AN UNYIELDING COMMITMENT TO THE MEN AND THE NATION

To Major (NS) Ridzuan Bin Ismail, Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) are a special bunch.

They may not be as young or physically fit as Full Time National Servicemen or the active personnel in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), but they certainly have the "maturity and will to perform".

The newly-appointed commanding officer of 696 Singapore Infantry Regiment recalled an overseas exercise years ago where his unit was deployed right on the front line during a brigade level exercise - contrary to the oft-held belief that only active battalions would be seeing most of the action.

"What was memorable was the way the men actually stepped up to the mission and delivered more than what was actually expected, and in my own eyes, even better than what the younger and fitter guys could offer," said MAJ (NS) Ridzuan.

MAJ (NS) Ridzuan has since completed his 10-year cycle for reservist and agreed to extend his service to the nation. As commanding officer, he is now charge of the operations aspects of the unit, to oversee the planning of the training programme.

"After coming to know the men, you do feel a certain kind of commitment to them that you want to deliver," he told cyberpioneer.

"So as long as I am able to contribute positively to the Army, and the men especially, and as long as I am in good health, I see no reason not to continue."

Together with fellow Key Appointment Holders (KAHs), Reservist on Voluntary Extended Reserve Scheme (ROVERS) and Volunteers, MAJ (NS) Ridzuan (right) was recognised for his dedication to National Service (NS) at the annual Appreciation Dinner on 30 Sep.

As Co-Chairman of the NS Affairs Steering Committee, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong hosted the event.

Mementos and certificates were presented to the NSmen who were stepping down from their appointments, as well as their spouses, to thank them for their support and contributions to the SAF.

For Second Warrant Officer Chan Siang Buck, who was relinquishing his post as Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) of 3rd General Supply and Transport Base (3 GSTB), responding to the nation's call as an NSman was his way of thanking the SAF.

He was a regular with a transport battalion for close to eight years since 1987, and gained valuable skills that put him in good stead for his current job in a logistics company."What I am today has very much to do with what I have learnt in the Army," he explained."I do not have much of an academic background, as I only studied till Secondary 4, but I am now a head of department of the warehouse. Basically, I picked up management skills, planning skills and public relations skills from the Army."Another reason why he was willing to extend his services as an NSmen is because he firmly believes that Nation Service is an important institution."The nation very much relies on us as the backbone, to ensure that Singapore continually has good security, to raise children and have a career in peace," he said.