Salary Guide To How Much Can You Earn If You Sign On As An Army Regular Officer/Specialist/Military Expert

Amid the difficult economic environment, one job that is always open to able-bodied Singaporeans is a career with one of the nation’s largest organisations: the Singapore Army.

Here’s how much in salary, sign-on bonuses, and other monetary incentives you can earn if you choose to sign on with the Singapore Army – either as a commissioned Officer, a Specialist (and eventual Warrant Officer) or a Military Expert.

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How Much Does A Singapore Army Officer Earn?

Academic Qualification	Rank	Monthly Gross Starting
A-Level – Diploma	Officer Cadet Trainee	$2,790 – $3,010
	2nd Lieutenant	$3,000 – $3,220
	Lieutenant	$3,070 – $3,280
Degree	Officer Cadet Trainee	$4,380 – $5,130
	Lieutenant	$5,060 – $5,750
	Captain	$5,440 – $6,480

Source: MINDEF

Depending on academic qualifications and vocation, officer cadet trainees will begin earning a monthly salary of between $2,790 to $5,130. Once they are commissioned as officers, they would be earning between $3,000 to $5,750 for the next few years of their careers up till the rank of Captain.

According to MINDEF, officers with “strong military and academic standings” will be accorded additional top-ups to the standard salaries. Commissioned officers may also be eligible for individual performance bonuses.

Furthermore, upon completion of the 6th year of service, officers will receive a SAVER bonus of 6-months of their gross monthly salary. SAVER is a scheme that provides regulars with financial security upon retirement from service.

As members of the public service, Army officers are also enrolled into the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme, under which they will receive an additional 2% of their gross monthly salary into their CPF MediSave account. They will also be subsidised for 85% of their outpatient treatment at approved medical institutions, capped at $500 per year.

Officers are also eligible for the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX) of between $600 and $1,000 per year based on their reckonable length of service, which they can use to pay for their insurance, vacations, and education needs.

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How Much Does A Singapore Army Specialist/Warrant Officer Earn?

Academic Qualification	Rank	Monthly Gross Starting
A-Level – Diploma	Specialist Cadet	$1,900 – $2,730
	3rd Sergeant	$2,030 – $2,910
	2nd Sergeant	$2,090 – $2,970

Source: MINDEF

Those who sign on as an Army regular under the Specialist/Warrant Officer track can receive a one-time bonus of $20,000 to $30,000 (not applicable for those on educational sponsorship).

As trainees undergo training to become Army Specialists (and eventual Warrant Officers), they could earn between $1,900 and $2,910 (as Specialist Cadets and 3rd Sergeants). Eventually, as they are promoted to the rank of 2nd Sergeant, they can earn between $2,090 and $2,970.

Unlike their commissioned officer counterparts, Specialists/Warrant Officers who have attained the rank of 3WO will have a monthly contribution equivalent to 10% of the monthly salary into a Career and Retirement Endowment Account (CARE). Specialists/Warrant Officers will also receive one-month premium bonus (PrB), equivalent to one month’s last drawn salary, upon completing their 3rd, 6th and 12th year of service.

• 3 Years – up to 10 months PrB
• 6 Years – up to 6 months PrB
• 12 Years – up to 22 months PrB

But like their commissioned officer counterparts, regular Specialists/Warrant Officers are also enrolled into the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme as well as receiving benefits under the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX).

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How Much Does A Singapore Army Military Expert Earn?

Army Engineer / Army Engineer (Ammo)

Military Medical Expert

Military Musician

Source: MINDEF

Another career track that uniformed Army personnel can join is that of the Military Expert (ME), who provides valuable subject matter expertise to troops in the field, in areas such as in Engineering, Medical and Music.

As you can see, N Level and Diploma holders enrolled as Military Musicians start to earn between $1,880 to $2,530, while those in the Engineer or Medical track earn between $1,920 to $5,700, depending on qualifications.

MEs who perform well can receive performance bonuses, annual merit increments, as well as promotion increments upon advancing in rank or grade.

To encourage MEs to stay with the Army, attractive MDES Experts Continuous Engagement and Learning (EXCEL) bonuses are given out at ages 28 (up to 4-months bonus), 32 (up to 8-months bonus), 40 (up to 8-months bonus), and 50 (up to 8-months bonus). For the first bonus at ages 28 and 32, specific criteria (such as service length) must be met, or the bonus might be pro-rated.

MEs are not enrolled in SAVER, and instead, receive full CPF contributions like private sector employees. But MEs are public officers, so they too will be enrolled in the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme and also receive benefits under the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX).

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An Exciting And Rewarding Career In A Premier Organisation

Amidst a difficult job market, a career in the Army provides one with financial stability, a clear career progression, and the opportunity to serve and lead in one of the nation’s premier organisations – one that has produced leaders of the highest calibre who have gone on to take on top positions in the private, public and political spheres.

If you ever considered a career in the Army, perhaps now is as good a time as any to seriously explore that possibility.

Read Also: Complete Guide To SAFRA Memberships: How Much They Cost And What Benefits You Enjoy

 

This article was originally posted on 8 October 2020 and has been updated to provide the latest information.

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