As we commemorate SAF day on 1 July 2014, decided to update an old write up that I once wrote about for some NS internet portal for pre-enlistees portraying different aspects of life as an NSF. Here's a revised version from the original article (dated 2011)
Will also like to take this time to just appreciate the different commanders that I had since my time in BMT, OCS, to my Unit life, the different coursemates and fellow commanders that I have train and serve alongside with and of course the men who were place in my unit. Each of you all have made impact in my journey as an NSF from 2009 to 2011 in someway and made that 2 years such a memorable experience. Would also like to take this SAF day to express our support and appreciation to all who are serving or have served the nation! :)
Article of an NSF Journey, (2011) (Revised, 30 Jun 2014)
I still remember the days just before for my enlistment, I was someone full of zeal just anticipating to experience this whole army life that every Singaporean son have to go through.
Basic Military Training (BMT)
On 13 July 2009, I was enlisted in to serve the nation full time, and was posted to BMTC School 2, Leopard Company Platoon 2. During my Basic Military Training (BMT) in Tekong, it was clearly one of the key transforming periods when I was trained from a fresh recruit to becoming a soldier after just 9 weeks. I met many wonderful friends during that period, where I still keep in contact with some today. One of the amazing take away was interacting with the different personalities. We all came from different backgrounds, had different values and experiences in life, but one thing that unite us was the common purpose of serving the nation in this season of our life.
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| (BMT- Leopard Platoon 2!) |
(BMT Buddy)
Officer’s Cadet School (OCS)
After BMT, I was posted to the Officer’s Cadet School (OCS), 77/09 batch,Tango Wing. The environment and regimentation here was of such high standard, that in the first 3 weeks of confinement there were many moments where I thought of giving up. But what kept me going was this verse from the bible that my Pastor shared with me just before I entered OCS, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
(My OCS buddies in CLM (first 3 weeks)
Service term passed after 3 mths and soon I was I in my Professional Term where I was posted to the Signal Officer Cadet Course (SOCC) being trained to be future Signals officers. During this period, had the met many new friends and had the privilege to train alongside many great leaders and future officers of the SAF.
We went through all kinds of mental and physical challenges over our journey, and even having the privilege to go for 2 overseas trainings together. In the end, I ended my course well and was surprisingly awarded the Sword of Merit, which was something I did not even imagine receiving when I first entered OCS. Looking back on hindsight, what probably led me to where I was each time, was being inspired by a sermon I heard once on the importance of having the "Spirit of Excellence" in our life which kept me going since I entered BMT.
After 9 memorable months, on 19 June 2010, we were commissioned by the President and became Officers of the SAF. Going through the gruelling but enriching 9 months in OCS certainly taught me a lot and moulded me in my leadership and character as a person.
(Some good old secondary school mates who were fellow officers in the SAF as well)
(77/09 Commissioning Parade!)
Unit Life
As a fresh junior officer, I was posted as a platoon commander taking care of a highly motivated platoon comprising of really smart and hardworking group of signal specialist and men. Unit life was very different compared to the training school environment, where I spend nearly the entire first half of my life as an NSF. As an officer, the responsibility and demands were a lot higher than before. It daunt on me quickly that that we need to be proactive in giving clear instructions, having good administration skills in our planning, and the responsibility in overseeing real operations, and looking after the welfare of your men. This was where the Officer’s Creed that we constantly recite in our time in OCS became a reality, "we are answerable to our men training, moral and discipline".
(Unit life! - Alpha Coy!)
I cannot mention much about the operations we do, but I can say I’m really the fortunate to experience such real time urban operations, going to places where one would never ever imagine being involved in as a civilian. Aside from operations, as an officer you really get to work with all kind of people, from your various superiors to fellow platoon commanders, the specialist under you and the men which you train during their Unit Induction Programme (UIP).
Besides all the tough trainings and administrative areas one need to do, there is always the fun times as well when we are on standby during weekends in camp. We get to play games with our platoon, have BBQ in camps or just watch movies together.
(Signal Formation Ensigns & Escorts for Chief of Army Change of Command parade! With the Colours RSM!)
(Before 45th Signal Anniversary Dining-in)
Company Tactics Course (CTC)
Towards the end of my NSF time. I had this wonderful privilege to participate in this one month, Company Tactics Course (CTC), as the 81st CTC batch, where I personally found it as one of my most memorable and enriching time as an NSF. Having many opportunities to learn and train alongside capable and competent officers in the SAF from different vocations in the army, comprising of SAF/President/PSC scholars, sword holders, some with overseas deployment experiences, but besides the status of many of my course mates, we were all going through this course together to be future company commanders of the SAF be it regulars or future NS man. Its quite amazing to know that some among us will eventually be future Generals of the SAF too. Besides interacting with the different officers there, there were many life-long skills that I personally took back. Such as being equipped in Organisational Leadership, Conversational Coaching, Facilitation Skills and this amazing team learning system that I fully believe in known as the Action Learning Process (ALP).
(81st Company Tactics Course)
(81st CTC Graduation from the Guest of Honour, the former Chief of Armour (as of Feb 2011)
(81st CTC- Syndicate 4)
(81st CTC Leaders Challenge- Syndicate 4 Captain Ball Champions with the former winner Syndicate 3)
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