SINGAPORE - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has started training its first batch of 68 volunteers to get them fit for duty by September.

It has already picked another 82 to join the SAF Volunteer Corps this year.

The pioneer batch of 150 made the cut after clearing their medical and security screening, and a 30-minute interview with a panel of military men.

After training, the newly minted volunteers will be required to serve seven days a year, in one of the 17 vocations they have been assigned to.

Here are more details:

Who can volunteer?

Women, first-generation permanent residents and new citizens who are not liable for national service, aged between 18 and 45.

What can volunteers serve as?

C-4 expert

Airbase civil engineer, naval safety engineer or naval combat/platform systems engineer

Infomedia staff

Legal specialist staff

Merchant ship operations trainer or merchant ship engineering trainer

Doctor, nurse, dentist, radiographer or medical technologist

Bridge watchkeeper or deck operator (seamanship)

Defence psychologist

Auxiliary security trooper

What will the training entail?

Continuous stay-in-camp training or training sessions spread over several weekends.

Two weeks of basic training to pick up basic soldiering skills.

A week of qualification training to prepare volunteers for their specific roles.

A week of advanced training for volunteers in more demanding roles to learn about close combat training and live firing.

Where to sign up?

Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps website at www.mindef.gov.sg/safvc or via forms from the Central Manpower Base.