WELCOMING THE 3WO RANK

For Master Sergeant (MSG) Dorairaj becoming a warrant officer is something which he has always aspired to do since he signed on with the Army 13 years ago.

"It's the ultimate goal in our line and it marks a great achievement and turning point in our lives," said the Headquarters Battery Sergeant Major from the 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery.

On 1 Apr, he was one of several others who officially became a member of the Warrant Officer Corps as they proudly wore their 3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) rank epaulette. This new rank was introduced under the Enhanced Warrant Officers' (EWO) scheme as part of a recent review of the Singapore Armed Forces' career schemes. Specialists who perform well can attain the rank as early as their sixth year of service.

"It's a significant vote of confidence by the organisation," noted naval diver MSG Willy Tan from the Naval Diving Unit.

"Warrant Officers and Specialist (WOSpecs) have always been regarded as the backbone of the SAF in terms of their experience and as subject matter experts on professional military matters," he said.

"With the new scheme, specialists will be empowered with greater authority and responsibility in a shorter time. Given the higher educational level of the WOSpec Corp today, I think the 3WOs have the capacity to take on larger roles and responsibilities."

MSG Dorairaj agreed, adding: "Experience comes with years, but the earlier exposure will allow specialists to learn more at an earlier stage."

"Those with high aspirations will be given the chance to accelerate at a faster pace, and the new rank will motivate them to excel even further."

To maximise the potential of specialists and meet their aspirations to upgrade themselves academically, promising personnel under the EWO scheme can pursue their degree studies as early as the end of their second year of service.

Such opportunities for academic upgrading is what MSG Sharin Bin Abdul Rahman, a Transport Leader from Transport Hub East, finds most appealing about the enhanced scheme. He has recently received the Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme (CLASS) local degree sponsorship to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree programme in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at UniSIM.

The new skills and knowledge that he gains from his studies will help in his daily work and enable him to contribute to the organisation even more, MSG Sharin told cyberpioneer.

"After all, being promoted to the next rank doesn't mean you just switch off; in fact, it's a recognition for your hard work, so you should put in even more effort afterwards in whatever you do," he added.

Similarly, MSG Yuen Pui Ling from the Air Defence Group, 163 Squadron, clinched a diploma sponsorship and will be embarking on a her studies in electrical engineering at Singapore Polytechnic soon.

With her latest promotion, the Tactical Control Assistant Chief expressed her confidence in handling any challenges that the new appointment may bring. "It's a recognition of your potential, and as young warrant officers, we have to hold more responsibilities and be ready to lead our men by example."

When asked if she was looking forward to 1 Apr, MSG Yuen replied readily with a smile: "Definitely! Even though it's April Fool's day, I still want to wear my new rank!"