He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS

They were knee-deep in snow, wearing thick layers of clothing to protect themselves from the sub-zero temperature. Each step was heavy as they dug their crampons into the icy paths.

Finally, they reached the peak of Mount Asama, in Honshu, Japan.

The air was thick with sulfur fumes. Their guide sternly told them not to take long as they unfurled a gigantic Officer Cadet School (OCS) flag to mark their summit.

A winter ascent of this active volcano is uncommon and harsh. Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Leow Kah Shin embarked on this adventure in January, with his OCS mates of 25 years.

Such expeditions are not new to LTC (NS) Leow.

In 2018, he became the first Singaporean to summit Mt Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world; as well as the first person in Southeast Asia to summit both Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse in 24 hours.

But his three buddies – LTC (NS) Wan Howe Chung; Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) (NS) Goh Seng Wee; and Major (MAJ) (NS) Melvin Tan – were attempting a winter trek for the first time.

“The toughest part was that they were not used to climbing in ice and snow. I was the only experienced mountain climber,” said LTC (NS) Leow, 45.

“They had to level up very quickly and be thrown into the deep end from day one.”

Exercise Longwalk

The band of brothers met in 1998 as young officer cadets from Delta Company, and went through tough training together.

“We faced non-stop rigour and would be locked in push-up positions on the parade square even when others had ‘lights out’.

“The bonds we formed were so intense that it survived 25 years later,” said LTC (NS) Leow, who works in a financial institution.

Their Japan climb this year was one of many adventures that the gang organises together, in an annual affair they dubbed “Exercise Longwalk”.

Past “exercises” included overnight hikes in Singapore, with more participating members. “We met in tri-Service term (during OCS) and moved on to serve in different camps,” explained LTC (NS) Leow.

“We did things like an overnight hike from 10pm to 5am, and walking east to west to every single camp we each served in.”

LTC (NS) Leow now serves as Commanding Officer of 411th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (411 SAR) – a role he took over in 2021.

In his company’s recent Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) evaluation this April, he was touched to see his fellow Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) giving their all in the exercise.

“I could see them giving their best to fight against the ‘opposing’ soldiers who were more than 10 years their junior, but they never gave up,” he recalled.

“Their commitment to serve is nothing short of inspiring. With a band of brothers like this, I am ready to defend my country with them anytime.”

A book for fellow NSmen

With LTC (NS) Leow’s passion for National Service (NS), it is no wonder that he published a children’s book on the topic – he even roped in his family for the project!

Titled Daddy Daddy, where are you going?, the book was designed for fathers to read to their children, and includes activities like colouring and finding hidden objects.

LTC (NS) Leow’s wife, Madam Tan Lijun, helped pen his thoughts onto paper while his recently-retired father-in-law Tan Tai Soon illustrated the book – they were awarded the Total Defence Advocate Award for individuals on 10 Oct.

LTC (NS) Leow’s two daughters – Raelynn, 11, and Raeanne, nine – also contributed to some of the drawings.

“We actually had fun together with the trial and error. I’m not a professional illustrator so they were many sketches – some were funny ones that we would laugh over!” said Mr Tan.

Interestingly, LTC (NS) Leow didn’t do the book for his two girls, but for his fellow NSmen. “When my girls were little, they didn’t understand why I had to put on my uniform and be away for two to three weeks a year,” he said.

“Now they are older, but there are many servicemen in my battalion who are in that situation. Hopefully this book will help very young children understand why their daddies have to be away.”

“And perhaps help daddies internalise why they serve as well.”