ORNS Mobile Infographic

Reaching your Operationally Ready Date (ORD) signals the first step in your ORNS journey – from a full-time National Serviceman (NSF) to an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman)

Here's a quick overview of your roles and responsibilities as an NSman in your ORNS journey.

Scroll down to start

ORNS Training Cycle

As a NSman, you will typically go through the following 3 key phases as part of your 10-year Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) training cycle:

During this period, you may be called up for up to 40 days of ORNS activities annually.

Key ORNS Activities

As part of your ORNS training cycle, you must fulfil the following requirements:

IN-CAMP TRAINING (ICT)

MANNING

ANNUAL INDIVIDUAL PHYSICAL PROFICIENCY TEST (IPPT)

Participate in ICT

ICT

In a work-year , you may be called up for:

High Key (HK) ICT, which lasts at least 7 consecutive days
Low Key (LK) ICT, which lasts 6 days or less

Notification

You will be notified of your ICT via SAF100 , which you are required to acknowledge. If you are unable to attend, you must apply for deferment.

Preparation

Your SAF100 will also instruct you on your reporting attire. Please visit the SAF eMarts if you need to replace and replenish your personal equipment.

Placed on Manning

You will be placed on Manning to maintain your operational readiness. During these periods, you must be ready at any time to report to your Mobilisation Centre upon activation. You will be notified by phone and codewords representing your unit broadcast through mass media like TV and radio.

Pass Your IPPT

You must book and pass your 3-station IPPT within your annual IPPT Window .

You can also take 10 sessions of IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT) to fulfil your IPPT requirements instead.

You must take up to 20 sessions of Remedial Training (RT) in your next IPPT Window if you:

Fail or did not attempt your IPPT
Do not complete your IPT

Responsibilities

As part of your ORNS training cycle, you must fulfil the following requirements:

Keep your personal particulars on the NS Portal updated so that you remain contactable by MINDEF for your national duty

Apply for an Exit Permit (EP) if you are travelling overseas for 6 months or longer

Inform your employer of your call-ups so that arrangements can be made to cover your duties

NS Pay

You will receive Service Pay for the ORNS activities you attend. It is equivalent to your NSF allowance and dependent on your rank and vocation. You may also claim Make-Up Pay to ensure that you do not incur a loss in civilian income.

Awards and Recognition

Different schemes have been designed to recognise your NS contributions through your ORNS journey. These include the NS HOME (National Service HOusing, Medical and Education) Awards, annual tax relief, National Service Excellence Award (NSEA), and the NS Gift Watch. MINDEF will also provide MINDEF/SAF Group Insurance during your ORNS training, and commemorate your special occasions with Celebratory Gifts.

eServices

Through these online services via NS Portal, you can perform a variety of tasks. These include booking IPPT and acknowledging call-up notifications.

Completion of ORNS

Your ORNS training cycle will be completed after you have achieved 10 active ORNS years and 7 High-Key ICT. Thereafter, you will be phased into the MINDEF Reserve (MR).

However, you will still need to apply for an EP if you are travelling overseas for 6 months or longer. You may also be activated for operational service up to your statutory age .

Thank You!

We thank you for your time and contributions to our National Defence, and wish you a fruitful ORNS journey ahead.

This journey presents only an overview of ORNS.