Why I choose to serve

This International Women’s Day, recruits from BMTC School 3 Pegasus Company tell us why they choose a career in uniform.

It’s early in the morning, and the sun rays are peeking through the clouds at Pulau Tekong Ferry Terminal.

On 17 Jan, a full platoon of servicewomen from Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) School 3 Pegasus Company stand at attention, waiting to receive their rifles.

It’s the Weapon Presentation Ceremony – an important milestone for recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who choose to serve in the SAF.

What are these young ladies’ inspirations and what do they hope to achieve? Read on to find out!

Recruit (REC) Saphire Neo: “The military is an opportunity for me to work with people from diverse backgrounds.”

Who inspired me:

“I have a very close friend whose dad is in the military. The past few years, he’s been sharing his experiences with me, which inspired me to sign on.

I also saw a lot of brochures and attended SAF-related talks hosted by my school. Through these, I felt that the SAF would be a suitable career path for me.”

Why I choose to serve:

“I was never interested in an office job since young. Joining the military is an opportunity for me to develop strong leadership skills, and I’m also motivated by the fact that I can do something meaningful (for Singapore).”

What I hope to achieve in the SAF:

“To successfully command and lead my comrades, and the people under me.”

Something that people might not know about women in the SAF:

“We’re very bonded and it feels just like family! This is because we are all aligned with similar interests and common goals.”

REC Aadhira Duraikumar: “Serving in the Army is a good opportunity for me to pay back my thanks to Singapore.”

Who inspired me:

“My parents, who moved to Singapore 15 years ago. Singapore gave them a future that made our lives better, so I really want to contribute directly to the nation.”

Why I choose to serve:

“I feel like I have to do my part to make Singapore safe. Besides developing discipline, the military also offers opportunities for leadership experiences and the chance to serve the country.

“I’m motivated by the challenges of operating under pressure, protecting others, and being part of a team that relies on mutual trust and competence.”

What I hope to achieve in the SAF:

“I hope to inspire more young ladies to follow in my footsteps.

“Our nation is a small nation, so I think (enlisting) is a good example that I want to set, especially for my younger sister.”

Something that people might not know about women in the SAF:

“It’s not always tough – we always have each other’s backs and nobody is alone in the Army!”

REC Gu Rui Shan: “Peace is a quiet privilege we enjoy, so I signed on to contribute back to the nation.”

Who inspired me:

“My seniors who signed on, and some of the military recruiters (who came to speak at my school) were very inspiring. By talking to them, I learnt about their perspective in the military and what they have gained.”

Why I choose to serve:

“What draws me to the SAF is the people they protect. I believe I grew up in a country where peace is a quiet privilege we enjoy.

“In a way, signing on is how I can contribute back to the nation.”

What I hope to achieve in the SAF:

“To be more confident and more physically fit. I also hope to face and overcome new challenges.”

Something that people might not know about women in the SAF:

“Some people think that females must be super fit to join the military! But I think doing your best matters more than just your physical fitness.”

REC Zhong Ruoxi: “I find purpose in uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds to move as one.”

Who inspired me:

“A secondary school senior, who’s in the Air Force, came back to share about her experiences in Basic Military Training (BMT).

“She really inspired a lot of young ladies – including me – to be part of something that is a lot bigger than ourselves. This especially applied to people who wanted to challenge themselves both mentally and physically.”

Why I choose to serve:

“The mission of the SAF – to protect our nation, our home, and our loved ones – greatly resonates with me, but what truly draws me to serve is the people.

“I find deep purpose in uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds to move as one, towards a shared goal, and guiding them to realise their potential with the strength of a team behind them.

“This camaraderie, forged through shared experiences of being pushed beyond one’s limits in the Army, is not something easily replicated elsewhere.”

What I hope to achieve in the SAF:

“To understand myself better and to build tight connections.”

Something that people might not know about women in the SAF:

“We don’t have to shave our hair!”

REC Elsbeth Lee: “I enjoy challenging myself outside of the norm.”

What inspired me:

“I’m studying computer science at Singapore Management University. Last year, when I was looking at my career options in the field of computer science, I discovered that DIS (Digital and Intelligence Service) was aligned with my interests.”

Why I choose to serve:

“I enjoy challenging myself outside of the norm.”

What I hope to achieve in the SAF:

“To go beyond my limits, as I think that a career in the SAF is something very unique and out of my comfort zone.”

Something that people might not know about women in the SAF:

“There is a very strong sense of community for women in the SAF! This (bond) was something that really encouraged me throughout my BMT.”