Finding their bearings amid choppy seas

https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/23sep19_covera82d3e04-4b7e-4f99-96a0-f64d23f0088d.jpg?sfvrsn=d89c2584_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/BEHIND-THE-LEGEND-OF-IMRAN
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/BEHIND-THE-LEGEND-OF-IMRAN
BEHIND THE LEGEND OF IMRAN
23 Sep 2019 | PEOPLE

BEHIND THE LEGEND OF IMRAN


Since his Basic Military Training (BMT) photo went viral, the swole (very muscular) full-time national serviceman Specialist Cadet (SCT) Muhammad Imran Bin Azeman has started his training at Specialist Cadet School. PIONEER caught up with him at Pasir Laba Camp to find out three things you didn’t know about the "man of legend".

SCT Imran is currently training at Specialist Cadet School.

1. He is a former national youth rugby player

SCT Imran (second row, fourth from left) with the Singapore Under 20 Men’s team. (Photo courtesy of SCT Imran)

SCT Imran was a national youth rugby player. He started playing rugby in secondary school and made it into Singapore's National Under 20 Men's team as well as the Southeast Asian Games training squad.

The 23-year-old was not born swole. He used to be so skinny that his friends would call him galah or "pole" in Malay. He started bulking up when he began his Higher Nitec course in Sport Management, hitting the gym about four to five times a week.

 

2. He had his fair share of struggles in BMT

SCT Imran (front and centre) among his BMT batch at Our Tampines Hub on 7 Sep.

Despite looking like he can whizz through BMT, SCT Imran had a difficult start at Pulau Tekong. His fitness was not up to standard and he even had a fever in his first week.

He credits his family for supporting him and checking in on him while he was sick. He eventually lost 10kg in BMT and improved his fitness levels.

 

3. He credits his family & friends for their support

SCT Imran (centre) with his parents during a family engagement day at Pasir Laba Camp on 20 Sep.

In spite of the various "legends" of Imran, no man is an island. SCT Imran said he could not have made it through BMT without the brotherhood of his platoon and section mates.

He also thanked his elder brother, 3rd Sergeant (NS) Muhammad Nurjali who served as a military police, for sharing tips on ways to survive field camp and dig a shellscrape.


 

Want to know more about how SCT Imran "got swole" and what his diet and fitness regime is? Check out our video where he answers 17 quick-fire questions from PIONEER:

Suggested Reading
Cover story
SISTERS IN ARMS
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

One's got her feet firmly on the ground, the other's hungry for adventure – CPT Rebekah Abbott and CPT (Dr) Hannah Abbott share the joys of growing up and signing on with the military.

Cover story
FOUR WOMEN, 4 SERVICES, 19 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

Meet ME6 Toh Bao-En, LTC Nah Jinping, LTC Tong Wei Lynn and SLTC Tung Wanling.

Feature
NS ALLOWANCE TO INCREASE FROM 1 JULY 2025
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

She used to serve on the The increase is among a series of various measures to enhance the National Service (NS) experience and recognise servicemen’s contributions. 

Cover story
SAF TO GET NEW INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE, 2 MORE SUBMARINES; BUILD UP UNMANNED CAPABILITIES
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen highlighted the SAF’s long-term approach to building a next-generation fighting force, during the Committee of Supply debates on the defence budget. 

Feature
SAF SET TO EXPAND PULAU TEKONG TRAINING AREAS; SAFTI CITY OPEN FOR TRAINING
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

She used to serve on the

Pulau Tekong will be expanded to stretch 10km, and is part of the SAF’s investments in training infrastructure for more effective and realistic training.

Combat medic learns to save lives in SAF-SCDF attachment
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

LCP Chen Anhong stepped up to treat patients and provide emergency medical services during his six months with the SCDF.

Feature
MATCH MADE IN THE SAF
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

She used to serve on the MAJ Jayaram Venugobalan Naidu and Kasturibai Athmaram went from schoolmates to soulmates after a chance posting to the same unit reconnected the two.

HE STRUCK (DIVERS’) GOLD
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

Inspired by his father who was a Commando NSman, 3SG Fong Zheng Wei went from failing IPPT to achieving Divers’ Gold.

TWICE THE STRENGTH, DOUBLE THE PRIDE
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

3SG Irfan and 3SG Iryan Hidayat have walked almost identical paths all their lives —from attending the same schools to enlisting for NS and, now, graduating as newly minted sergeants together.  

Feature
AFTER “EVER AFTER”
PEOPLE
23 Sep 2019

She used to serve on the From best friends to lovers, and now parents of two (with a third on the way!): Army couple CPT Nuraishah and 3WO Shahibul share how their love is still going strong.