Mindef to set up new unit to grow its pool of volunteers

The Ministry of Defence will start a new volunteer management unit to better coordinate opportunities for civilians who can contribute to the nation's defence.

- Wong Pei Ting

This is part of an effort to broaden and strengthen the ministry's volunteer ecosystem.

Announcing this at the annual Mindef volunteers' dinner on July 24, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said this comes as the ministry has to operate across an expanded spectrum of operational challenges today, with the difference between peace and war no longer as clear-cut.

Remarking that the ministry now deals with "many shades of grey" in between peace and war, he said it would thus need people with different skill sets to chime in across a range of operations, no matter their background or fitness level.

In particular, the new unit would work with various existing units within Mindef "to make sure that we expand the opportunities for our people to contribute to the defence of this country", he said.

"The power of the SAF is not just about the men and women in uniform," Mr Chan added. "It is about how able we are to mobilise the whole of society to look at every aspect of our defence."