310 CIVILIAN, DEFENCE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PROMOTED
// Report by Koh Eng Beng
// Photos by Tan Yong Quan
She started working right after completing her O-levels in 2000. Her job then was as Human Resources (HR) support staff in the Air Force.
But Ms S. Logamathi worked hard and rose through the ranks steadily to become a manager.
"All my bosses trusted me and supported my academic pursuits," said the 37-year-old Defence Executive Officer (DXO).
Ms Logamathi juggled work with studies for almost a decade. Through part-time studies, she obtained her National University of Singapore degree in 2009, and before that, a diploma from Temasek Polytechnic in 2004.
She remembers having to endure long journeys from her workplace in Gombak to Tampines for her thrice-weekly evening classes. Thankfully, her superiors allowed her flexible working hours.
"The bosses here care for their staff. They have been very supportive, be it about my work or personal pursuits," she said.
“I always meet good bosses in my various postings. It seems like a norm in this organisation to have good leaders."
Ms Logamathi was one of 310 DXOs and civilian officers who received their certificates of promotion at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 21 Jun.
Previously an assistant manager in the manpower branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Computers) Command who provides corporate services for servicemen, she assumed the role of a manager after her promotion.
Meaningful job
Also among the promotees was 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Muhammad Syafiq. He joined the Singapore Army as a DXO, just two months after he completed his Full-time National Service (NS) as an operations specialist in Specialist Cadet School.
"I enjoyed what I was doing in NS, so when my officer commanding told me about the DXO scheme, I thought why not? It may sound cliched, but I really want to contribute to my country," said the 26-year-old.
The administrative work he does in NS is somewhat similar to his work as a performance management executive in Headquarters 9th Singapore Division/Infantry, where he prepares data for the annual performance ranking of warrant officers, specialists and junior military experts in the division.
"You need to be meticulous and accurate. Otherwise, a mistake may affect the person's career," he added.
3SG (NS) Syafiq has just been awarded a sponsorship for a part-time degree course at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. He will begin his studies next month.
"I initially said no when my boss asked me to sign up for it. But he persuaded me, telling me how further studies will help in my work and growth," he said.
Opportunities abound
Fellow promotee Stephanie Phang, who has worked as a DXO for 15 years, can attest to the opportunities available for career growth.
In 2002, she joined the Defence Psychology Department, and spent the next 10 years working as a psychologist. She later moved into research and policy work in the area of HR.
Now Deputy Director of the Research and Planning Office, she leads a team of 15 DXOs. Her office identifies and studies trends and emerging issues in HR.
"Every day is a different experience for me," said the 39-year-old.
Her recent big project was helping to set up a new data science department for MINDEF. This was a new area for her, but her previous experience in psychometrics and statistics helped, said Ms Phang.
She feels that there is still plenty of room for professional growth in the organisation, and looks forward to more challenging projects. "I hope to continue doing meaningful work that has an impact on the public."
