RECOGNITION FOR NS HEROES; ENHANCED COS FOR NSMEN

Ask kids to name one of their heroes, and they'll probably say their Daddies. But who are their Daddies' heroes?

For father-of-three Lance Corporal (LCP) (NS) Kevin Gomez, it is without a doubt his wife, Mrs Andik Nurdiany Gomez. Last September, the 36-year-old was seven months pregnant and alone at home when she began to experience discomfort and complications. LCP (NS) Gomez, 38, was then two days into his In-Camp Training (ICT) as an armskoteman in the 778th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment.

Thinking it was a false alarm, she took herself to the hospital after updating him of her situation. "It wasn't so much that I was brave," Mrs Gomez said matter-of-factly. "He has his own responsibilities (in ICT) and I have mine. So I told him, hey, just focus on your ICT and let me handle this side of things while you handle that side. If there was a need (for him) to come down, I believed his officers would be more than understanding and willing."

But her doctor discovered that she was suffering from a placental abruption, a serious condition where the placenta separates from the uterus, and had to deliver her baby via an emergency C-section. It was then that she realised she had to call LCP (NS) Gomez to come to the hospital immediately.

Even then, she put on a brave front, focusing her thoughts on her baby: "I was more concerned about the baby and his survival, although I was praying in my little heart that he would be in time."

Luckily, LCP (NS) Gomez arrived just as her operation began, and was in time to welcome their little boy, now a year old.

"There are a lot of heroes, like our parents and our staff, who came together to support in this emergency so we could have peace of mind" said LCP (NS) Gomez, who runs an F&B business with Mrs Gomez. "But of course, she's the big hero!"

On 5 Oct, spunky Mrs Gomez received a big thank-you present when she was presented the prestigious NS Advocate Award at the Total Defence Awards Dinner. The NS Advocate award is the highest accolade awarded to individuals, businesses and organisations who show exemplary support towards Total Defence and for National Service (NS). Mrs Gomez had been nominated by her husband for the Individual category, which was introduced in 2015.

The awards were given out at the annual Total Defence Awards Dinner. This year, 139 NS Advocate Awards were presented to 12 Individuals, 89 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), 24 Large Companies and 14 Organisations.

At the dinner held at Fairmont Hotel, Guest of Honour Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen noted that in the current security climate, Total Defence remains relevant.

"This concept of TD (Total Defence) was introduced over three decades ago, but today it is relevant as ever, if not more so," said Dr Ng. "(The Total Defence Awards Dinner) is not just another event held annually to recognise those who have contributed to this cause. The significance lies in that collective will to strengthen year after year, against threats old and new, to stand up against them as one people united in resolve and action."

Dr Ng also thanked employers for their support for NS, making special mention of NS Advocate Award for SME recipient ForBis Accounting.

ForBis Accounting Director LCP (NS) Willy Tan, whose company provides corporate secretarial and accounting and tax services, gives his Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) staff time off before ICT to prepare for their training, and more time off after to rest and recover. In addition, female employees are also offered flexible work arrangements to take care of the home while their husbands are on ICT.

"I'm also an NSman, so I know what they are going through. It's from my own NS experience too. My platoon is very (tightly) bonded, so when I needed help and someone to cover for me, they helped me out. That made life better," said the 27-year-old, who is a combat engineer in the 35th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers.

Even though NSmen make up a large proportion of the young company, LCP (NS) Tan was not concerned about the time off that his staff take as the mutual trust creates a healthier work culture. "When we give them such flexibility, it gives them ownership of the time and work. We notice this makes them more responsible and driven," he explained.

"When we support NSmen and their spouses, we are supporting the labour force. We are helping to alleviate their stress. We don't want them to be trying to juggle both (NS and work) because a mistake would be disastrous to us as well. So it's better for them to concentrate on their responsibilities, and then they can come back to work with a fresh mind."

During the event, Dr Ng also announced the enhanced Certificate of Service (COS) package that Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) in the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team will receive when they complete their NS. This includes an enhanced service transcript that reflects the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ)-accredited competencies and skills they had gained during NS.

This is on top of a record of their NS awards, commendations and milestone accomplishments, as well as contributions made above and beyond their duties, such as voluntary extension of service. As part of the package, NSFs will also receive a certificate of completion, and top performers will get a testimonial too.

Said Dr Ng of the enhanced package: "National servicemen are proud of their service and contributions and these rightly should be accurately reflected in the COS provided to them.

"This COS will reflect the skills and competencies NSFs gain during full-time NS, because many of our NSmen have gained Workforce Skills Qualification during their NS and these should be reflected so that it will help them in their further studies or finding new jobs and careers after their Full-Time National Service."

NSFs will start receiving the new COS package from January 2018.