Bringing their experience into leadership

“Why did you decide to extend your NS?” is a question that 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Hemman S/O Rames often hears from the people around him.

Then a Specialist in STrike ObserveR Mission (STORM) Battery, 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery, 2LT Hemman enlisted on 23 Jan 2023 and would have completed his full-time National Service (NS) in January 2025.

Instead, the 22-year-old chose to step up as a leader, and worked towards getting into Officer Cadet School (OCS).

Today, his efforts came to fruition when he was commissioned as an officer in front of his family.

Inspired to be a leader

During his time as a Full-time Serviceman (NSF) 2nd In-charge in STORM Battery, 2LT Hemman led and managed a team of up to 30 troopers, ensuring that they were well-trained, disciplined and prepared for the tasks they had to carry out.

This role inspired him to do more: “I found my service meaningful and fulfilling, which motivated me to extend my service through a Short-Term Contract.”

While serving his Short-Term Contract of about a year, he felt the desire to step out of his comfort zone and further develop his leadership skills.

Realising his calling, he signed on as a Regular in the Singapore Army before the end of his contract.

“As a Specialist, I was accustomed to executing tasks and ensuring that they were completed well.

“However, I wanted to challenge myself to move beyond execution, and learn how to set clear directions, establish broader goals, and plan towards achieving them.”

On 30 Mar, he entered OCS and began the Officer Cadet Course (OCC).

Taking ownership

2LT Hemman is thankful that his experience as a Specialist gave him a good understanding of what it’s like to be on the ground.

“I learnt that leadership is not simply about giving instructions. It is about understanding your men, communicating clearly, and setting the right example,” he explained.

“One lesson I carried into OCS was the importance of taking ownership – as a Specialist, I was responsible for ensuring that tasks were completed properly, and I brought that same sense of responsibility with me.”

Learning to lead

Although 2LT Hemman went into OCS wanting to be the best he could be, he admitted that things weren’t always smooth sailing.

One of the biggest challenges he faced was how to effectively manage a much larger group of men than he was used to.

He took on too many responsibilities by himself and was overwhelmed.

Eventually, he learnt to delegate tasks based on his peers’ strengths, communicate expectations to them clearly, and trust them to perform their roles.

“This experience taught me that effective leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but enabling your team to perform well,” he said.

2LT Hemman’s hard work paid off.

He graduated at the top of his OCS cohort and was awarded the Sword of Honour at the commissioning parade held at SAFTI Military Institute on 12 Sep.

On receiving top honours, 2LT Hemman shared: “I am thankful to the commanders, instructors and peers who have supported me throughout my journey.

Following his commissioning, 2LT Hemman will become an instructor in OCS Sierra Wing.

“I hope to be the kind of leader who leaves a positive impact on the people around me, just as my commanders did for me!” he said.

From football field to outfield

Among the 219 newly commissioned officers was footballer 2LT Saiful Azhar.

At the age of seven, 2LT Saiful Azhar took up football as a co-curricular activity in primary school and immediately fell in love with the sport.

When he was 18, he joined professional football club Tanjong Pagar United FC.

He played in the Under-21 squad for two consecutive years before being offered to join the senior squad, earning himself a place in the Singapore Premier League.

“It was pretty surreal to find out that I was going to be playing alongside some of Singapore’s stars and also representing the club at a higher level,” he shared.

Almost 15 years of football has taught 2LT Azhar important values like discipline, communication and commitment.

Naturally, the 21-year-old NSF applied these values to his NS journey after enlisting into Basic Military Training (BMT) on 2 Oct 2025.

“Football is a team sport where everyone has a role and responsibility to fulfil. The same goes for NS,” 2LT Azhar explained

“The determination, discipline and commitment from every individual ensures that everything is executed in the correct order. Team effort is just as important as individual performance.”

Learning to manage high expectations

Like 2LT Hemman, 2LT Azhar struggled when he first entered OCS on 14 Dec last year, finding the new environment intimidating.

He also felt pressured by the high expectations put on him during the SAF Leadership Term, a two-week leadership module in the OCC.

But with the support of his trainers, fellow cadets and loved ones, he managed to overcome his fears and completed the module confidently.

Buddies to lean on

2LT Azhar recalled the “physically and mentally demanding” Jungle Confidence Course (JCC), where he and his fellow cadets had to operate in an unfamiliar terrain and manage their fatigue levels while meeting the mission objectives.

He was grateful to have the support of his teammates through the grueling training: “None of us would have completed the JCC and earned our badges without one another.”

Following his commissioning, 2LT Azhar will be going to 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards as a Forward Observer.

“It’s a huge opportunity to further hone my skills and challenge myself to be a better artillery officer and individual.

“I hope to build good relationships and connect with everyone in the unit, which I think is vital not only to building a strong and effective team, but also fostering trust (among the troopers) within the unit!”