YOUNG TALENTS COMMITTED TO SINGAPORE’S DEFENCE

A total of 82 Defence Scholarship Awards were presented to aspiring young students this year. 

A competitive sailor with a lifelong affinity with the ocean. A commando officer who made the finals of a space innovation competition (twice!) and hopes to delve into defence technology. 

Meet Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Merit Scholar 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Soon Chuan En and Defence Science & Technology (DSTA) Scholar Naresh Arumugan.  

These are just two of the 82 recipients of this year’s Defence Scholarship Awards, which were presented by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at Temasek Club on 13 Aug.  

Diving into a naval career 

Ever since she dipped her toes into scuba diving at the young age of 11, 2LT Soon Chuan En has been fascinated with the ocean. 

“When you’re underwater, it feels like you’re just immersing in the ocean and it’s just so amazing because the ocean is so big while you’re just one tiny particle.”  

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that she also developed an interest in joining the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). 

“I wanted a career that was meaningful… Ultimately, I decided on the Navy because, when I took part in the MINDEF Experience Programme (during Junior College), I found what the Navy does to be very interesting,” said 2LT Soon. 

The 20-year-old elaborated that she was drawn by the wide range of operations that the Navy undertakes – especially the extensive cooperation they have with foreign navies – as well as the RSN’s strong family spirit.  

Stories from the ladies in 2LT Soon’s family about their experiences in the Home Team and the military only “reaffirmed my decision”, she added. 

Her mother works in the Singapore Police Force, and she also has two aunts serving in the Army. 

To better prepare herself for the Navy, she even decided to take up competitive sailing while studying at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).  

“Even though learning a new sport at an older age is definitely more difficult and sailing has a very steep learning curve, I think it was very rewarding for me.” 

One of the most crucial skills that she picked up while familiarising herself with sailing in open waters? Something that every RSN sailor needs: getting used to and overcoming seasickness when the waves get rough! 

Recently commissioned in March this year, 2LT Soon is serving on frigate RSS Steadfast as a young officer.  

Since then, she has participated in overseas events like the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, where she helped showcase Singapore’s culture and defence philosophy to her foreign counterparts. 

The SAF Merit Scholar will soon be going overseas to pursue further studies at Carleton College in the United States (US).  

When asked about why she chose to study Sociology and Anthropology, 2LT Soon replied: “I love to learn about how humans work, and I believe that knowledge about other cultures and how humans work is something that can be beneficial in helping others. 

“When I’m back from university, my main goal is to see how I can better help people in Service and contribute back in any way possible (using the knowledge I’ve gained).” 

Commando & defence tech geek

For Singapore Polytechnic alumnus Naresh, it was an internship with DSTA’s Air Systems Program Centre that drove him to a career in defence technology.  

“The work the Defence Technology Community (DTC) does, aligns with my personal interests (in technology),” said the 22-year-old.  

“It allows me to be skilled in soft skills, and also venture into the domains of engineering and other fields…such as space engineering.” 

He and his fellow intern friends were motivated to take part in the Brainhack SpaceCube competition in 2023, where they managed to make the finals.  

It was such a memorable experience, he decided to enter the competition again in its 2025 edition. This time, he and his team clinched second place. 

After enlisting for National Service (NS), Mr Naresh eventually earned his Red Beret and became an officer in 1st Commando Battalion, where he had the chance to train with the various weapon systems that the DTC delivers to the SAF. 

“Through training with some of these weapon systems, I get to better understand what are some of the problems that users experience on the ground, which may not be replicated in a lab,” said the DSTA Scholar.  

“By being able to think operationally, I feel like I can better value add to the projects that I’ll be doing in the DTC.” 

Speaking more about his NS, he shared that the airborne course – in which he had to overcome his fear of heights – was one of his most memorable experiences. 

“It’s not every day that you get to jump out of a working plane! The feeling is indescribable. After you’ve completed a jump, you feel very confident in yourself, like you can get through any challenge.” 

Now a first-year Mechanical Engineering student at the National University of Singapore, he is looking forward to more DTC internships as well as going for overseas exchange programmes. 

This will allow him to gain more exposure to different kinds of technology that can enhance Singapore’s defence systems.  

When asked about his career goals for the future, he said: “I hope to work on whole-of-government projects as it (will not only) test my capabilities in terms of working with other people, but also in harnessing my technical skills, so that together we can achieve something that will benefit the entire nation.”