MINDEF DXO (All FAQ on it)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Sidetrack abit, any idea if every time we go back reservist do they do G50 for us to get the CAT status or it’s forever till ROD

NS man cat status always there. Possibly because not all NSmen get access to OSN.

As a regular/dxo you have access to a lot information than you potentially could as a NSman. You need a the G50 to apply for a OSN.

Hello all,

Being a DXO has always been my dream. It was just too bad that I couldn't sign on because of some medical condition.

I graduated in 2018, and I have tried for MINDEF every year since then. Currently, I am working in another Ministry. So I would like to seek some inputs on the burning questions I have:

1) Are public servants/civil servants considered more favourably when it comes to DXO selection?

2) The official stance is that the PT results are valid for 1 year. However, I have heard rumours that even though HR will allow you to take PT again after 1 year (if you had failed), you still wouldn't be able to make it past PT stage for 3 years straight. How true is that? Anyone failed to be a DXO, tried again the subsequent year and got in?

3) Which positions are less hot? Would want to maximise my chances this time round. Realized that I might have been rejected in the previous years because I have indicated traditionally popular and competitive posts like DPO and Defence Relations.

Thanks yáll!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello all,

Being a DXO has always been my dream. It was just too bad that I couldn't sign on because of some medical condition.

I graduated in 2018, and I have tried for MINDEF every year since then. Currently, I am working in another Ministry. So I would like to seek some inputs on the burning questions I have:

1) Are public servants/civil servants considered more favourably when it comes to DXO selection?

2) The official stance is that the PT results are valid for 1 year. However, I have heard rumours that even though HR will allow you to take PT again after 1 year (if you had failed), you still wouldn't be able to make it past PT stage for 3 years straight. How true is that? Anyone failed to be a DXO, tried again the subsequent year and got in?

3) Which positions are less hot? Would want to maximise my chances this time round. Realized that I might have been rejected in the previous years because I have indicated traditionally popular and competitive posts like DPO and Defence Relations.

Thanks yáll!

1) Depending on the role applied. Relevant experience will always trump everything else.

2) There is no pass/fail with your PT. HR uses it as a tree-shaking element, you can do considerably well on the test but still get rejected because other applicants scored higher. Similarly, a “weak” PT performance can go through if the pool is generally non-competitive.

3) Relevancy here is key. Make sure your current experiences can be translated to the role applied. i.e. A research assistant at ISEAS will have an easier time applying for a role in the policy office.

MINDEF is a great place to settle down. With that being said, mid-career professionals are heavily gunning for spots. Rest assured the process is meritocratic. MINDEF will always favour applicants who have relevant experiences.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello all,

Being a DXO has always been my dream. It was just too bad that I couldn't sign on because of some medical condition.

I graduated in 2018, and I have tried for MINDEF every year since then. Currently, I am working in another Ministry. So I would like to seek some inputs on the burning questions I have:

1) Are public servants/civil servants considered more favourably when it comes to DXO selection?

2) The official stance is that the PT results are valid for 1 year. However, I have heard rumours that even though HR will allow you to take PT again after 1 year (if you had failed), you still wouldn't be able to make it past PT stage for 3 years straight. How true is that? Anyone failed to be a DXO, tried again the subsequent year and got in?

3) Which positions are less hot? Would want to maximise my chances this time round. Realized that I might have been rejected in the previous years because I have indicated traditionally popular and competitive posts like DPO and Defence Relations.

Thanks yáll!

1. Relevancy of experience. Do know that priority are given to internal first. Sometimes your competitors for the roles include internal applicants.

2. Time and Space. Just try your best for those PT. HR will contact you again if they need you to take it again. Having said that if you failed moer than 3 years, they might just not shortlist you for it because i have heard my friend discussing about his unit taking into account of PT scores.

3. Should follow your interest or experience or academic experience, rather than applying for jobs that are less hot. Granted the policy and data roles are extremely competitive because of its nature.. try those in the ‘other’ sections like training related appointment should have more chance to do so... but if your experience doesnt fit, then it is unlikely they would consider you unless desperate.

Good luck.

Hi, may i know if i owe credit card money and under DRS (Debt repayment scheme), can i still apply for a dxo position? thanks

Hello, if I'm a NUS, FCH, with NS fresh grad, approx what's the starting salary I can expect? Also, does DXO generally pay better than other ministries (MX)? Thank you!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello, if I'm a NUS, FCH, with NS fresh grad, approx what's the starting salary I can expect? Also, does DXO generally pay better than other ministries (MX)? Thank you!

Yes, the baseline pay for MINDEF is generally slightly a notch higher compared to other ministries within the same level.

You’ll start off as an entry level manager (DX10) drawing a gross of 4K+/- depending on which department you sign.

Fortunately, MINDEF no longer discriminate pay between classification of honours anymore. Though having a stellar academic record might give you a push towards working in the Defence Policy Office, which is the most prestigious dept for a fresh DXO grad.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yes, the baseline pay for MINDEF is generally slightly a notch higher compared to other ministries within the same level.

You’ll start off as an entry level manager (DX10) drawing a gross of 4K+/- depending on which department you sign.

Fortunately, MINDEF no longer discriminate pay between classification of honours anymore. Though having a stellar academic record might give you a push towards working in the Defence Policy Office, which is the most prestigious dept for a fresh DXO grad.

Some info to clarify.

Starting off as DX9 - Asst Mgr for fresh grad entry-level, and 4k+ is about right. Not sure about the 'no longer discriminate' part - it existed when i joined last year.

Baseline is higher because of work related to defence. Broadly similar to stat board for starting, but not as high as specialist scheme (engineer, laws, economics, statisticians and etc in Ministry and SB) and not as high as uniform scheme (hahahah).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hello, if I'm a NUS, FCH, with NS fresh grad, approx what's the starting salary I can expect? Also, does DXO generally pay better than other ministries (MX)? Thank you!

Anywhere 3.5k - 5.5k, depending on ministry/sb, job function and schemes.

does mindef offer MX schemes too? what's the diff between their DXO and MX scheme, if they do offer MX scheme?