THEY’VE GOT THEIR EYE ON THE BULLSEYE

“Firers, watch and shoot. Watch and shoot.” The command booms through the range. It’s a familiar sound for those in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) shooting with live rounds.

This time, the pressure is even higher: These shooters are members of the SAF Shooting Contingent (SSC) training for the ASEAN Army Rifle Meet (AARM).

They are the chosen few from across the Singapore Army with the opportunity to compete at the 33rd AARM, which will be hosted by Singapore from 18 to 28 Nov.

About 200 participants from 10 ASEAN nations will come together to vie for 15 Challenge Trophies across five disciplines: Carbine, Machine Gun, Pistol (Men), Pistol (Ladies) and Rifle.

Getting the chance to compete

“To put it into perspective, you really are the 0.00001 per cent... It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to train with (other shooters at) the top (level),” said 1st Sergeant (1SG) Isabelle Tan.

She will be competing for the first time at AARM in the Pistol (Ladies) discipline.

The rookie, who had no background in competitive shooting, didn’t make the cut last year but finally succeeded this round after multiple evaluations.

When asked about the difference going from military to competition shooting, 1SG Tan emphasised that precision is everything.

In bullseye shooting, competitors score points by hitting a target as close to its centre (the bullseye) as possible. Each shot earns points based on where it lands, with point values decreasing in the outer rings on the target.

“You only have one chance to make it or break it, and it definitely takes a lot of hard work.”

The 25-year-old is a platoon sergeant in 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment.

“I never thought I’d be an athlete… It’s totally unexpected, ’cos I was a choir girl (in school)!”

Lance Corporal (LCP) Teo Jia En, on the other hand, is no stranger to the sport. “I’ve been shooting competitively since secondary school – it started with air pistol in my CCA (co-curricular activity).”

A member of the Pistol (Men) team, the 21-year-old Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) joined the SSC upon finishing his Infantry Vocational Training.

“Not many people in Singapore get to fire live rounds, especially every day,” he said with a beam.

“The satisfaction (comes) when you do your shot process right and you see all your rounds in the middle of your target.”

For 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Mohammad Dzahir, his journey to joining the Carbine team began with a chance encounter with an SSC marksman while serving in Brunei in 2010.

“He shared his experience and passion for the sport, and that really sparked my interest in competitive shooting in the military.”

The 42-year-old Sergeant Major of SAF Transport Hub (East), Bedok Camp noted that “competition shooting at AARM is on a completely different level – it depends on precision and having a refined technique”.

“Currently, I’m the only one from Combat Service Support Command (CSSCOM) who’s in the team so (I’m) very proud of myself, that I can represent Singapore this year,” he added.

Overcoming the mind game

For all three shooters, the toughest opponent isn’t across the range – but within.

“The hardest part is staying motivated on bad days,” explained 1SG Tan. “It’s trusting the process and really being patient with yourself and your results.”

LCP Teo agreed, adding that the battle is not simply about attaining accurate shots, but dealing with the fear of uncertainty.

“When you’re competing, you must focus on your shooting process, not the outcome – everyone wants to win but focusing on results will only make you nervous.”

Each member of the pistol team can shoot up to 400 rounds a day and about 20,000 rounds a year.

“Having the mental resilience and focus to do it consistently for so many times is very hard,” explained 1SG Tan.

“It’s fighting the instinct to go into automation (or rely on) muscle memory, (and) that takes a lot of focus.”

Even minute details, such as ensuring every trigger pull is done correctly, matter.

“It’s not just (seeing) the target and (pulling) the trigger – there’s a lot of coordination between what you see and how you pull your trigger,” added LCP Teo.

2WO Dzahir believes that discipline is key to overcoming the sport’s mental demands.

“To be a good shooter, you have to be disciplined (and) always consistent.”

He added that “success doesn’t come from luck, (but) from your sweat, heart, and soul – it comes from repetition, practice, and also a strong mindset”.

To keep track of their shots and thoughts, 2WO Dzahir and his fellow shooters carry a journal to record the day’s events and to reflect on what they can do for even better outcomes.

“Every day, we write in our journal what we did that day,” he said. “Keep on reading, and keep on reminding yourself (of what you’ve done).”

Beyond the bullseye

For 1SG Tan, the honour of representing Singapore carries added weight.

“Being a female sharpshooter is something out of the norm,” she noted. “The weight of the flag is definitely a huge pressure… Of course, I’m sure guys from the other disciplines feel the same way as well.”

But, beyond the eventual results, she looks forward to gaining new experiences through AARM.

“It’s not just a competition, it’s really to make friends… We even have ladies’ night (which is an) AARM tradition!”

Likewise, LCP Teo looks forward to meeting shooters from other countries and learning from them.

“I hope to see them shoot, and learn from them and apply to my own shooting process.”

For 2WO Dzahir, AARM “is not only a test of skills, it also celebrates the friendship and professionalism among ASEAN armies”.

He added: “AARM provides an opportunity to strengthen camaraderie, exchange knowledge, and uphold the spirit of excellence and teamwork.”