GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR NS
//STORY BY TEDD JONG /PHOTOS BY LOH YU ZE & COURTESY OF INTERVIEWEE
From upgrading his PES to extending his NS service to supporting his NSman employees, CPT (NS) Chong Wee Yeat goes the extra mile for NS.
Chao keng (Hokkien for feigning sickness or injury) to “down-PES”? Captain (CPT) (NS) Chong Wee Yeat did the exact opposite when enlisting in 1995.
Initially declared unfit for combat, the then-19-year-old strove to upgrade his Physical Employment Standard (PES). He underwent a medical procedure to ensure a suspected health-related condition would not affect his training.
Nine months after enlistment, he was given the green light and began Basic Military Training (BMT).
Go the extra mile
This 49-year-old was one of 113 Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) recognised at the NS Appreciation Dinner held on 16 May – an annual event to celebrate those who have served beyond their duty as Reservists on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service (ROVERS) and NS Volunteers.
The former extend their service in the MINDEF Reserve (MR) phase, while the latter serve past their statutory age.
CPT (NS) Chong, who joined ROVERS in 2024, is driven by the Chinese adage “先有国才有家” (to have a home you must have a country), firmly believing that our country’s security comes first.
He is now serving as Company 2nd-In-Command in 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB).
This year, he received the NS Advocate Award (Individual), the highest accolade conferred on businesses, organisations and individuals in recognition of their exemplary support toward Total Defence and NS.
Making life-long friends
After getting his PES upgraded, he gunned for Officer Cadet School (OCS) and made the cut, eventually clinching the Sword of Merit (awarded to the top 10 per cent of the cohort).
CPT (NS) Chong recalled an outfield exercise where a batchmate mentioned it was his 21st birthday one night. The platoon came together to cook a packet of instant noodles and wish him a happy birthday – a memory they share fondly till today.
He and his OCS buddies continue to meet through football and exercise sessions, meal get-togethers, and even travelling together overseas for family holidays on occasion.
Supporting other NSmen
As Head of Corporate Banking at Maybank Singapore, CPT (NS) Chong is a staunch believer of supporting his NSman employees so they can fulfil their NS duties smoothly without worrying about work.
Besides ensuring adequate resource allocation to cover the NSmen who return for In-Camp Training, he encourages them to embrace training with an open mind and pick up useful skills like decision-making and teamwork.
And as an NS commander, CPT (NS) Chong is all too aware of the importance of “building camaraderie (and making it) part of the purpose in serving”.
This ranges from having more flexible book-in timings for those taking care of young children or elderly parents, to visiting the F&B outlets run by NSmen in their unit.
“We have to show them that we care and that they are more than a cog in the system.”
For family
When asked whom he wanted to thank for supporting him in his NS journey, his answer was quick: “My family, especially my wife – that’s the only right answer to give!”
The father of two joked that they were happy to see him extend his service as a ROVER. “They were relieved that I won’t be around (so much) to bug them!”
His sons, aged 17 and 15, will be starting NS in a few years. CPT (NS) Chong quipped: “I told my older son to follow my footsteps – be an infantryman.”
He added: “(In fact), I aspire to complete the 24km route march with him during his BMT!”
