He’s an NSF Commando & medal-winning fencer

When Corporal (CPL) Samuel Elijah Robson was just six years old, he was captivated by sword-fighting scenes on screens.

The main movie that stole his attention? Pirates of the Caribbean.

En garde (on guard)! Turns out the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow served as a little boy’s inspiration to start picking up fencing one day.

The thrill of competition

What drives the 20-year-old to keep fencing? Besides the love of the sport itself, CPL Robson also enjoys the thrill of competing at both the local and international level.

He hopes to represent Singapore in more international fencing competitions, which hasn’t seen much representation in the men’s foil category so far.

At last year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand, CPL Robson was part of the men’s foil team that scored gold. The Singapore fencing team achieved a record-breaking performance that year, with a historic eight gold medals in total.

CPL Robson’s proudest achievements also include the SEA Games 2023 in Cambodia, where he clinched gold in the men’s individual foil event.

Following this success, he went on to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.

Earning his red beret

On 6 Jan 2025, CPL Robson enlisted into Basic Military Training and was deployed to 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn).

“When I found out I was posted to the Commandos, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I asked around for advice, and a couple of my friends told me that training was going to be difficult, but also very rewarding at the end.”

One year into NS (National Service), CPL Robson – who is serving as a Commando Fighter – has found this saying to be true.

“The satisfaction that we get from being good at what we do is worth it (all the tough training we’ve gone through). Till now, I still carry that same kind of excitement in being a Commando.”

Balancing military & sports training

Being both a Commando NSF and a national athlete isn’t easy – both roles require high levels of commitment.

To manage his time, CPL Robson doesn’t limit himself to a strict schedule. Whenever he has personal time after completing his duties, he makes sure to maximise it to the fullest – such as shadow fencing (visualising and practising against an imaginary opponent) in camp.

“National athletes like me are also able to apply for leave to compete in major competitions, subject to meeting the unit's training tempo and other requirements,” explained CPL Robson.

“Last year, after I completed (one of) my (Commando) training phase, my OC (Officer Commanding) and CO (Commanding Officer) granted permission for me to go for my fencing competitions leading up to the SEA Games.”

He added: “My superiors make it clear that when we’re in training, I have to prioritise that, and afterwards, they will see what they can do to support me (in my sports commitments).

“Military duties always come first, and I have to meet all the same standards as my fellow Commandos.”

Looking forward to the future

What’s next for CPL Robson?

With the Commandos, he’s looking forward to the battalion achieving good results in their Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) evaluation.

And for fencing, he’s training hard with his team for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Nagoya, Japan in September.

To other NSF (Full-Time National Serviceman) national athletes who will be going through similar experiences as CPL Robson, here’s his advice: “Give your 100 percent in everything.

“Whatever it is, for both NS and your sport, dedicate yourself to it and make it your number one priority.”

“While you may not have as much time as (you had) before (enlisting), don’t look at it in a negative way,” CPL Robson reflected.

“Going into NS has improved certain aspects of my physical fitness, and it has definitely made me a lot more resilient than I was before!”