MOVING UP AS MILITARY EXPERTS

"Don't be a fool. The Navy doesn't need you to have a degree."

This was what a friend told Military Expert (ME) 4 Teng Han Leng while he was juggling his part-time studies, work and family.

"Well, he was partially right. A high education level doesn't necessarily equate success," admitted the Lead Combat Systems Engineer of 171 Squadron frankly.

He believes, however, that what differentiates "a successful person and one who is not, is the desire to always seek self-improvement, knowledge and excellence". This motivated him to excel in the Military Domain Expert Course (MDEC), where he emerged as the top graduate.

For his distinguished performance during the course, he was presented the Sword of Honour by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the inaugural Senior ME appointment ceremony held at SAFTI Military Institute on 15 Jul.

Dr Ng, who officiated at the ceremony, stressed that the MDES is not just a career path, and that "all three - the soldier, the commander and the domain expert - will need to build up their full potential for the SAF to function at its optimum".

He noted: "The military expert community must see itself as a critical pillar that complements the officer and warrant officer corps to enhance the coverall combat capability of our men and women in the field, and build a strong defence for Singapore."

As a newly-emplaced senior ME, ME4 Teng looks forward to assuming roles such as Combat Systems Engineer on board submarines or Section Head in the maintenance base, which were appointments taken up solely by commissioned officers in the past.

"The MDES (Military Domain Expert Scheme) has opened up new growth areas that allow us to leverage on the potential and expert knowledge that the MEs have built up over the years," added the 34-year-old.

"It allows me to be a professional soldier while allowing me to specialise in my area of expertise. Being paid for doing what I have studied (engineering) and what I am committed to (the defence of our country), is the most rewarding thing about being an ME."

Held in two phases, the MDEC can span up to 49 weeks, depending on the individual's experience and academic qualifications. There are two intakes for the MDEC every year in April and October.

The first phase of the course focuses on building domain knowledge as well as leadership and organisation management skills. In the second phase, participants develop and translate knowledge from their undergraduate studies or experience gained from previous appointments for use in Senior ME jobs.

Personnel who are recruited via study awards, as well as ME1 and ME2 servicemen who possess relevant and recognised university degrees, are required to attend the first phase of MDEC. They will don the ME4 (Trainee) rank insignia, which comprises the MDES crest and a thick white bar.

Mid-stream recruits who are degree-holders will undergo the first phase of the course on a case-by-case basis, while those getting promoted or emplaced from the rank of ME3 will only attend the second phase of the course.

During the second phase of MDEC, all course participants will don the ME4 (Apprentice) rank, which is similar to the ME4 (Trainee) rank insignia except with a thick gold bar. After completing the MDEC, they will be appointed as ME4.

Among the pioneer batch of 41 graduands was ME4 S Arivazhagan. A Sword of Merit recipient, the staff officer of the Air Logistics Department said the course had given him a greater understanding of the various weapon systems in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and their integration into the larger SAF.

"The MDEC is accredited with local educational institutions like UniSIM, which allows for credit exemptions in local degree programmes...and I'm hoping to take up the CLASS (Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme) award to get a part-time degree education related to my field of expertise," he added.

Having been in service for over 20 years, the 43-year-old has plenty of ground experience in nurturing his men and developing his technical skills. "I feel energised and recharged by the knowledge I gained during the MDEC... and as an ME4, I see greater opportunities in holding staff appointments, understanding the different capabilities of the SAF and honing my leadership skills."

For ME4 Kevin Soon, a Brigade Technical Officer in the Headquarters Army Combat Engineers Group, it has been a long but fruitful learning experience of about eight months under the two MDEC phases. For his efforts in the course, he received the Sword of Merit at the ceremony.

Enlisting in the Army last year after obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering, the 27-year-old told cyberpioneer: "My motivation in joining the MDES stems from the fact that military technologies are exclusive and cutting-edge. Having the chance to be involved with the development of such machines is very enticing.

"Second, the extended retirement of up to age 60 allows for time and space to deepen our expertise and domain specialisation."

Sharing the same sentiment was 27-year-old ME4 Kirsten Yuan, an Officer-in-Charge in the Air Logistics Group (ALG)-Rotary Wing, who also underwent both phases of the course.

"The MDES allows deep specialisation in engineering through continuous training... and opens up more opportunities for professional development. With the extended career, there is really no difference from the commercial world."

The newly-minted Senior MEs will go on to assume command or technical appointments in their professional areas.

Also present at the ceremony were Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, the three Service chiefs and other senior SAF officers, as well as families and friends of the graduands.

Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES)

First announced by then Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean in October 2009, the MDES was one of several changes which resulted from a fundamental review of the SAF's career schemes to better match the complex demands of the 3rd Generation SAF with the needs and aspirations of its servicemen.

The scheme kicked off on 1 Apr 2010, and features an eight-rank structure from ME1 to ME8, with vocations ranging from engineering to military intelligence and military medicine. There are two main entry points at ME1 (for those holding diploma qualifications) and ME4 (for university graduates).

This highly specialised corps of uniformed personnel comprises both degree and diploma holders, and is designed to complement the officers' and warrant officers' career schemes. Their career progression is based on professional skills, expertise and responsibilities, with market-competitive salaries bench-marked against similar jobs in the private sector.

Regulars under this scheme can look forward to career up to age 60. As military personnel, they will continue to bear arms and be deployed in operational roles when required.