Roll with it

How much further? All the way from her home in Woodlands to Marina Bay to be exact, a journey that takes three hours each way.

2nd Sergeant (2SG) NurSheila Zuraidah Bte Zulkarnain gets together with some of her friends, who are also Singapore Armed Forces Regulars, at least twice a month to cycle.

Besides cycling, the sporty 22-year-old also plays netball and enjoys running. "I like to sweat it out and keep my fitness level up. These activities help me calm my mind."

Having grown up on a diet of American action movies, 2SG NurSheila always knew she wanted to don a uniform when she grew up. And it was her love for crime dramas like CSI and Criminal Minds that attracted her to join the military police.

"I've always been interested in forensics. There's a unit in Military Police Command that does forensics and my goal is to be posted there."

For now, she is with Platoon 1 Law Enforcement and Ceremonial Company. Part of her duty is to run routine spot checks on camps to look for contraband items. The company also participates in parades.

As a platoon sergeant, 2SG NurSheila has to ensure that the 40 men under her charge carry out their duties well. She doesn't believe in punishing her men or getting angry when something goes wrong.

Her men have told her that they feel more comfortable confiding in her because of her open communication style.

"I'd rather communicate, get to the bottom of things and solve the problem. It's about motivating them to carry out their tasks."