352 CIVILIAN, DEFENCE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS RECOGNISED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MINDEF, SAF

The sense of satisfaction that you get from making a difference in a person's life is what motivated Defence Executive Officer (DXO) Kevin Ow to work as a counsellor in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for over a decade, and counting.

In the late 2000s, Mr Ow provided counselling for a Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) whose parents died from a car accident when he was only six years old.

Even after more than 10 years, the NSF never got over the loss. And because he did not have a father or mother figure for much of his life, the NSF found it difficult to accept the authority of his commanders.

The regimental nature of NS was tough for him. But with the help of Mr Ow - who counselled him for the entire two years of his NS - the NSF turned his life around.

"He became more positive by the time he finished his NS," recalled Mr Ow. "From time to time, he came back to the counselling centre to visit and thank me, and even gave me Chinese New Year cookies and tarts."

Such moments are what kept Mr Ow going as an SAF counsellor.

"When the going gets tough, and the soldiers come back (to thank us), you feel as if your body is recharged. You really get back to the roots of why you are in counselling," said Mr Ow, who joined the SAF Counselling Centre (SCC) as a fresh graduate 11 years ago.

"NS is a gateway which every Singaporean son has to go through, so working in the SAF is a great opportunity for me to make a difference," he added.

Mr Ow, the current Head of Family Support Services in SCC, was one of 352 DXOs and civilian officers who received their certificates of promotion at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 24 Jun.

Personal growth
Among those promoted was Ms Gayathri D/O Singaram, an Admin Supervisor in the Human Resource Centre of Headquarters Armour.

She is responsible for the manpower deployment and planning for NS armoured units. With about 3,000 NSmen under her care, her role is challenging. But working with her supportive colleagues and commanders makes her work enjoyable and fruitful.

What she likes most about working as a DXO is that the organisation gives her ample and varied opportunities for both professional and personal growth.

"I get to attend more meetings, and do presentations to management. I was even tasked to be the emcee for a change-of-command parade!" said the 38-year-old, who has worked as a DXO for 15 years. She was formerly an HR administrator in the Air Force, before moving to her current role in the Army.

More than a job
Fellow promotee and DXO Winson Lim sees his role as more than just a job.

A staff officer in the Air Engineering and Logistics Branch, he procures spare parts essential for the repair or maintenance of fighter aircraft and weapon systems.

"I see real meaning in my work," he said. "By ensuring that our aircraft and weapon systems are serviceable, our Air Force can protect our country effectively."

The 34-year-old's childhood dream was to be a policeman. But a career as a DXO, he said, enabled him to fulfil his wish to work in the public service, and at the same time, make use of his engineering degree.

In his nine years with the Air Force, he has worked in a supply depot, as well as crafted polices to improve the supply chain management for the department.

He now wants to pay it forward by grooming the younger staff under his charge.

"Now that I have taken on a management role, I hope to share my experience and impart my knowledge to the younger officers. Doing so will help to build on the successes that the Air Force has achieved," he said.