CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

The 8th Engineers Officer Cadet (OCT) batch of 1974 was among Singapore’s earliest combat engineers, tasked with roles such as laying mines, constructing bridges, and handling heavy machinery.

Together, they endured some of the most intense training conditions in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), shaping them into resilient and capable officers.

Celebrating their batch’s 50th anniversary on 8 Oct, Captain (CPT) (Ret) Tan Bong Hoon, Lieutenant (LTA) (Ret) Tham Kwok Leong, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Ret) Low Mun Kit and CPT (Ret) Chew Chan Yeow – all of whom are now in their 70s – shared their experiences with PIONEER.

A former Sword of Honor recipient, CPT (Ret) Tan led his platoon in field engineering, which included tasks such as laying mines and constructing vital bridges to support infantry units.

The skills he gained during his OCT training – particularly the importance of teamwork and perseverance – have greatly influenced his professional life.

“My biggest takeaway from NS (National Service) was the importance of teamwork. We had to rely on each other to get through the toughest times, and that’s something I’ve carried with me into my career,” said CPT Tan. The 73-year-old now runs a medical device manufacturing business.

For LTA (Ret) Tham, he was at the forefront of heavy plant operations, guiding teams in using bulldozers and cranes to build structures like a three-story-high bridge.

“The work was intense – we spent days securing each bolt and panel to make sure everything was aligned,” recalled the 73-year-old.

The experience taught him invaluable skills in discipline and problem-solving, which he applied throughout his time as a civil engineer.

“Building those massive bridges taught us perseverance and the value of working together. That mindset has helped me throughout my engineering career.”

Shaping mindsets, enduring tough times

As their instructors then, LTC (Ret) Low and CPT (Ret) Chew played critical roles in shaping the mindset and technical abilities of the 8th Engineers OCT batch.

LTC (Ret) Low focused on building his cadets’ mental resilience, often reminding them that success depended as much on their mental strength as on their physical endurance.

One of his favourite quotes that he used to encourage his cadets was from Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest: “When the body wants to give up, the mind must keep pushing.”

CPT (Ret) Chew, a specialist in timber bridge-building, was responsible for teaching the batch essential field techniques.

Training was especially tough during their time as they were using old equipment that was heavy and labour-intensive, said the 72-year-old, who is now a professor.

But he always reminded them to stay true to the engineers’ motto, “Advance and Overcome”.

“We hone our men to overcome any adversity or challenge they face in their operations.” 

Advance and Overcome

From laying mines in harsh conditions to constructing complex infrastructures, one of their most memorable projects was the Bailey bridge – a portable, prefabricated bridge originally developed by the British during World War II.

LTA (Ret) Tham and his team assembled the Bailey bridge under tight deadlines, which required great precision and teamwork. “Each panel weighed 600 pounds, and aligning them took incredible coordination,” he recalled.

For CPT (Ret) Tan, one of his most challenging tasks in leading field engineering operations was a mine-laying exercise in Mandai, where heavy rain tested the team’s endurance.

“The biggest takeaway from my time in NS is the importance of working together as a team. It’s something I’ve held onto for life,” CPT (Ret) Tan said, reflecting on how these lessons have impacted his professional life.

Building the unbreakable bridge

Fifty years on, the men continue to share a bond as strong as the bridges they have built together.

It’s the shared hardships during those two-and-a-half years of training that created an unbroken camaraderie.

“When you’ve pushed through hardships together, it’s those shared experiences that bind you,” said LTC (Ret) Low. 

LTA (Ret) Tham echoed this sentiment, highlighting how these bonds have persevered. “We still meet up regularly. Even when some of us have health issues, we’re always there for each other. We’ve become like family.”

The 8th Engineers OCT batchmates keep in touch through regular “lim kopi” (colloquial for drinking coffee) sessions and reunions, reminiscing about their shared experiences.

It’s a bond and friendship that they are proud of, as aptly summed up by CPT (Ret) Chew: “Old soldiers never die, they only fade away.”