FOUR WOMEN, 4 SERVICES, 19 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD

On 3 Jan 2006, four women met at Officer Cadet School for the first time. Donning their military fatigues, these new cadets swore to defend the nation with their lives.

That chance meeting that fateful day has blossomed into a 19-year friendship.

Although life took them in different directions – and to all four different Services of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)! – what remains the same is the unique bond they’ve shared since they were wide-eyed 19-year-olds.

The first meeting

Each of them recalled having similar first impressions of one another: Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Nah was down-to-earth and made friends easily; while LTC Tong looked intimidating but was the sweetest once you got to know her.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Tung was very determined with a strong fighting spirit, and Military Expert (ME) 6 Toh was the wittiest with a good sense of humour.

The four did their Basic Military Training (BMT) in a women-only platoon, together with 20 other female cadets. Through the tough route marches, outfield sessions and progressive training, they remembered how they stood by each other.

LTC Nah recounted: “I remember we had to do our obstacle course, and I couldn’t climb the rope. I wanted to cry, but Wei Lynn was there with me, and suddenly I didn’t feel so alone anymore.”

They also had their fair share of fun – whether it was hanging out in their bunks after training or celebrating special occasions together in their homes.

LTC Tong remembered their days as fresh-faced recruits fondly: “It was a time when all four of us, who are extremely different individuals, somehow ended up in the same place for different reasons.”

Growing as individuals

Today, ME6 Toh, SLTC Tung, LTC Tong and LTC Nah, all 38, have each become trailblazers in the SAF in their own ways.

SLTC Tung, who was inspired to sign on by the female naval officers she met at a scholarship seminar in junior college, is currently Head Naval Intelligence in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

One of the most memorable moments of her career was when she was the Commanding Officer of frigate RSS Tenacious, on their way to participate in Exercise MILAN 2022.

This was a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with over 40 countries participating. It was one of the first few large-scale multilateral exercises held in the Indian Ocean Region since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just five days after departing, through a rigorous testing regime and safety procedures in place, a member of RSS Tenacious was found to be COVID-positive.

The crew remained calm and took all necessary measures to keep the patient and other ship members safe. SLTC Tung was proud to recount that they successfully completed their mission without anyone else being infected, and the isolated individual was well-taken care of throughout.

LTC Tong, who joined the Army, recently became a Branch Head in the Digital and Intelligence Service’s Digital Defence Command this February.

She is one of the first few women in the SAF to become a Guards Officer, after completing the Guards Conversion Course in 2011. Pretty impressive, for someone who went to an SAF Merit Scholarship event as a junior college student with no expectations.

Having done several ground command tours in 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards (1 GDS), she believes in making a positive impact on those she meets: “Achievements fade over time. What really matters are the positive touch points I’ve had with those I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with.”

LTC Nah became the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF’s) first female F-15SG pilot.

“After visiting the SAF booth at a scholarship fair, I was given a joy ride in a Piper Warrior at the Youth Flying Club. I was instantly sold on being a pilot,” she recalled.

One of her career highlights includes being a mission commander of 69 aircrafts across various nations, including the United States, Singapore and Thailand, at Exercise Cope Tiger 2018.

Today, she heads the SAF Women Outreach Office in Joint Manpower Department. “I want to use my life and story to inspire the next generation of girls.”

From a teenager crying herself to sleep in BMT and trying to remember kanan (right) from kiri (left) to becoming the first female Parade Commander at last year’s SAF Day Parade, ME6 Toh has overcome various setbacks to reach new heights in her career.

She now serves as Group Head, Joint Intelligence Directorate.

ME6 Toh recalled being rejected by the SAF scholarship panel when she first applied in 2006, and asked if she “would still like to come back on Monday morning (to continue with BMT)”.

“Maybe I’m just stubborn or proud. But in that moment, faced with the decision to press on or give up, I realised I wanted to be an officer.

“A burning, rebellious anger swelled in my stomach. I said I would be back on Monday.”

She eventually received an SAF Academic Study Award in 2007, continued serving and the rest is history.

Celebrating female friendships

Even though work commitments have kept them from meeting up regularly, the four remain great friends till today, jumping at every chance to grab a quick lunch together in between work.

“We have an awesome friendship – the kind that is low maintenance but always there when you need it!” LTC Nah said with a laugh.

ME6 Toh added: “It’s really cool to be able to call a friend from elsewhere in the SAF for help any time. When the stars align and we work together again, it's like old times!”

They are also still cheering for each other along the sidelines, just like the good old BMT days.

“I feel like I’ve seen and known the real Jin Ping, Wanling and Bao-En – their dreams, their strengths, their challenges. I have borne full witness to their growth over the years (and) what they have overcome, and I’m so genuinely proud of them,” said LTC Tong thoughtfully.

As they step into new roles as commanders and leaders, they also feel responsible for being good role models to new generations of female soldiers.

“Young girls and women see themselves in us. They see us succeed and think to themselves, ‘I can do it too’. Their world opens with possibilities. Simply by being seen, we are making a difference.” ME6 Toh explained.

SLTC Tung added: “As a woman in uniform, I feel responsible for those who trust in me and those whom I am accountable to and for.

“That’s why International Women’s Day is a day to tip our hats to women – recognising and acknowledging their accomplishments, their sacrifices and their strength in life.”