Every Singaporean Son IV: Meet our Specialist Cadets

Every Singaporean Son returns for a fourth season (ESS4)! But this time, the popular documentary series isn’t about recruits.

This latest eight-episode season focuses on specialist cadets as they embark on a 22-week course to become leaders in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

In Specialist Cadet School (SCS), cadets go through a common Foundation Term for two months, before breaking off into specialised training within their vocations during their Professional Term for another three months, and then undergoing a 1.5-week Combined Arms Term.

The first episode of the series – produced by So Drama! Entertainment and filmed from December 2024 to May 2025 – will debut on PIONEER’s Facebook and Instagram pages on 16 Feb. New episodes will air every Monday.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the faces you’ll meet in ESS4!

SCT Ali Redza bin Rohaimi

Playful and always up for a laugh, SCT Ali is often the life of the group. The 20-year-old admits he’s not the most disciplined person… but that’s all about to change in SCS. With greater challenges and responsibilities ahead, he’s ready to step up and hold himself to higher standards.

The second-youngest of five siblings hopes to get into the Military Police vocation like his elder brother before him. Will SCT Ali get his wish?

Fun fact: Before enlisting, he operated a home-based ramen stall after being inspired by one of his elder brothers and their family helper.

SCT Jackson Tan Han Wen

Before enlisting, SCT Tan was worried about finding himself in a toxic environment during National Service (NS). Instead, he discovered camaraderie and purpose during Basic Military Training (BMT).

An only son, he shares a close bond with his family, whose support fuels his drive to perform well. Although he was initially gunning for Officer Cadet School, the 21-year-old now aims to do his best in SCS and achieve the Golden Bayonet. Will he reach his goal?

Quick quote: “No last words. I don’t want to jinx anything, man!”

SCT Ira Zachary Rico Ramos

“Bright and chirpy” is how SCT Ramos’ friends would describe him – he’s always ready to lighten the mood with a joke. His biggest challenge? Procrastinating, and being likely to give up before giving his best effort.

Can this 21-year-old build the physical and mental resilience needed to grow into a leader of men?

Quick quote: “Noooo!” (Guess when he says this.)

SCT Alfie James Sanosi

Raised in the United Kingdom, SCT Sanosi has a distinct British accent that makes him stand out from among his peers. Committed to giving his best effort in SCS, the 18-year-old plans to achieve 100 points in his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) – he scored 95 points during BMT!

Fun fact: SCT Sanosi is mixed British and Boyanese (a minority group of people from Bawean Island, East Java, Indonesia, who migrated to Singapore from the early 19th century).

SCT Lee Qianhui

From agriculture to combat engineer: SCT Lee made an unexpected mid-career switch in 2024, pursuing a career experience that’s #AnythingButRegular.

The 30-year-old, who was a farm supervisor, challenges herself to keep up with male peers a decade younger than her – something that will test her physical and mental limits.

Quick quote: “At the end of the day, the sun will set. So just carry on and push through.”

SCT “Dimitri” Lim Xuan Jie

SCT Lim’s quick wit and dry humour serve as both a morale booster to others and coping mechanism for himself through the challenges of Army life.

He’s a certified “Unc” among cadets five years his junior but, despite his age and smaller stature, this 24-year-old is always ready to push onwards with his guys.

Quick quote: “I go by ‘Dimitri’ as the guys in my family have Christian names starting with ‘D’, and ‘Tri’ is because I’m the third child. I’ve yet to find an excuse for the ‘imi’ in Dimitri.”

SCT Zenden Yew Hong Rui

Talk about a 180: SCT Yew went from aiming to “geng”* and “down-PES”** to considering signing on with the SAF! It may have been his commanders – who saw leadership potential in him – who changed his course, but now it’s up to the 22-year-old to see how far he can go in SCS.

Quick quote: “This has never happened to me before.”.

*slang for avoiding responsibility, usually by feigning sickness

**downgrade your Physical Employment Standard

SCT Maximus

He’s gotten by as the calm and cool buddy you can rely on, but to become a leader, SCT Maximus must also learn to assert himself and take charge. Can this 22-year-old combat engineer navigate the rocky waters ahead?

Fun fact: Nope, it’s not a stage name. His full legal name is just “Maximus”! Say it once, write it twice – this guy has to fill in his name twice for application forms and plane tickets.

SCT Kishore Selvam

He might be goofy at times, but this guy knows how to hustle. Before NS, this 22-year-old was a busy entrepreneur running a café, and was also the captain of a football team!

Fun fact: He owns a KTM RC200 motorbike, and is proud of riding something unique and not commonly found in Singapore.

Catch the series trailer below, and look out for the first episode on 16 Feb!