Corporal First Class (NS) Tan Yu Hui’s heart condition meant he was classified as non-combat-fit when he enlisted into the army seven years ago. “Although I was classed medically unfit, I always felt there were better ways I could contribute to Singapore’s defence than the standard few vocations we had,” said the operationally ready national serviceman (NSman). That may soon be possible for new enlistees as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) embarks on a revamp of the Physical Employment Standard (PES) system, allowing more servicemen to be deployed in vocations they were not eligible for previously. Dr Michael Raska, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at RSIS, noted that the SAF’s move comes as it is shifting to a greater use of advanced technology. “Adopting technological advances in the SAF may significantly enhance the combat potential and capabilities of the force, and in doing so, however, impose increasing requirements on the training and selection of soldiers,” he said. Unlike the superpowers that can afford to train its soldiers across all forms of combat operations, small states like Singapore will have to allocate its resources efficiently based on its strategic needs, he said.