FATHER & SON, BONDED BY SERVICE

SV3 Bipule Jain joined the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) in 2017 to get a taste of what his sons would go through in NS. Eight years on, his eldest son joins him in wearing Army green.

When he first heard his colleagues sharing stories about their in-camp training, SAFVC Volunteer (SV) 3 Bipule Jain was intrigued.  

"I thought (to myself), ‘How can I be part of this?’” said the IT Service Manager, who has two sons now aged 13 and 19. He moved to Singapore from India for work in 2007 and became a Permanent Resident in 2008. 

“I know my boys will do NS (National Service), so I wanted to (better) understand what they would go through.”  

About a year after the SAFVC was formed in 2015, SV3 Jain applied to join the Corps, eventually enlisting in 2017.  

Now, eight years in, his sole regret is not joining earlier.  

Making memories  

What SV3 Jain didn't expect, back when he first joined the SAFVC, was the intensity of its two-week Basic Training.  

This was a compressed “BMT (Basic Military Training)-like” experience, including three days of outfield training at Pulau Tekong. 

"We did everything from building bashas to ‘field cooking’ to urban operations," the 48-year-old recalled.  

"When letters from our families came during our route march, you could see even grown men crying. That experience really brought us trainees closer together." 

For seven years, SV3 Jain served as an Auxiliary Security Trooper across multiple camps.  

In 2023, he transitioned to become a Transport Operator. As part of his role, he drives Class 3 vehicles – like the Ops Utility Vehicle (commonly called the OUV) and Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) – to support troops during training exercises. 

One of SV3 Jain’s most memorable moments? Being deployed at National Day Parade 2022, where he assisted in crowd management and security checks.   

"My younger son Aarush was at an National Education Show with his classmates. When he spotted me on duty, he proudly told his friends, 'That's my dad!'  

“That moment of pride on his face is something I will never forget." 

Coming full circle 

Today, 19-year-old Lance Corporal (LCP) Aadi Jain serves in 8th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment as a security trooper – a similar appointment that his father first held. 

"When I found out, I was incredibly proud," said SV3 Jain. "Seeing him follow in similar footsteps felt very special. It was like our shared service had come full circle." 

When preparing LCP Jain for enlistment, SV3 Jain encouraged his son “to stay open-minded and seek guidance from his commanders". 

"I offered IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Training) tips, but I wanted Aadi to experience BMT on his own terms." 

LCP Jain appreciates the freedom he was given to grow and experience things on his own.  

"What I valued most was that my dad encouraged me to experience BMT myself, instead of forming opinions based on others' stories. That mindset helped me adapt better." 

A bond strengthened by service 

Like his father, LCP Jain shared that his most emotional moment in BMT came from receiving a letter from home. "When I read it, the tough times felt less tough, knowing my family had my back." 

Having both served as Security Troopers, father and son now share a common language.  

"We can relate to each other's experiences and share stories," said LCP Jain. "It's strengthened our bond in a very special way." 

SV3 Jain added: "He'll tell me about sentry duty at Nee Soon Camp, and I'll share what it was like when I was posted there, as well as at other places like SAFTI Military Institute, Sungei Gedong Camp and Maju Camp."

A remarkable community 

As SAFVC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, SV3 Jain reflects on how the Corps has grown over the years. "I hope we continue to strengthen our role as a dependable part of the SAF family, always ready to serve when called upon." 

His advice to others considering joining the SAFVC is straightforward: "Your 'why' has to be strong enough. When you join, your mindset has to be that, when the order comes, you go.” 

For LCP Jain, the path ahead in NS is clearer thanks to his father's example.  

"I was genuinely happy for him because I knew it was something he was passionate about. Seeing him serve gave me pride and motivation."