06 Jan 2006 | OPS & TRAINING
NO HOLIDAY? NO PROBLEM, SIR!
STORY // Chen Wei Li
PHOTO // Lim Teng Yao
PHOTO // Lim Teng Yao
They were supposed to be celebrating the New Year with their loved ones, but on 31 Dec, men from 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO BN) had an even more important task - to be on 'stand-by' on New Year's Eve, and ready to move out at two hours' notice.
"A month ago, we were told that we were going to do so," said Corporal (CPL) Kesavan Nair. "So we are already mentally prepared for this."
CPL Nair, like everyone else at 1 CDO BN, understood the rationale for being on stand-by.
As he explained, the Singapore Armed Forces had to maintain vigilance while everyone else was on holiday. If there were to be any threats, like terrorist attacks, during this festive season, CPL Nair and his fellow commandos would respond swiftly.
However, being on stand-by meant sacrificing a meaningful weekend with loved ones as 2006 approached. Fortunately, the commandos' families understood and supported the men.
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Alvin Yap had the support of his girlfriend and that helped to lift his spirits. "She s very supportive of what I'm doing and she understands that I am doing my part to keep Singapore safe," he said.
"At the end of the day, I know that I have my family, whom I am protecting, to go back to," added 2LT Yap.
Thankfully, Singapore welcomed 2006 without any incidents and both CPL Nair and 2LT Yap can now look forward to some time away from their duties to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones.
"A month ago, we were told that we were going to do so," said Corporal (CPL) Kesavan Nair. "So we are already mentally prepared for this."
CPL Nair, like everyone else at 1 CDO BN, understood the rationale for being on stand-by.
As he explained, the Singapore Armed Forces had to maintain vigilance while everyone else was on holiday. If there were to be any threats, like terrorist attacks, during this festive season, CPL Nair and his fellow commandos would respond swiftly.
However, being on stand-by meant sacrificing a meaningful weekend with loved ones as 2006 approached. Fortunately, the commandos' families understood and supported the men.
Second Lieutenant (2LT) Alvin Yap had the support of his girlfriend and that helped to lift his spirits. "She s very supportive of what I'm doing and she understands that I am doing my part to keep Singapore safe," he said.
"At the end of the day, I know that I have my family, whom I am protecting, to go back to," added 2LT Yap.
Thankfully, Singapore welcomed 2006 without any incidents and both CPL Nair and 2LT Yap can now look forward to some time away from their duties to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones.
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