WHAT A RUSH

1459392112225 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1459392112225.jpg?sfvrsn=9f36aae2_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/WHAT-A-RUSH
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/WHAT-A-RUSH
WHAT A RUSH
31 Mar 2016 | PEOPLE

WHAT A RUSH

STORY // Benita Teo
PHOTO // Mark Teo

Some say life starts at 30. For Ms Shaallini Gnamani, her big 3-0 was marked with a death-defying stunt: skydiving from some 14,000ft in Australia's Jurien Bay!

"The moment I jumped out of the plane, all I saw were the blues of the sky and ocean. Everything was so beautiful, I couldn't even feel the fear anymore," she gushed. "I've wanted to skydive since I was young. How else can you jump out of a plane and be alive?"

This hunger for adrenalin has even taken her on expeditions such as a deep-sea dive in the Maldives. "I believe in looking back on life and saying, 'I can't believe I did that' instead of 'I wish I did that.'"

As a Staff Officer (Vocation Advisory Authority), she sees to future planning and policy setting, reviewing human resource policies related to full-time National Servicemen and Regulars. What drives her is the opportunity to work on new projects.

"My job is project-based, so I get to handle the many different projects that come along. That way, I'm always taking on new challenges."


Suggested Reading
INSPIRED TO LEAD, COMMITTED TO SERVE
PEOPLE
13 Sep 2025

Teamwork, discipline and resilience: These values were instilled in 2LT Nithira and 2LT Dylan Loo in sport and at school, and continue to guide them as newly minted SAF officers.

Cover story
EX FORGING SABRE RAMPS UP USE OF UNMANNED ASSETS IN INTEGRATED STRIKE OPERATIONS
OPS & TRAINING
12 Sep 2025

In this 10th edition of Exercise Forging Sabre, the SAF sharpened its cutting edge for the dynamic modern battlefield, with expanded integration between manned and unmanned platforms.

Feature
CHIEF, SAILOR, BROTHER
PEOPLE
03 Sep 2025

If the heart of a ship is its engine, then ME3 Malcolm Tan is the man who keeps its pulse healthy: he makes sure both vessel and crew are in top shape.

BACK FROM GAZA AID AIRDROP MISSION
OPS & TRAINING
02 Sep 2025

On 25 Aug, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft returned to Singapore after completing the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF’s) delivery of the ninth tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This was also the second airdrop operation to send aid to the region.

Feature
MENTOR & ROLE MODEL
PEOPLE
01 Sep 2025

Seeing his trainees become stronger and more confident brings him joy in his work. Meet Air Warfare School instructor CPT Louis Lee.

Feature
SHAPING UP SOLDIERS
PEOPLE
29 Aug 2025

Guardsman 3WO Muhammad Aliff is passionate about making an impact on the growth and development of the soldiers under his charge.

Cover story
TRAINING WITH PURPOSE
PEOPLE
27 Aug 2025

MSG Nathanial Ng displays a quiet steely dedication towards imparting the right knowledge and skills to new Army Deployment Force (ADF) operators.

Cover story
OPERATING OVER SKIES & SEAS
TECHNOLOGY
22 Aug 2025

This gear is designed to help a Sensor Supervisor survive emergencies in the air and at sea.

BECOMING SPECIALIST LEADERS
PEOPLE
21 Aug 2025

3SG Defred Lau and 3SG Danish celebrate a milestone in their NS journeys as they earn their specialist ranks.

Cover story
Geared up against chemical threats
TECHNOLOGY
18 Aug 2025

How do our soldiers keep safe when rescuing casualties of chemical or biological weapons?