SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has launched a new scheme to tap on the professional know-how of operationally-ready servicemen (NSmen) in areas such as law, medicine, engineering and psychology.

Called the Expertise Conversion Scheme, it will allow them to undergo further training, and convert to Military Experts - a military track taken by experts in a given field, such as engineering or first aid. They may also have to serve a longer period of NS as a result.

"With the need to conduct a full spectrum of operations, the SAF is seeking to expand operational capabilities especially in niche areas of expertise," the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in a statement.

The scheme - mainly targeted at NSmen who are warrant officers, specialists or enlistees who have completed their NS commitments - will assess and train applicants over several years before they convert to the rank of Military Expert 4.

It will also be open to NSmen with existing commitments on a case-by-case basis, Mindef added.

Depending on operational demands and availability, up to two batches of NSmen will be converted to military experts annually.

The first cohort, which is still being trained, will be inaugurated in July.