She’s one of RSN’s first female submariners

With the commissioning of the Invincible-class submarine, CPT Loh Jia Yi joins the ranks of “dolphins” as one of four qualified female submariners.

The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN’s) new Invincible-class submarine has 50 percent more endurance and advanced automation compared to its predecessor, the Archer-class.

It is also the first submarine custom-built for Singapore’s needs and was designed to accommodate female crew for the first time – allowing submariners like Captain (CPT) Loh Jia Yi to join the fold.

She is now one of the first four qualified female submariners in the RSN, 25 years since the submarine capability was introduced.

The Assistant Operations Officer is also the only female on board RSS Invincible.

The first two of four submarines, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable are now fully operational after their commissioning on 24 Sep.

“The new submarines are designed with dedicated female bunking and toilets for us. This enables us to maintain a degree of privacy while serving with our crew members on board,” said CPT Loh.

The 26-year-old added that the pioneer crew of females have a “sense of responsibility to lay the groundwork for the females who come after”.

“We have to take an active role in participating in this transition (to include female crew in the submarine),” she said.

Earning her “dolphins”

When CPT Loh first enlisted and was commissioned in 2017, the RSN had not yet opened its doors to female submariners.

She then studied English Literature at Bryn Mawr College in the United States, before returning in 2021 to serve on board landing ships tank RSS Endeavour and RSS Endurance.

When the RSN’s 7th Flotilla opened its recruitment for females, CPT Loh “jumped at the chance”.

“I was very excited, and I think it’s an exciting time for us to be part of this flotilla as we operationalise this new capability,” she said.

In May 2023, she earned her stripes as a submariner after graduating from the nine-month long Submarine Qualification Course (SMQC).

Having to grasp engineering knowledge of operating the submarine was the most daunting part of the course for CPT Loh, who had no technical background.

She credited the engineers in her course for helping her build good fundamentals of the systems.

She also recalled the summative exercise of the course, in what submariners call the Deep Dive Test.

“Not only are you being tested in quick succession on everything you’ve learnt, but you’re also put in high-pressure scenarios and (stretched to the limit),” she said.

The week-long assessment had trainees go on a morning run before entering training simulators for back-to-back tests; and rinsing and repeating the next day.

“When we succeeded and passed out as a team, we really knew, ‘okay, I am ready to assume my first appointment on board’.”

Invincible family spirit

Now in her role as Assistant Operations Officer, CPT Loh works with her team – consisting of the helmsman, engineers, sonar team and navigator – to make sense of their surroundings and navigate the submarine out at sea.

She is unfazed about being the only female on board RSS Invincible.

“Personally, I don’t feel like there’s any difficulty in that; the crew doesn’t treat me any differently.”

In fact, she feels well-supported by her crew; especially by the engineering team, who tirelessly answers all her questions on the boat’s inner workings.

“I think I’m getting a reputation for being one of the young officers with way too many questions,” she said with a laugh.

“But even up to our most senior engineers, everyone will (help me)…so that I can better understand what they do and how it impacts what I need to do.”

Outside of work, the boat crew have formed an “Invincible Run Club” that runs together daily.

It’s interactions like these that make the crew feel like a band of brothers and sisters, said CPT Loh.

“(That is important because) when we’re out at sea, we’re out on our own so team spirit is important. It’s really the family spirit that keeps us going.”