SAF raises starting pay for officers, specialists

**genzo2106** · 27-06-2007, 04:00 PM

TO STAY among the front ranks in the fight for talent, the military has raised starting salaries for officers and specialists.
Fresh entrants to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and the Singapore Armed Forces could get anything between 3 per cent and 16 per cent more, starting this month.

This includes those who join as combat military officers, non-uniformed defence executive officers and military specialists, the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Although the move affects those who sign on from June 1, Mindef said that personnel recruited in recent years and currently serving may also receive salary adjustments.

The exact pay packet will depend on factors like the position applied for and applicants' educational qualifications.

For example, a lieutenant who graduates with a good honours degree will start at $3,860. This is $120 more, or a 3.2 per cent increase.

The biggest jump, according to the figures provided by Mindef, will be for accountants with a good honours degree.

Previously, they started at a monthly pay of $2,740. From June 1, the non-uniformed officers will get $3,180, or 16.1 per cent more.

The starting salaries for those who join the ranks as military specialists - from recruits to third sergeants - will also increase by 5 per cent.

Increments will also be given for those who have performed national service, the ministry said.

Mindef explained that the 'adjustments...are part of the continual effort to ensure that salaries in the organisation remain competitive to attract quality people to join Mindef and the SAF'.

The news comes soon after wage revisions were announced in April for the Civil Service, to make it more attractive to fresh university graduates.

Calling the pay hike a logical move, Mr Sin Boon Ann, an MP for Tampines GRC, said: 'Having invested so much of our resources in hardware, we cannot lag behind in having people who are less than qualified to operate our machines.'

The adjustment will attract those sitting on the fence to give a career in the military a second thought, he added.

One of them is 20-year-old full-time national serviceman Evan Lim who was commissioned as a second lieutenant earlier this year.

'The money is another lure,' he said, 'but if I sign on, it'll be for the long-term, and for that, passion is very important.'

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Well it seems that SAF in now really trying to entice people to sign on as regulars witha very competitive pay..But just wonder, how effective can it be? Since private sector is also paying quite well too..:biggrin4: :biggrin4:

**wenchong1985** · 27-06-2007, 04:37 PM

seem like as long u can study well, u can chao kang and still get a long of pay....

we pay the SAF for what? since they get so much pay == mean they are really good is it? can 1 fight against 100, then why need NSF???

shingshing · 27-06-2007, 08:36 PM

Being a guy nt so bad too...like can always fall back to military service, let govt take care of u...benefits seem nt bad..

**finaldust** · 28-06-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wenchong1985

seem like as long u can study well, u can chao kang and still get a long of pay....

we pay the SAF for what? since they get so much pay == mean they are really good is it? can 1 fight against 100, then why need NSF???

but wont out them i dont think we would be here bah in emergency they still can protect us bah dont think we have peace now we going to have peace 4ever bah there is always terroist out there bah

**Shyraiiyann** · 28-06-2007, 12:42 AM

hais, but my boi still wouldnt wan to sign on...

**GeneKoh** · 28-06-2007, 01:03 AM

U'll be glad he didn't sign on... As the basic rule goes, you can say no to your family, but you can never say no to the military...

If he signs on, you may not be able to see him for long periods at a time leh...

**wenchong1985** · 28-06-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shingshing

Being a guy nt so bad too...like can always fall back to military service, let govt take care of u...benefits seem nt bad..

once u are over 25 , the SAF dont wan u le, unless got degree or what

**wenchong1985** · 28-06-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finaldust

but wont out them i dont think we would be here bah in emergency they still can protect us bah dont think we have peace now we going to have peace 4ever bah there is always terroist out there bah

u think they will protect us, if we pay them higher? i saw many many sign on personnel, most just said it is stupid to fight for singapore when there is a war

I think during war time, the government can offer a price to stop the war, i think all other country army will fight for us liao. our soldier all so rich liao, fight for what

**Texcoco** · 28-06-2007, 07:07 PM

By the way, I wondered why is there no NS forum? NS is intergrated part of Singaporean life, it would be a great if they can set one up

**Jesper** · 28-06-2007, 09:57 PM

Raise their pay and it comes from the tax payers.... I have seen so many personnels who dont deserve their pay...

**drpiggy** · 29-06-2007, 12:23 AM

of course must pay increase lor especially when many guys dun even look forward to NS. money can be an incentive in these cases.

**gundam916** · 29-06-2007, 01:24 AM

Pay them more & they will protect us BETTER?!?! :handsup:

So now we know the type of 'protection' that we'd been getting from them in the past donkey years... :freakedout:

**For3ver** · 29-06-2007, 01:40 AM

Whatever it is ,as long as we got stable jobs can already.

**tantk** · 29-06-2007, 02:09 AM

good job

**derelicte** · 29-06-2007, 02:17 AM

Hmmm, how can we feel safe if people don't trust the army.... C'mon lads, I'm sure when the time comes, our guys in green will put up a good fight for us, Just like what the guys in blue have been doing rite now..... For those who knows of army personnel that does not deserve the pay. I believe every organization have black sheeps...... So support our army yeah...