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Military Experts
Pursue your passion
Last updated 17 July 2025
Careers as Military Experts
Military Experts are domain experts who use their in-depth knowledge to build up Our Army’s capabilities. Areas of specialisation include engineering, intelligence, medical care and music.
We’ll help maximise your abilities through professional development, academic opportunities, and leadership roles.
Salary
For Military Expert/Army Engineer
Gross Monthly Salary ranges by military ranks and education level
Education level | Gross Monthly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
N-Level to Diploma | Recruit (MDES) $2,000 - $3,090 | ME1-T $2,110 - $3,200 |
ME1-1 $$2,300 - $3,410 | ||
A-Level to Diploma and Technical Diploma | ME4-T $2,840 - $3,210 | ME4-A $3,050 - $3,420 |
Degree | ME4-T $4,640 - $6,190 | ME4-A $4,970 - $6,190 |
ME4-1 $4,970 - $6,260 | ME4-2 $5,410 - $6,360 | |
One-time bonus up to $30,000*
A top-up component of $13,000 will be accorded to those who apply to join Military Medical Expert* (Not applicable for scholarships and study sponsorships recipients)
Military Experts with strong military and academic standings would be accorded an additional top-up to their starting salary.
Note: Information correct as of 1 July 2025. The above information reflects the starting salary for the different vocations.
Benefits
MDES Experts Continuous Engagement and Learning (EXCEL) bonuses
You will receive EXCEL Bonuses at ages 28, 32, 40 and 50.
Age 28* = up to 4 months of EXCEL Bonus
Age 32* = up to 8 months of EXCEL Bonus
Age 40 & 50 = 8 months of EXCEL Bonus
One month of EXCEL Bonus is equivalent to one month of last drawn salary.
*Excel Bonus at age 28 and 32 is computed based on length of reckonable service.
Flexible Benefits System (FLEX)
The flexible benefits schemes are designed to aid servicemen in meeting their life cycle needs.
FLEX quantum is tiered based on a serviceman’s reckonable length of service.
Stage 1:
$800 per year (Up to 10 years of service)
Stage 2:
$1,000 per year (More than 10 years of service)
Leave
Annual leave:
Up to 21 days annual leave
Other leave:
Marriage Leave
Family-Care Leave
Study Leave
Compassionate Leave
Adoption Leave
Sabbatical Leave
Paternity and Maternity Leave
Medical Leave
Full-pay Childcare Leave
Unpaid Infant Care Leave
Welfare benefits
SAF Holiday Resorts
Marriage and Newborn Gifts
Flexi-Work Arrangement
Family Life Programmes
SAF Group Insurance Scheme
Personal Accident & Life Insurance Coverage of $300,000
Dental Subsidy
Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) Medical Benefits
Enjoy attractive medical benefits and peace of mind while you contribute your best.
An additional 2% of your salary paid into your CPF Medisave account each month.
Subsidises 85% of outpatient treatment at approved medical institutions, capped at $500 per year.
Career progression
ME1 - ME2 (Age 19)
N / O-Level & above / NITEC / Higher NITEC / A-Level / Diploma
Professional military education & training
Army MDES course 2
Joint leadership course
Army MDES course 1
Skill-based technical appointments
Team IC
Team 2IC
Inspector
Trainer
Senior assistant expert or Engineer
Assistant expert or Engineer
ME3 - ME4 (Age 30)
A-Level / Diploma / Degree
Professional military education & training
Intermediate domain specialisation course
Tri-service warfighter course
Military domain executive course
Joint advanced leadership course
Army battalion RSM course
Army MDES course 3
Expertise appointments
Company commander
Lead engineer
Platoon commander
Base Sergeant Major
Depot Sergeant Major
Workshop IC
Workshop 2IC
Senior inspector
Senior trainer (Training Wing)
Domain expert or Engineer
ME5 (Age 40)
A-Level / Diploma / Degree
Professional military education & training
Advanced domain specialisation course
Battalion tactics course
Senior expertise appointments
Principal staff officer in brigade
Operations officer
Senior engineer
ME6 (Age 50)
A-Level / Diploma / Degree
Professional military education & training
Battalion commander couse
Command & staff course and Command & staff course (Executive)
Principal expertise appointments
Principal staff officer in division
Commanding officer (CO)
Branch head
ME7 - ME8 (Age 50)
A-Level / Diploma / Degree
Professional military education & training
Senior commanders programme
Senior principal expert or Chief expert
Commander
Deputy commander
Division Chief of Staff
Formation chief
Group head or Doyen
Work on our many marvels! We apply engineering expertise to ensure Our Army has the decisive edge.— ME5 Shaman Suresh, Maintenance and Engineering Support
You get numerous opportunities to develop professionally. The positive work culture really motivates you!— ME2 Jenny Teng, Recipient of SAF Polytechnic Sponsorship, Army Medical Services
