IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

The fourth child in Singapore’s first set of quintuplets, LTA Annabelle Chin Li En made a mid-career switch to follow in her parents’ footsteps and serve the country.

At first glance, Lieutenant (LTA) Annabelle Chin Li En and her siblings may not look that alike – but they were born minutes apart from one another. In fact, these uniquely close-knit siblings are Singapore’s first quintuplets!

As the fourth child (she has one older brother, two older sisters and one younger brother), she grew up surrounded by support and camaraderie. These familial bonds are also what led her to decide to embark on a military career.

“I feel I have been very fortunate to grow up as part of quintuplets. My siblings and I are incredibly close, and they have always supported me,” said the 27-year-old.

“Compared to my siblings, I tend to be a bit more introverted by nature. But seeing how my brothers lead in their respective roles in the Army, their journey of growth and confidence gave me the confidence to join the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces).”

Her parents are both former SAF Regulars — her father, LTC Humphrey Chin Hong Fai,  served in the Air Force and her mother, MAJ Dorothy Tan Hui Sim, in the Navy. Her brothers later followed suit. 

Elder brother ME4 Adriel Chin Soon Kit is an army engineer Regular, while youngest sibling 1st Sergeant (1SG) (NS) Andre Chin Soon An is an infantry specialist.

Their collective dedication in defending Singapore inspired LTA Chin to channel her passion for helping others into training and guiding people in the SAF.

A path of service

Before joining the SAF, LTA Chin pursued a degree in International Relations at the Singapore Institute of Management - University of London. She then spent three years working for a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) which develops and engages youths through community service.

Her humanitarian aspirations took her to the forefront of many youth volunteer initiatives, where she helped train others in leadership and hospitality roles for events like National Day Parade 2022 and 2023.

However, the thought of joining the SAF remained at the back of her mind and in January this year, LTA Chin took the plunge and enlisted as an Army Intelligence officer.

“(This vocation) is unique in the sense that there are different specialisations and roles to explore, and the skills are transferable. It is a very young and growing formation which I hoped to be a part of.”

Challenges and triumphs

Joining the SAF as a mid-careerist presented unique challenges for LTA Chin. From adapting to the Army's rigorous physical standards to mastering its jargon, LTA Chin had to work hard to find her footing.

“Officer Cadet School is no walk in the park,” she said, admitting that she faced moments of self-doubt. “There were times when I questioned if I belonged. There’s a voice in my head that asks, ‘Am I really qualified for this?’”

However, she did not allow negative thoughts to get the better of her. Taking in the advice of her instructors and peers on areas she could improve, LTA Chin maintained an optimistic and positive mindset by seeing each challenge as an opportunity to grow stronger.

“I began to shift my focus from what I lacked to what I brought to the table. My experiences, my perspective, and my skills were valuable, and they were making a difference.

“I also learned to acknowledge my achievements, even the small ones, and to celebrate progress rather than perfection.”

She also credited her family for their encouragement, noting how they went out of their way to help her with both the mental and physical demands of the Officer Cadet Course.

“Physically, I had to train on my own outside of OCS, such as going for runs during the weekends. My brothers would go on a run with me, matching my pace and helping me go a bit faster.”

She added: “On book-in day, my father always makes it a point to drive me back to camp and have a little talk session to reframe the mind for the upcoming week of training.”

Her hard work paid off: On 30 Nov, LTA Chin was among 441 cadets commissioned as officers in a parade held at SAFTI Military Institute. 

A vision for aspiring leaders

When asked what advice she would give to other young women who are considering a career with the SAF, LTA Chin said: “Making the leap into the military can be a fulfilling way to serve, grow, and challenge yourself.

“The SAF is a nurturing organisation that takes in young men and women and trains them well in terms of resilience and ethos.”  

As she looks forward to her first posting, LTA Chin reflects on her journey so far with gratitude, especially towards her family.

“My family has been a tremendous support throughout my journey as an officer cadet and my decision to join the SAF. Their unwavering belief in my abilities has made a huge difference, and I’m grateful for their constant support.”