1,134 GRADUATE AS SAF SPECIALISTS

While clearing out old photographs, 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Nur Farah Atiqah Binte Mohamad Ah Halim literally found her calling -- to join the Army. This was in the form of a photograph of her late grandfather in his No. 1 uniform.

"I was in my early teens I asked my mum if he served in the Army and she said that he was part of the Singapore Armed Forces band. I promised myself that one day, I would don the same uniform as him."

More than 10 years on, the now-26-year-old has fulfilled that dream. She not only signed on with the Army last October, spurred on by her husband who is a Regular with the Military Police, but also excelled in the Specialist Cadet Course.

The Silver Bayonet recipient is one of 1,134 cadets who graduated as specialists, in a parade held on 24 Aug at Pasir Laba Camp. The ceremony marked the completion of 22 weeks of training in combat and leadership.

The Parade was reviewed by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communication & Information and Ministry of Education.

In his speech, Dr Puthucheary warned that the terror threat is a very real and close problem for Singapore.

"In this complex world in this challenging security environment, it is crucial to have strong leadership across all ranks in the SAF."

Addressing the graduating specialist cadets, Dr Puthucheary said: "In this era of troubled peace, we need leaders like you to prepare our men, our women and our nation for the unpredictable.

"Should war or terrorist acts happen on our soil, you must be -- and you are -- ready to respond and lead to protect our country and our home."

A Golden Bayonet recipient at the ceremony was 3SG Yap Jia Le, who earned the Distinguished Honour Graduate title awarded to the top 21 graduates.

The course taught the 19-year-old important leadership skills, such as how being an In-Charge (IC) was not always about pushing his team to reach the objective.

"What my instructor taught me, and what I did, was to push myself harder than I pushed the rest," said the Full-time National Serviceman (NSF), who will be serving as an Air Defence Systems Specialist in the Republic of Singapore Air Force's 163 Squadron.

"I would run from place to place, asking them to drink up and looking after their welfare. Knowing that the IC is working hard, they (will) feel that urge to work towards the mission objective faster.

"By showing care and concern, we motivated them it was more efficient."

Fellow newly minted specialist 3SG Ho Juin Jie also hopes to be a responsible and capable leader to his men.

Prior to his specialist cadet training, the 19-year-old NSF from the Naval Diving Unit sought advice from his older brother, a Naval Officer.

"He told me that leading men is not easy. (I have to) get to know my men better so as to work to their strengths.

"I hope I (will be) a leader that my batch mates can look up to and I can guide them in the correct way."