527 CADETS START THEIR JOURNEY AS SAF COMMANDERS

Having represented Singapore in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games as a triathlete, many people would think that Officer Cadet (OCT) Scott Ang would breeze through Officer Cadet School (OCS) training. But the 21-year-old was quick to point out that it s a different ball game in the Army.

"In a triathlon, I don t have to carry anything. I sleep and eat well, and when the day comes, I am prepared for the race. The Army is different because (during exercises), I have to carry loads, and might not have much sleep or food.

"(During a triathlon), I prepped my body like I was an F1 car. In the Army, I (have to be) a bit more like a monster truck," the 20-year-old said with a laugh.

OCT Ang went on to receive the Sword-of-Honour accolade and topped the Physical Training category in his cohort for best scores in the Individual Physical Proficiency Test and Standard Obstacle Course test.

He was one of the 527 OCTs - comprising 435 from the Army, 37 from the Air Force and 55 from the Navy - who were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at the 87/12 Officer Cadet Commissioning (OCC) Parade held at SAFTI Military Institute on 12 Jan.

In his speech to the graduands, Reviewing Officer President Tony Tan Keng Yam spoke about the important roles that they would play in Singapore's defence. He said: "Even as the SAF sharpens its fighting capabilities steadily with new equipment, superior fighting concepts and networked systems, it is the leadership of the men and women of the SAF that will ultimately determine how effectively Singapore is defended."

Pointing out that many in this generation were better educated and more vocal, the President said that commanders should imbue in their men a sense of purpose and mould them into a cohesive fighting unit. "They must feel that they have something precious worth defending and be united by the common goal of defending our home and our way of life."

The newly commissioned officers will take on command, instructional or staff appointments in the SAF. OCT Audrey Marie Joseph, for example, has been posted as a Platoon Commander in the 35th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers.

The 26-year-old had been an early childhood educator for two years, but the thought of joining the SAF was always at the back of her mind, having been enthused after hearing stories about National Service (NS) from friends in her alma mater, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Though early childhood education and the military could not be further apart in terms of subject matter, OCT Joseph said the same principles applied. "In both roles (as a teacher and a commander), it's your duty to nurture, educate and inspire."

For Midshipman (MID) Toh Jing Yong, the journey to becoming a Naval Combat Officer nearly did not happen. Before his Basic Military Training (BMT), he was suspected to have anaemia. But the former Anglo-Chinese Junior College track-and-field athlete and basketball captain asked for a review on his condition and was eventually declared medically fit. He went on to receive the Best in Physical Training award at BMT.

A Sword-of-Honour recipient, MID Toh has much to cheer about. But the 21-year-old told cyberpioneer that the happiest people were his parents. "My family was the source of my motivation and I couldn t have gotten this award without their support and encouragement," said MID Toh.

This sentiment was shared by Ground-Based Air Defence Sword-of-Honour recipient OCT Gabriel Lim, who said he felt more pampered by his family after enlisting for NS. Recounting a particularly tough experience during his summary exercise, where he had to carry a 180kg aircraft missile system with two other teammates for more than 2km after five days of outfield training, OCT Lim said it was the support of his parents that helped him through the 38 weeks of tough training.

"When I go home with my bag of muddy and soiled clothes that have been unwashed for a week, they would clean my clothes without complaining and always with that sense of loving care."

The 20-year-old continued: "It's the little things that they do that amount to a lot. Every time I book out, I see my parents. And when I book in, I feel a lot stronger."