Carrying the Colours at NDP 2026

Heaving the 2m-tall flag smartly on command, Military Expert (ME) 4A Lam Hui Ling makes the moves look effortless.

But many weeks of tough training – and lots of arm strength! – were needed for all members of the Colours Party to perfect these drills.

“The first time I did the manoeuvre, it was very embarrassing – I couldn’t do it!” ME4A Lam said with a sheepish smile.

“It’s all in the mind – I kept telling myself I could do it. Don’t doubt yourself and just push for that moment.”

The 25-year-old is the only female Colours Ensign in this year’s National Day Parade (NDP).

Never dip out

In a tight formation, a phalanx of bright flags (also known as military Colours) marches onto the stage at the National Stadium. This is followed by six Guard of Honour contingents.

“I knew the Colours Party demanded a high level of discipline and professionalism. But what surprised me was the amount of precision, endurance, and strength required,” said ME4A Lam.

The lowering of Colours – a salute showing one of the highest forms of honour and respect in the military – is the most difficult manoeuvre for the Colours Ensigns to execute, she explained.

This is because the 4kg-heavy flag must be anchored with their arms, elbows, shoulders and back.

ME4A Lam spent three months hitting the gym to build the upper-body strength required to pull it off.

A heart for patients

ME4A Lam, 25, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) two years ago and now serves as a Special Project Officer in Headquarters (HQ) Army Medical Services.

However, her journey in the medical field began much earlier. After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2023, she began a career in nursing, caring for patients in Singapore General Hospital.

“Nursing became more than just a profession – it allowed me to build meaningful connections with my patients and be part of their recovery journey,” she said.

“Seeing them regain their health and well-being brought me a deep sense of fulfilment.”

Hungry for adventure

After a year in nursing, ME4A Lam decided to trade in her nurse’s scrubs for a different uniform.

“I love to move around and I’m very hands-on, so I wanted to try something different (and in) a different environment too,” said the adventure enthusiast, who enjoys bouldering and Hyrox in her free time.

But transitioning from a civilian to military environment was not without its challenges.

One of her most difficult moments was undergoing the Jungle Confidence Course (JCC) during Officer Cadet School (OCS), which involved a gruelling nine-day navigation and survival course through dense jungle.

While ME4A Lam enjoyed the mountain-climbing and river-crossing elements, getting through nine days of jungle training was mentally and physically draining.

“Luckily, I was doing it with my teammates – there were eight of us, so if one person felt down, we had each other to lean on,” she recalled.

Returning to her first love

It’s perhaps no surprise that ME4A Lam chose the Army’s Medical Corps after commissioning as an officer in June 2025.

“Joining the Medical Corps gave me the opportunity to continue serving the community in a military environment while applying and sharing the nursing skills and knowledge I had already gained.”

As a Special Project Officer at HQ Army Medical Services, ME4A Lam manages personnel deployment and helps to ensure medics are trained and up to date with operational protocols.

Drawing strength from one another

The road to NDP has not been easy, with long days and many weekends sacrificed, but ME4A Lam is thankful to her trainers for their support throughout all the rehearsals.

“From the start to end, my trainers always had faith in me,” she said. “They believed in me (and) kept saying, ‘You can do it, so don’t doubt yourself.’”

She can also depend on her fellow Colours Party participants to keep spirits high: “Our ensigns and escorts bring a lot of energy and positivity to every training session.

“They are always upbeat and know how to keep morale high, even during the more demanding rehearsals.”

Marching in the NDP Colours Party has been one of the highlights of her military career so far, said ME4A Lam.

She can’t wait to see spectators from all walks of life come together on 9 Aug at the National Stadium to cheer on the parade participants.

“I'm most looking forward to experiencing the energy and support of Singaporeans as we march onto the parade ground. I'm excited to give my best performance and play my part in delivering a memorable parade.”