NURTURING AND ENGAGING THE SAF'S CORE

MINDEF is mindful that its people are the ones who will determine if the SAF can fulfil its mission of protecting and preserving what we have built and hold dear. It constantly looks to developing its people to their fullest potential, recognising the efforts of Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and even encouraging them to actively participate in the community and to contribute to society.

PIONEER speaks to active servicemen and an NSman to see how some of these initiatives have touched their lives.

Staying relevant through lifelong learning

An SAF serviceman needs to stay relevant - both to the SAF and to society.

It was with this belief that 2WO Koh Ping Wah (left) applied for the Continuous Learning Academy Study Scheme (CLASS) award.

CLASS is awarded to outstanding warrant officers and specialists and sponsors their studies in areas relevant to their work.

The mid-career study awards offered by the SAF do not only seek to boost the expertise level of the organisation. In a speech at the Committee of Supply Debate 2008, then-Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen emphasised the need for the SAF to help regulars "realise their aspirations to upgrade their educational qualifications" and, at the same time, provide a fulfilling career.

"Remuneration is important, but employees also want to be developed to their full potential and to give their best to the organisation. This is the philosophy underpinning our incentive schemes," explained Dr Ng.

One of the recipients Dr Ng mentioned was 2WO Koh.
In his speech, Dr Ng lauded 2WO Koh's "strong passion for nursing" and his overseas service in peacekeeping operations in Timor Leste and humanitarian relief operations in post-tsunami Aceh.

The formation senior medic from HQ Guards will pursue a full-time Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Emergency) while receiving his regular pay.

Choosing this course came naturally to 2WO Koh, who currently holds a Diploma in Nursing from Nanyang Polytechnic.

"It's relevant to my current vocation as a combat medic. I hope I can specialise in emergency nursing and enhance my contributions to the SAF," he said.

The self-professed advocate of lifelong learning is relishing the opportunity to hit the books again.

"The world is constantly changing. I feel there is a need for constant self-improvement, so that we can always stay ahead."

"I am also looking forward to meeting new friends and learning new skills," he added.

2WO Koh has a philosophy which he intends to share with his future course mates - that learning is a two-way street.

"I hope that, in the course of my studies, I can interact and exchange ideas with my counterparts in the civilian world more effectively, import new ideas, and widen my perspective of how things can be done."

However, 2WO Koh admitted to some "apprehension and anxiety at adapting to a learning environment." After all, he has been working for 12 years in a highly hands-on and operational vocation.

Thus, he offers some words of advice to those who are considering applying for CLASS.

"Attempting to further your studies is a bold move, as you really have to weigh your priorities in life. The change from a working environment to a learning one requires much determination and dedication.

"To me, taking this step forward is about self-actualisation. I would urge others to take the leap only when they are ready for the challenge, and are prepared to make some sacrifices."
 

A record of sterling service

LTA (NS) Joshua Chao Jang En was a deputy manpower officer in the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards during his NSF days.

During his Basic Military Training, he was recognised as the Best Recruit in Falcon Company. At Officer Cadet School, he was awarded a prize for being the best in physical training in his batch.

LTA (NS) Chao went on to receive two Individual Physical Proficiency Test gold awards in 2006 and 2007, and was awarded outstanding results for a human resource audit in the work year of 2007/2008.

At last year's National Day Parade, LTA (NS) Chao served as his battalion's ensign, braving rigorous training and sacrificing his weekends.

Under the old Certificate of Service (COS), however, LTA (NS) Chao's achievements would not have been recorded, and his in-service accolades would not have mattered much in the working world.

The COS is presented to NSFs upon completion of their full-time NS, and used to contain basic information about a serviceman's vocation and his grades in conduct and performance.

To show its appreciation towards NSFs, MINDEF introduced an enhancement to the COS in November 2007.

Recently unveiled by Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee at a sitting of Parliament, the enhanced COS has been redesigned as a "qualitative write-up that highlights the serviceman's key achievements and provides employers with an insight into his qualities".

The enhanced COS fully states LTA (NS) Chao's NSF achievements, allowing potential employers to have a better picture of his accomplishments.

A chat with LTA (NS) Chao showed the young man s deep appreciation for the changes introduced to the COS - changes that he felt would definitely benefit every NSF.

"I feel glad that the SAF is giving this to us in appreciation of our service. It goes to show that the SAF cares beyond our service in the force," he said. "It is a short but effective summary of our two years of NS, and is useful in effectively bringing across our work attitudes and values to future employers or scholarship providers."

Like many other NSFs, LTA (NS) Chao will be making full use of his COS when it comes to job hunting.

Another addition to the COS is an individually-written testimonial for each serviceman.

Said LTA (NS) Chao: "When I first read through my testimonial, written by my S1, CPT Lew, I was amazed by its amount of detail. It was just heartwarming to know that he remembered and appreciated my efforts."

Addressing his peers, the 20-year-old noted the significance of the enhanced COS. "The COS is much more than just a leaving certificate. It is also a tool for reflection of how my two years were spent, reminding me of the valuable experiences and lessons learnt."

"To those who do not feel much for the two years of NS, read your testimonial and seriously reflect on your experiences and the lessons learnt, and hopefully you can see what NS has done for you," he offered.

Caring for our fellow men

When the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami struck, Commanding Officer of Paya Lebar Air Base's Field Defence Squadron LTC Amudhan experienced a flurry of action all around him.

At all hours of the day, food and aid supplies were transported to the base, which was temporarily transformed into the regional command centre for post-tsunami operations.

LTC Amudhan spoke to the C-130 pilots who were responsible for ferrying the supplies to the affected areas, and learnt more about the situation at hand, on top of what he saw in the news.

"I know I was helping indirectly since I was responsible for the security of the air base. We needed to make sure all the aid supplies that came through were safe before loading them onto the aircraft," he told PIONEER.

"But I wanted to be more directly involved. I think what most Singaporeans did then was to donate money. It's easy to give money and let someone else take care of it. I wanted to be more hands-on."

LTC Amudhan finally found his chance to contribute in October 2005. His wife Vimala informed him about Project Coast2Coast, a community-based overseas humanitarian expedition programme that was initiated by the Ayer Rajah-West Coast Citizens' Consultative Committee.

"I had about a month of leave left and after speaking to my boss, who was very supportive, I decided to join their community outreach in Banda Aceh," said
LTC Amudhan.

"The project centred around the building of two kindergartens made of concrete bricks for the children in Lamteh and Leung Bata. Their schools were affected by the tsunami and they were studying in makeshift wooden tool sheds."

The team was there for about two weeks, and they plunged straight into action by laying bricks, painting, making the footpath, putting up the fence and turfing the ground.

On top of that, they also organised interactive sessions with the kids and set up a playground and a library at each of the kindergartens with the loads of pictorial books that they brought along.

Although the team had two months of training - which included team-building camps and weekly Indonesia language lessons - and were all mentally prepared for the task at hand, it was very physically demanding.

The 28 of them worked at the site every day from 8am till about 7pm.

"We were out in the sun, digging, shovelling and mixing cement. Suddenly we were using muscles we never knew we had!" recalled LTC Amudhan.

"But it was fulfilling. When you remember that you are doing this for the kids, who will now have a decent place to study, you really feel good."

LTC Amudhan felt all his years in the SAF had stood him in good stead for his first overseas humanitarian mission.

"For example, the core values, the ability to plan, the fighting spirit and being able to work together as a team. You can put a person who has undergone SAF training into any team, and he'll do well!" he said.
 

"In the SAF, the mission comes first. With this mindset, if you know that a footpath must be finished by tomorrow, you will overcome the heat, tiredness and thirst and get it done."

The reward for all their sweat and toil was the smiles on the children's faces at the opening ceremony on 17 Dec 05, as they dashed into the buildings and marvelled at the brand new furnishings.

About 120 children have benefited from the new schools, and so will countless others in the years to come.

Assoc Prof Koo commended LTC Amudhan during a recent Parliament sitting and said such "community involvement and interaction are crucial to building societal support for our soldiers and national defence".

For LTC Amudhan, who, along with his family, is now very active in his church's community outreach projects, what spurred him on was his desire to make a difference to society in any way possible.

"We don't realise how fortunate we are that things work like clockwork here, and that we don't live in fear of natural disasters," he said.

"My family and I are very blessed. I just want to give back to society whatever I can."

He advised all Singaporeans who are keen to extend a helping hand to just move out of their comfort zone and boldly take the first step - no matter how big or small.

"You don't necessarily have to go overseas to help. In Singapore, there are less fortunate people and families," he added.