99 NEW SENIOR MILITARY EXPERTS FOR THE SAF

After eight years as a nurse in the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, she wanted a change of environment.

And what a change it has been: she decided to join the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 2016 as a medical trainer under the Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES).

"Life in the SAF has been a totally different environment. It's tough but the experience has broadened my perspective," said Military Expert (ME) 4 Melissa Lim, 29.

She described an 8km march, while carrying a fully loaded stretcher, as one of her most trying experiences. "Every few steps we took, we had to change our positions because the stretcher was so heavy," said the mother of two.

"But it also taught me about team work; we had to bring our (simulated) casualty to safety though it was tough and the only way to do it was to work together."

Now that she has completed the Military Domain Experts Course (MDEC), she will train Operationally Ready National Servicemen when they report to the Army Medical Training Centre during their In-Camp Training stints.

When asked why she made the switch, ME4 Lim said: "I believe that my skills from working in the A&E department enable me to do well in military medicine."

She was appointed as a Senior ME at a ceremony held on 13 Dec at Temasek Club, along with 98 others.

At the ceremony, Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman said to the graduands: "The SAF looks to you for leadership in critical domains such as engineering and intelligence As a Senior ME, you must leverage your deep domain expertise to stretch the operational and technological boundaries of the SAF."

While there are those who bring civilian experience and expertise into the SAF, the MDES also provides opportunities to those who have a wealth of experience in the SAF.

For ME4 Lim Tong Heong, who has served in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) for 22 years, being in the MDES has opened up many learning opportunities for him.

"I took my diploma in 2009, followed by degree studies in 2014. The MDES invests in people, and I think it's a good investment!"

In his studies for a Marine Engineering diploma at Singapore Polytechnic, he emerged as the top graduand. Encouraged to pursue a degree, he eventually took up part-time studies at Kaplan Singapore and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree this year.

"Along the way, I've had good colleagues and bosses who encouraged me to upgrade myself and supported me when I did my studies."

The 40-year-old has served on the RSN's missile corvettes since he joined with 'O' Levels in 1995, and he will be serving as a Marine Engineer on new Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Indomitable.

"I'm excited to take up a new appointment on a new ship. It's yet another opportunity to learn."