affected by the BMT suspension, MINDEF said, adding that their training will be adjusted so that their operationally ready date is not affected.
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Critical training for the construction of operational units will continue to ensure that the SAF has enough operational units to respond to threats to Singapore.
“The military in active units receiving operational training and SAF training schools, minus the Basic Military Training Center, will continue to adhere to previously announced measures,” said MINDEF.
“Military personnel performing critical functions, such as defense of the island, protection of key facilities, maritime security, air defense, and anti-terrorist operations, will continue to be cohorted and will reside in their camps and bases before and during their operational duty to reduce the risk of infection. in critical operating units. “
SPF, SCDF EXTENDS THE TRAINING SUSPENSION
The Home Office (MHA) also announced Wednesday that it will further suspend training for all full-time National Service (NSF) apprentices of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF). ).
Like its SAF counterparts, the suspension of training will affect some 680 SPF and SCDF NSF trainees who are due to enlist in May.
They will stay home and be informed of their new reporting date for basic training. This will not affect your operationally ready date.
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Meanwhile, cadet officer training for the SPF and SCDF NSF apprentices will continue, as well as essential training in the field for the operationally prepared national military.
“Such training will continue with the strict implementation of improved preventive measures, such as safe spacing, staggered meal times, donning of masks, and rigorous cleaning of training equipment and common areas,” MHA said.
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