MINDEF, SAF PERSONNEL AWARDED COMMENDATIONS

When Operationally-Ready National Servicemen from 282nd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (282 SA) attend In-Camp Training (ICT) each year, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) (Volunteer) Charles Ong always makes it a point to address their work and family concerns within the first few days of training.

"Without taking that load off their minds, we are not able to have them commit to the two weeks of training," said the 40-year-old encik who marked his sixth year as a volunteer with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) this year.

At the end of each ICT session, 1WO (Vol) Ong would also go over lessons learnt with the senior commanders and discuss how to improve things in the following year. He also keeps himself updated on new developments in the SAF and stays connected to the other commanders through quarterly meetings, e-mail and mobile group chats.

This strategy has proven to be very effective as 282 SA has won the "Best NS Artillery Unit" award three times - in 2009, 2011 and 2012. 1WO (Vol) Ong himself received the "NSman of the year" accolade in 2010.

When asked the reason behind his indefatigable commitment to National Service, the founder of consulting firm Caryl Lynch Private Limited who has never missed an ICT session except for the year where he sustained a shin injury said: "It's an opportunity to engage with the younger generation. Over the 10-year cycle, we see a huge transformation in the way they think, and in the way they carry out training."

"In the past when they served, it was just as individuals. Now when they serve, they think about their spouse and their children," he said.

1WO (Vol) Ong was one of the 490 Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and SAF personnel who received awards from Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Acting Minister for Social and Family Development and Senior Minister of State for Defence Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing at the National Day Awards Investiture held at the MINDEF building on 14 Nov.

For his exceptional devotion to duty and service, he received the Efficiency Medal. Besides this medal, commendation and long service medals were also given out at the ceremony to both military and non-military personnel in recognition of their commendable performances and service to the organisation.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Mohammed Jasni Bin Jamaludin was one of those who received the Long Service Award. In his 25-year career with the SAF, LTC Jasni has taken on many roles. They include being involved in the reorganisation of the Infantry Training Institute so that the training requirements of the battalions could be better supported as well as the setting up of the Joint Operations Centre when he was deployed to Timor Leste in 2006.

As Commanding Officer of Basic Military Training Centre School 4, LTC Jasni also played an instrumental role in setting up the school from scratch two-and-half-years ago.

Comparing starting the training school to starting a business, the 45-year-old said: "The hardest part was... getting the systems and processes working, and rallying the people together. I had a lot of assistance from the other schools because they are well-established."

On whether she thought her husband would stay in the SAF for so long, Madam Noor Qamah said: "I knew he would because this is what he is passionate about. He loves what he is doing now."

Ms Jasmine Wong, a Defence Executive Officer who is part of MINDEF's Nexus department, was one of the recipients of the Commendation Award. As Senior Manager of the Strategic Development branch, she identifies trends and ways that enable her department to reach out to more Singaporeans on Total Defence.

For instance, her team came up with the idea of developing a mobile application that would engage youths through gaming. The result? Ops Battleforce, a mobile application that was launched at this year's National Education Gaming Championship.

As a trained physiotherapist who started out in the SAF's Soldier Performance Centre 12 years ago and who went on to become Head Physiotherapist, Ms Wong said it was a heart for the public service that motivated her to stay within the organisation.

"When we interact with the young people and talk to them about Singapore and the importance of Total Defence, and you see that they start to understand their role in society... when you get those moments, it's very special," she said.

At an earlier National Day Awards ceremony officiated by President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam on 11 Nov and held at the National University of Singapore Cultural Centre, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong was awarded the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military), while Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh received the Public Administration Medal (Gold) (Military). Thirty-two other senior SAF officers and nine MINDEF personnel also received the Public Administration Medal for outstanding efficiency, competence and industry at that ceremony.