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Your son's NS commitments

An overview of NS commitments.

Last updated 22 July 2025
Soldiers in camouflage gear receiving field instructions during NS training in a forested area.
Timeline showing 5 phases of a son's NS journey from pre-enlistment to completion of liability.

Phases of National Service (NS)

  1. 13 years old (pre-enlistee)
    Exit Permit and/or bond requirements

  2. Enlistment
    Two years of full-time NS

  3. Operationally Ready Date
    Typically 7 Hight-Key In-Camp Trainings and 10 Operationally Ready NS (ORNS) years

  4. MINDEF Reserve1
    Completed ORNS training cycle

  5. Statutory Age2
    No longer liable for NS

1Servicemen who are willing and able to may volunteer to continue serving

250 years (for Officers and senior Military Experts) and 40 years (for all other servicemen)
Servicemen who are willing and able to may volunteer to continue serving

Find out more about the pre-enlistment process that your son will go through.