Monthly allowance

You will be given a rank allowance for your personal upkeep and in recognition of your contributions. You will also be given a vocation allowance in recognition of the different vocational demands placed on you. Your total NS allowance comprise both the rank allowance and vocation allowance. (Note: Since 1 Mar 2020, combat allowance has been replaced by vocation allowance.)

Monthly rank allowance

You can also view the tables here.

Current rank allowance (until 30 Jun 2025)

EnlisteesSpecialistsOfficers
RankStarting rank allowanceRankStarting rank allowanceRankStarting rank allowance

Recruit or Private

$680

Specialist Cadet

$770

Officer Cadet

$960

Lance Corporal

$700

Third Sergeant

$1000

Second Lieutenant

$1200

Corporal

$750

Second Sergeant

$1100

Lieutenant

$1380

Corporal First Class

$790

First Sergeant

$1170

 

 

From 1 Jul 2025, all national servicemen will receive a $35 to $75 increase in their monthly NS allowance.

Rank allowance (from 1 Jul 2025)

EnlisteesSpecialistsOfficers
RankStarting rank allowanceRankStarting rank allowanceRankStarting rank allowance

Recruit or Private

$715

Specialist Cadet

$810

Officer Cadet

$1010

Lance Corporal

$740

Third Sergeant

$1055

Second Lieutenant

$1265

Corporal

$790

Second Sergeant

$1160

Lieutenant

$1455

Corporal First Class

$835

First Sergeant

$1235

 

 

Vocation Allowance

S/NVocationsMonthly vocation allowance

1

Service and Technical vocations

$75

2

All combatants except those under S/N 3 and 4

$225

3

  • Aircrew
  • Armour, Guards, Infantry
  • Combat Medics, Specialists or Officers in the Medical Response Force or deployed on the Singapore Civil Defence Force ambulances
  • Seagoing

$300

4
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defence or Explosive Ordinance Disposal
  • Commando
  • Naval Diver
$500

The rank and vocation allowances will be credited directly into your bank account. If you have not provided your bank account details to MINDEF or have recently changed your bank account, you need to update your bank account details via Update profile.

Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) remunerative activities

To ensure the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces, NSFs must be committed to discharging their NS responsibilities. You are not allowed to undertake external activities that involve remuneration.

You are strongly encouraged to approach your unit commanders to apply for financial assistance and explore various avenues of help if you face financial hardship.