A SPECIALISED CAREER AT SEA WITH THE PERKS OF HOME

In 1996, Leonard Tan found himself at the crossroads of his life as a final-year Electronics Communication and Computerisation student in Singapore Polytechnic. He was due to be called up for National Service (NS), but he also wanted to start making career plans.

Encouraged by stories from friends working in the Republic of Singapore Navy, who often shared with him about how they got to apply what they learnt in school in their jobs, he decided to sign on with the Navy.

"I wanted a career that's relevant to my field of studies, and since I enjoyed being part of the National Cadet Corps in my secondary school days, I was quite open to leading a life in the military," he told cyberpioneer.

Now a 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO), he serves as the Chief Communication Specialist on board the Formidable-class stealth frigate, RSS Formidable.

"My team is responsible for communications with other ships and units at shore. We ensure that command instructions and operational information can be made available," 2WO Tan explained.

Come April, 2WO Tan will convert to the Military Domain Experts Scheme (MDES), and will hold the rank of Military Expert (ME) 3. He believes that this new scheme will help him develop greater expertise in his area of specialisation in Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) systems.

"I hope that by becoming a C4 domain expert, I can introduce new work processes to reduce man hours. I also hope that in the near future, I can become involved in the planning and developing of C4 in the Navy," he said.

In his career with the Navy thus far, his most memorable experience was being involved in the Frigate Programme in 2004, where he was trained by ST Electronics, the original equipment manufacturer, on the communications systems before the frigates became operational.

"I participated in many of the factory acceptances and integration of the communications systems before they were finally installed on board the frigates," he said.

"Being able to see the system through from its manufacturing stage in the factory to its operational stage on board the ship, and being the pioneer batch to operate the systems made me feel very honoured."

The good working environment in the Navy is also another plus point for 2WO Tan.

"My hard work and contributions are always recognised by my superiors, and they often send me for courses like the Joint Warrant Officers Course, to develop myself and upgrade my knowledge. I also enjoy the many opportunities to exercise and interact with foreign navies to share experiences and learn from them."

He added: "Besides having supportive superiors, I lead a team of seven communications specialists who work very hard. Whenever I see them giving their all, I feel inspired to do more to develop them further as communications experts."

What he loves best about his job, however, is the feeling of a home away from home.

"On board the ship, we only have one another. I love those moments I have with my ship crew when we're working together, preparing for a mission. Whenever the mission is successful, we get a huge sense of satisfaction knowing we did it as a team."

Summing up his experience in the Navy to date, 2WO Tan said: "After we're done with our duties on the ship, being able to get together to dine and chat, play games and watch movies, makes me feel like I'm among family."

To know more about careers in the SAF and the Ministry of Defence, visit the Armed Forces Career Experience at Marina Square Central Atrium (level 2) from 25 to 28 Feb, 1030am to 830pm.

Talk to military professionals who will share their career experiences, and catch performances by the SAF Music and Drama Company, the Military Police Command and personnel from the Army Fitness Centre.

24 Feb 10 - Piloting with heart and drive

26 Feb 10 - Adventures in the Army

01 Mar 10 - A glimpse of the SAF at ACE 2010