They’re leading the SAF of tomorrow

Platoon Commander Lieutenant (LTA) Aryan Vinayak Gupta and pilot trainee Officer Cadet (OCT) Tristan Lock share many similarities.

They are both heading to the University of Oxford to pursue a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and are both this year’s Defence Scholarship recipients.

However, their greatest similarity is that they are both chasing their dream careers in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) that they’ve had since childhood.

NDP’s #1 fan

As a child, LTA Gupta was captivated by the sights and sounds of the SAF at the National Day Parade (NDP).

As he lived near the Marina Bay Floating Platform, he would take the chance to catch a glimpse of the vehicles moving in for the weekly rehearsals.

“Every weekend, I would go out to watch the vehicles, and in the evening, I'd make sure I stood by to catch the flag flypast or aerial display,” said the 21-year-old.

He found his calling after enlisting for National Service (NS) in January 2024.

Being a platoon commander in 8th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (8 SIR) helped him grow as a leader and shaped his leadership principles.

He learnt from his commanders who mentored him through his service, and witnessed the positive impact he made on his men.

“Command is a privilege,” LTA Gupta shared.

He credits his Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ken Miura for instilling in him the belief that commanders must "be the difference" in their soldiers' NS experience.

Landing his dream job

LTA Gupta completed his NS in November 2025 and extended his service for another four months.

As his approached the end of his extension, he began reflecting on the sense of fulfilment and meaning he found in the SAF. At that time, he had already received his placement at Oxford University.

Encouraged by his commanders, he applied for the SAF Merit Scholarship and was accepted.

Receiving the scholarship offer email was a “full circle moment,” said LTA Gupta.

He recounted the moment: “It was after our ORD (Operationally Ready Date) parade, and I was standing in the exact same spot where I got my Oxford acceptance email, and my commanders were the first to hear the news.”

LTA Gupta was among the 101 recipients who were awarded defence scholarships in a ceremony at Temasek Club on 12 Aug.

Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing attended the ceremony, where he presented the awards to the cohort of future defence leaders.

Speaking to the scholars and their loved ones, Mr Chan highlighted the need for leaders to be forward-thinking and proficient with new technologies.

He said: “Your challenge is to stay ahead of the curve, to master these (emerging) technologies before they become commonplace, and to ensure that Singapore remains at the forefront of defence innovation.”

Mr Chan also reminded them to care for the men and women under their charge: “Leadership is not just about strategy and technology; it is ultimately about people."

For 19-year-old OCT Lock, the military was always close to home.

His father, Colonel (COL) (NS) Willy Lock was a Commando Regular, and served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Blue Ridge.

OCT Lock’s earliest memory of his father in service was a talking to him in a videocall when he was a toddler.

"I remember my mom turned on the TV, and there was a video of my dad in uniform, talking to me through the screen," OCT Lock recalled.

"I didn't fully understand where he was, but I was excited to see his face."

Childhood dreams take flight

OCT Lock developed a love for aviation as a child, and joined the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) in 2024.

Despite initial challenges learning to fly, OCT Lock found the experience freeing.

“In that moment, you are very focused on yourself, the aircraft, and the flight.”

Under the guidance of his instructors, OCT Lock earned his pilot's license in February 2025.

OCT Lock signed on as a Republic of Singapore Air Force pilot in December 2025 and enlisted the following month.

Witnessing his father’s service and sacrifices for Singapore’s defence gave him a deep respect for those who serve in the SAF, and shaped his own desire to play his part and continue the legacy.

“To me, signing on is more than a career – it’s a commitment to a cause larger than myself.”

Putting people first

OCT Lock is a recipient of the SAF Scholarship, a prestigious scholarship second only to the President’s Scholarship.

For OCT Lock, his experiences in Basic Military Training (BMT) and Officer Cadet Course have taught him that military leadership is fundamentally about putting people first.

“If you want to achieve outcomes, you must first care for your people,” he explained.

“Providing welfare for your men and achieving mission success are not mutually exclusive goals; they reinforce one another.”