SAF Camera Phone Restrictions

From 1 September 2012, camera mobile phones will be permitted in designated areas as part of the security zoning programme. The programme aims to enable the securing of sensitive areas while allowing flexibility and minimising disruption for our national servicemen who operate within the camps.

Selected for the high volume of Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who pass through for training or administration, these include camps that house fitness conditioning centres, training institutes, the Central Manpower Base and Basic Military Training Centre.

Green Zones
Areas in camps where camera mobile phones are allowed are termed Green Zones, though the existing security stance on photography remains the same. Unless authorised by unit commanders for special events such as open houses, graduation parades and cohesion activities, photography is prohibited. Examples of Green Zones include medical centres, accommodation bunks and cookhouses.

Red Zones
Within the Red Zones, which are areas where sensitive and classified information is present, camera mobile phones are not allowed. Before entering a Red Zone, camera mobile phones must be deposited in lockers. Examples of Red Zones include units' operation rooms and offices with computer access to classified information.

4.3 inch screen size restriction
It effectively banned most smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 that was launched a few months before the ruling kicked in.

The limitation, according to Mindef, is "to prevent servicemen from bringing unauthorised mini-computers into SAF camps". Being the good soldier, I bit the bullet and bought a second-hand iPhone 4 for my in-camp training, which left me with bruises, aches, cuts, along with an odd sense of satisfaction and achievement.

With the limitation being lifted, every national servicemen in Singapore will no longer be shackled to antiquated smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S2 or Apple iPhone 4 during our annual reservist training.

Now, we are faced with a dilemma - to bash brain-hungry zombies with plants on the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S, watch movies on the dazzling 6.4in screen of the Sony Xperia Z UItra or surf the web with the LG G2 during our lunch breaks.