I served in the Singapore Army between 10082021 to 09082023. This documents my reflections after 2 years, and many memorable experiences.

Swift And Deadly (Aug-Dec 2021)

I started my BMT journey in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with Scorpion Company as part of the 04/21 enhanced intake. Enlisting at Selarang Camp, my family were not able to join me to send me off at Tekong Island. The 4 months of PTP and BMT training was tough, transiting from civilian to soldier, but my platoon (4) and section (1) made it bearable. 4 months passed quickly, and I was on to my next challenge.

Nothing Less Than Best, Delta! (Dec 2021)

After BMT, I joined Delta Wing at Officer Cadet School (OCS) for the 2 week Common Leadership Module. It was yet another transition from recruits to officer cadets. Having much higher expectations and the need to perform (Nothing Less than Best) set the tone for the next 8.5 months of officer training.

Be It, Live It, Tango! (Jan - Mar 2022)

I spent 3 months with Tango Wing, OCS, as part of the 3 month Service Term. We were trained in section-level infantry tactics and soldiering skills. The time spent with Platoon 1 and Section 3 were amongst my best memories of the 2 years in NS. We spent much time outfield, from EX Cocoon to EX Centipede, EX Dump-In and EX Relentless, and we finished Service Term with a 12km Route March back to SAFTI, before being presented our senior cadet bars.

Together We Inspire, Arty! (Apr - Aug 2022)

I was happy to be posted to Artillery Institute at Khatib Camp, to be trained as an Artillery officer. The focus on safety, timeliness and precision was extremely high, and I certainly had a tough time there. The strong support from my Syndicate both in Yankee Battery and later on, Liaison Battery most definitely helped. As a Forward Observer trainee, I underwent 5 major exercises: EX Milo, EX Thundersteam, EX Thunderbird, EX Milady, and EX Vulcan. We also travelled to Thailand for EX BattleKing, a live firing exercise which strengthened the belief that Artillery is indeed the King of the Battlefield. Seeing 155mm artillery rounds impact the ground showed me the strength of the Artillery and how we can be a decisive factor in the battlefield. With that, we graduated from Artillery Institute as part of the 77th Field Artillery Cadet Course (FAOCC), as a future gunner to be.

To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome! (Aug - Sep 2022)

The last 3 weeks of my OCS journey was spent back in SAFTI in preparation for our commissioning parade. We had lots of talks, dialogues, attempts from recruitment to get us to sign-on, and of course parade rehearsals. Commissioning on the 10th of September infront of my family and friends brought the last 9 months of tough traing to an end, and we were ready for our next challenge in the active units.

The Victorious Battatlion (Sep 2022 - Apr 2023)

I was posted to HQ Company, 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards (3GDS) as a Forward Observer. I served as part of the Fire Support Team, a small team of 12, responsible for directing land and air fires on behalf of the Guards Battalion. We planned for the integration of artilery fires to help the manoeuvre forces achieve its mission success. The time spent in 3GDS was eye-opening and filled with lots of experiences that I would otherwise not have gone through, if not for my posting there. We fought the Opfor in ATEC in April 2023, and the battalion turned operationally ready shortly after. I would see them again as part of my NS unit in the future.

The Premier Precision Force (May - Aug 2023)

I came back to the Artillery under the purview of 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23SA). Despite the lack of adventure and excitement as compared to the Guards Bn, for some reason, being part of 23SA fills me with more pride. Being a part of a long history of gunners who at one point in their lives stepped through 23SA makes me feel proud to be a part of this battalion. And to represent 23SA (and the Artillery as a whole) as a Forward Observer to the manoeuvre force is a privilege. I saw the importance of the work I do, as a future Fire Support Officer, when I attended the 131st Company Tactics Course (131st CTC). The power of the Artillery, as part of combined-arms tactics have the ability to shape the battlefield and win the battle for the manoeuvre. My time spent representing the formation at the 131st CTC renewed my belief that I made the right choice in OCS, opting to train as an artillery officer, and for a future Fire Support Officer appointment.

09 August 2023 - I am no longer a NSF, but a NSman. The last 2 years were long and draining, but I see its importance to our nation’s defence as a deterrence force. I am proud to have served in both 3GDS and 23SA, and extremely thankful for the people who served alongside me, from BMT till ORD. Thank you all, and I salute you 🫡