One trained in the dense jungle, the other on the open sea. But both 2LT Adam Ari Brest and 2LT Muhammad Izzat Hadi arrived at the same lesson: to lead is to lift the team around you.
2LT Brest (left) and 2LT Izzat Hadi were among 398 officers commissioned at SAFTI Military Institute on 13 Jun.
Story by Darren Kho
Photos by Chai Sian Liang, Loh Yu Ze & courtesy of interviewees
Like many pre-enlistees, 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Adam Ari Brest approached his enlistment with apprehension. “To be honest, I dreaded the thought of joining NS (National Service) initially,” he admitted.
All that changed with a single click.
While filling in his vocation interest form at Central Manpower Base, he came across a video of a Commando NSF (full-time national serviceman) executing a static-line jump from a C-130 aircraft.
Intrigued by the vocation, he began to think about how he could make the most of his two years of NS.
The rest was history – the 19-year-old enlisted at Pasir Ris Camp in July 2025 and earned the coveted Red Beret 11 weeks later.
2LT Brest (second row, third from left) celebrating with his fellow Commando officers after their commissioning on 13 Jun.
Grit & growth
Before moving on to Officer Cadet School (OCS), 2LT Brest took on the gruelling Commando Small-Unit Leaders’ Course, which was held from late September to December 2025.
This was where he earned his 3rd Sergeant rank and learned to lead teams under high-pressure conditions.
“It was physically intense and mentally exhausting,” he recalled. “The biggest lesson it taught me was that no plan is perfectly realised — quick thinking, adaptability, and trust in your men are what determine mission success.”
Roughing it in the wild: 2LT Brest during the 10-day JCC outfield in Brunei.
In OCS, his limits were also tested at the Jungle Confidence Course (JCC) in Brunei. The toughest part was a 10-day outfield exercise in which they navigated through dense rainforest, climbed Mount Biang with heavy combat load, and had to survive with only 72 hours of rations.
“After nine straight days of nonstop rain, mud, hunger, and exhaustion, we began our final trek back to camp.
“The most memorable moment was finally seeing the glistening metal gate outside camp in the distance. After 10 days in the jungle, that feeling was indescribable.”
2LT Brest (left) with his older brother, LTA Aaron Alexander Brest, whose stories inspired him to push for command school.
2LT Brest (left) receiving his sword and officer appointment at the Army Appointment Certificate Presentation Ceremony held at the OCS Warriors Hall on 4 Jun.
To be the best he can be
2LT Brest’s decision to try out for OCS was inspired by his older brother, Lieutenant (LTA) Aaron Alexander Brest, an NSF Air Warfare Officer specialising in Ground-Based Air Defence.
“Growing up, I always looked up to him. Hearing his stories about responsibility, decision-making, and leadership made me realise how much influence commanders can have over the people under them.”
2LT Brest (right) receiving the Sword of Honour from Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, at his officer cadet course commissioning parade on 13 Jun.
For 2LT Brest, leadership means caring for those under your charge — a lesson modelled by his Basic Military Training (BMT) instructor, 3rd Warrant Officer Luke Cheong.
“He was firm, but genuinely cared for us and was willing to open up and show vulnerability. Because of him, I not only adapted quickly to soldiering life, but began to enjoy BMT and wanted to do my best.”
That ethos carried him through the 38-week Officer Cadet Course as a top performer, where he emerged as his cohort’s Sword of Honour recipient.
Proud of you: 2LT Brest (second from left) celebrates his commissioning with his parents and brother after receiving his officer rank epaulettes.
As he steps into his new role as a Commando Detachment Commander after commissioning as an officer on 13 Jun, he keeps his leadership philosophy grounded.
“Your men are the ones carrying the load beside you. If they know you genuinely care for them and are willing to share hardship, they’ll give you everything they have.
“I want to make my men’s NS journey as meaningful and rewarding as possible, just as my own commanders and mentors have done for me.”
As a commando detachment commander, 2LT Brest hopes to make a positive impact on the soldiers under his charge.
Charting new waters
Like his fellow cohort mate, 2LT Muhammad Izzat Hadi Bin Mohamed Imran enlisted in July 2025. The path he took, however, was one he had never anticipated.
After entering OCS in September that year, he was shortlisted for the Midshipman Wing to train as a Naval Officer.
“Even though I didn’t know what to expect, I was excited to take up a new challenge in a completely new environment,” said the 21-year-old.
“My parents have always advocated for me to be the first in the family to go to command school, with hopes to inspire my younger brothers to do the same.”
A family first: 2LT Izzat Hadi (centre, with his parents on the right) hopes to inspire his two younger brothers (left) to step up and lead.
Shared hardships build friendships
For 2LT Izzat Hadi, crossing into the naval service meant conquering a steep learning curve.
During the Naval Foundation Term, he had to learn an entirely new language of naval terms, master the “Rules of the Road” at sea and understand sea navigation theory – all while keeping up with the physical demands of training.
“(My course mates and I supported each other by) sharing notes, quizzing each other before tests, and reminding each other to rest when needed. That sense of shared hardship made the adjustment easier.”
2LT Izzat Hadi with his family at Changi Naval Base before setting sail on LST RSS Endeavour for his month-long MSTD.
The ultimate test came during the month-long Midshipmen Sea Training Deployment (MSTD) to the ports of Busan, South Korea, and Sattahip, Thailand on board a Landing Ship Tank (LST).
“Life at sea is not easy. Bridge watchkeeping at 3 am, firefighting and damage control exercises, and sudden changes in plans tested both our physical fitness and mental fortitude,” he recounted.
“I remember one night on the bridge, the ship pitching in rough waters, trying to keep the helm steady.
“My eyes were heavy, my legs were tired, but my batch mate beside me cracked a joke. We laughed, and somehow that made the tiredness easier to bear.”
All smiles! 2LT Izzat Hadi with his fellow naval officers after their commissioning.
The deployment also offered a rare window into global diplomacy, where he got to experience another country’s culture and make friends with those from other navies.
“Those interactions reminded me that the Navy isn’t just about ships and drills. It’s about representing Singapore and building friendships across oceans.”
Dream realised: 2LT Izzat Hadi (centre) with his family, who championed him to become the first in the family to attend command school.
Anchored by purpose
One of the most important lessons that 2LT Izzat Hadi learnt during his time at OCS? “Leadership is not about standing above people, but about standing with them.”
His OCS instructor, 2LT Asher Ramachandran, embodied this: “Even though he was our conducting officer, he was very hands-on. He carried the thick rope with us, spurring us on till we completed the exercise.”
Newly commissioned officers tossing their caps to mark the completion of their 38-week-long Officer Cadet Course.
But his ultimate role model remains at home – his dad.
“An act that made me look up to him was when he was sick but he still made sure we ate and even went out to buy food for us. It made me realise the value of putting others before self.”
Posted as a Platoon Commander at Tuas Defence Squadron, which safeguards Tuas Naval Base and its assets against threats, 2LT Izzat Hadi is clear on the type of leader he wants to be.
“I want to lead with empathy, being present on the ground, and ensuring my platoon feels valued and heard.”
