CITIZEN, SOLDIER, ME

PIONEER speaks to individuals, families and companies about National Service (NS) and discovers deep-rooted support for this 46-year-old national institution.

Singapore is a nation which loves uniforms. From the early pre-school years to pre-tertiary education, a Singaporean will change uniforms at least twice. If you are male, you'll wear a military uniform when you serve NS at some point in your life.

In a way, these uniforms are a visual reminder of the roles all Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) have to juggle as they strive to meet the many demands of life.

It's those two years and the following NS training cycles spent in military fatigues that serve as conversation fodder for many years to come.

Stories about the nights spent out in the jungle, walking for miles and miles with a heavy field pack on your back and your platoon mates by your side all come to life whenever NS buddies meet.

"That's the thing about NS; when you go through tough times together, you remember it as a group for life," said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Ridzuan Bin Ismail. The 41-year-old serves as the Commanding Officer (CO) of an Infantry battalion. He is also part of the Committee to Strengthen NS (CSNS) chaired by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.

But it's more than a shared experience. Each year, thousands of NSmen answer the call of duty by responding to call-ups and mobilisations.

"As an NSman, I have a lot of confidence in Singapore's ability to defend itself. We are a conscript force but an effective one," said LTC (NS) Ridzuan, who is an engineer at the Public Utilities Board.

In this story, PIONEER looks at how individuals, families and companies have shown support for NS and their reasons for doing so.

Matter of perspective

Despite juggling business, community work and NS, LTC (NS) Chua Kim Peng finds a way to balance it all. His secret? Having a unique perspective which powers him through NS and life.

Sometimes it's necessary to put others and something larger than yourself first, and NS gives LTC (NS) Chua a chance to do that. "NS directly contributes to peace and security in Singapore. There's no other way to do it viably and I value that because it gives me and my family a safe environment to live in."

Looking at what's on the 37-year-old's plate is mind-boggling. At work, he runs his own wealth management business and gives free lectures to less-fortunate families to help them break out of the poverty cycle. At home, he is a husband and father, and serves as a church leader, on top of doing charity work.

In addition to all that, his NS appointment sees him commanding close to 700 men who make up the 755th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment.

In his early 20s, he had about 20 men under his charge when he was a Platoon Commander. In his late 20s, he led about 100 men as an Officer Commanding.
Now, at 37, he commands close to 700 men. "NS is where I learnt leadership, how to prioritise my time and tasks," explained LTC (NS) Chua.

When he enlisted in 1996, he was undecided if he wanted to give his all during NS. "(Nonetheless) I told myself that since I was going to be here (in the Army) for the next two-plus years, I should just try my best so that I learn something."

When his batch received their posting letters after Basic Military Training (BMT), those destined for the command schools got laughed at. "They were laughing because they knew that we had to be confined (during the initial part of command school training)!"

He recalled an incident during his active NS days which cemented his resolve. It was 1997 and LTC (NS) Chua, then a young 2nd Lieutenant, was on standby duties. While taking a break in the officers' mess, he saw on the news that SilkAir Flight 185 had crashed in Palembang, Indonesia.

Within hours, his company was ready to go, equipment drawn and prepared. "Psychologists came to our unit to give us pep talks, to prepare us mentally for rescue work," said LTC (NS) Chua.

"I remember being very impressed with all this. Someone somewhere had laid down these plans and we were clearly ready to go. That gave me tremendous faith in the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) though we were not activated eventually."

"NS is where I learnt leadership, how to prioritise my time and tasks."
- LTC (NS) Chua, on his takeaways from NS

Breaking bad experiences

A bad experience during one In-Camp Training (ICT) year convinced Major (MAJ) (NS) Frederick Liau that the key to stronger commitment to NS is to first be the change you want to see in the unit.

1997 was a year to remember for MAJ (NS) Liau, but for all the wrong reasons.

"Back then, I had just set up my business when I received a call-up letter," said the 43-year-old. Speaking to his unit CO and appealing for a more flexible training schedule did not change things. A new weapon system - the IGLA missile system - had entered into service and the SAF was working hard on training all its units to be proficient in it.

For the then-27-year-old serving in a ground-based air defence battery, that experience left a sour taste. "I suffered quite a bit of financial loss and I felt that I was victimised."

As the years went by, he began to understand that the SAF had a larger responsibility of protecting the country. "It was unfortunate that someone like me got sidetracked."

It was because of that experience that MAJ (NS) Liau decided to be the change he wanted to see in the SAF. "I told myself that when I became a Battery Commander, I would really pay attention to NSmen's concerns such as their civilian jobs and family commitments."

As a Battery Commander in 9 Divisional Air Defence Artillery Battalion, he makes it a point to speak to every new NSman who comes under his command. "The message that I tell them is simple - whatever commitments (you have) outside, let me know and we will try to balance them together, and it will be alright."

"That's important because when you set the tone wrongly, people will hate their NS training cycles," explained MAJ (NS) Liau.

For that reason, he prepares a special briefing to the more than 90 soldiers under his command before the start of each ICT period. "First, I highlight what has happened in the world, such as the Arab Spring uprising, then I talk about regional security developments.

"Soon, it's very clear to everyone that we are all here just to make sure that Singapore is safe."

So what made him turn his bad experience into something positive? He says it's the recognition that Singaporean men have a collective duty to make sure that the SAF is an effective fighting force.

"If we stop NS now, we'll never pick it up again and we'll lose 46 years of effort."

He added: "That's why I'm very happy that there are ongoing conversations on NS (referring to the CSNS effort) so that more of these issues can be brought up and looked into."

"The message that I tell them is simple - whatever commitments (you have) outside, let me know and we will try to balance them together, and it will be alright."
- MAJ (NS) Liau, on what he tells his men during ICT

All in the family

3rd Sergeant (3SG) Yeo Jin Rui is not the only one who is serving NS in the family. His twin brother, Jin Run, is currently undergoing training to become an officer.

With half the family in NS, most of the weekend conversations revolve around the 21-year-old twins' training experiences. During their BMT, the parents made the trip each weekend to Pasir Ris Bus Terminal to take them home.

Having two sons in NS at the same time in different camps means a mini-logistical war each weekend. "From booking-in and out to errands, there's a lot of juggling of schedules and priorities," laughed the head of the family, Mr Clement Yeo.

But he wouldn't have it any other way. "Be it hard times or easy ones, it is through NS that we are able to unite and protect ourselves as a people by overcoming challenges together."

The older twin - 3SG Yeo Jin Rui - recently received the Golden Bayonet award for topping his cohort of specialist cadets. This achievement mirrored that of Officer Cadet (OCT) Yeo Jin Run, also a Golden Bayonet recipient.

"My brother was the main source of inspiration for me," said 3SG Yeo. Like him, his twin had also been a trooper before being recommended for command school. His brother then crossed over to the Officer Cadet School after completing specialist training.

Said Mr Yeo of his sons' achievements: "I'm very proud of them, and glad that they are able to do their best and be recognised for their potential."

He added that he had also noticed changes in his sons as they progress through NS. "Physically, they are stronger. Mentally, they are more patient and mature."

"NS builds individual confidence. More importantly, it bonds the nation," said Mr Yeo. The 50-plus General Manager with Yokogawa Singapore holds the NS rank of Senior Lieutenant Colonel and serves as Deputy Commander, Division Support Command, in the 6th Singapore Division.

"I try to share my experiences with them (and) tell them about the importance of NS and the need to contribute to the nation."

"Be it hard times or easy ones, it is through NS that we are able to unite and protect ourselves as a people by overcoming challenges together."
- Mr Yeo, on what NS does

Gym buddies

Managing Director of Syntax Enclosures Pte Ltd, Mr Cheng Koon Hua, is so serious about getting his employees fit and ready for their NS training that he s building a gym at their new office.

"I hate for my guys to fail their IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test)," boomed Mr Cheng. As a former Regular in the Navy, he knows it all too well.

"IPPT is not impossible to pass, you just have to train for it," he noted. Which is why the 41-year-old decided to build a gym in his new office premises. "I believe that when people are fit, they are healthier and they also perform at their optimum." Mr Cheng, who left the SAF in 1997, had served as a Naval Gunner.

"Since people might be less motivated if they have to travel to exercise, I thought 'why not just build a gym here?'"

And that's just one of the many NS-friendly policies the company has. For example, each time any of his staff completes their NS training cycle, he has a $400 cash gift waiting for them. "My message is, don't defer. If you need to go, just go and complete the training," explained Mr Cheng.

To cope with manpower challenges, he has implemented an SAF-style buddy system. Salesmen are paired up; when one goes for ICT and other NS training, his "buddy" is expected to handle all his accounts. When a sale is made, all of the commission goes to the original salesperson, regardless of who closes the deal.

"Why I do this is to make sure that their income doesn't drop when they go for ICT because many of my sales guys are dependent on commission," said Mr Cheng.

It's working well. Said Mr Ang Wei Chuan: "I feel very fortunate and carefree whenever I go for ICT. For us, the message from my boss is really: focus on your training and don't worry about things at work." The 35-year-old is a Sales Manager at Syntax Enclosures and serves in the Commandos.

"My message is, don't defer. If you need to go, just go and complete the training."
- Mr Cheng, on his company s NS-friendly policies

Dollars and sense

Not everything can be counted in terms of dollars and cents - making sure that employees give their all for NS has also helped KH Security Agency to maintain high standards.

As one of the 40 NSmen working for KH Security Agency, 3SG (NS) Chan Meng Chuen feels completely at ease when he gets called-up for NS training.

Said 3SG (NS) Chan, a Senior Security Officer with the firm: "When I get called up, all I have to do is let my bosses know, and they will make arrangements to have someone cover for me during that period." The company also discourages deferments.

Each day, about 150 of KH Security Agency's security officers are deployed at client locations which range from large industrial complexes to small residential blocks. Over the years, the company has trained a reserve pool of officers who are ready to take over when full-time employees go for NS training.

"Typically, someone new who joins us goes for a week-long training course, followed by on-the-job training. Usually it takes about two months to fully train someone," said Senior Business Development Manager Gary Haris.

"(The cost of training the reserve pool) is worth paying because ultimately the company benefits."

In the short term, happy employees are less likely to leave, while in the long run, the company enjoys the stability it needs to grow, noted Mr Haris. Having a reserve pool of manpower means that employees don't have to come back to a backlog of work.

"We want our employees to focus on the training. Besides, no one likes to come back to a table piled high with work!"

And the result speaks for itself. "In our history, we've never had to compensate a client for
under-performing. Some of our staff have also stayed with us for more than 10 years," said Mr Haris.

"But I think we can never appreciate NSmen enough. It's service that cannot be calculated in dollars and cents."

"We want our employees to focus on the training. Besides, no one likes to come back to a table piled high with work!"
- Mr Haris, on easing the stress employees face during ICT

Recognising heroes

Home-grown food chain Pastamania was among the 21 companies which showed their support for NSmen with special promotions around SAF Day which falls on 1 Jul.

With a franchisee in Syria, Pastamania boss Andrew Kwan knows very well that a country's stability plays a big role in any business' potential for success. "If a country is in conflict, businesses will be in tatters."

He added: "Many paid the price to keep the country safe and continue to pay the price. In our local context, those (people) are our NSmen and the NS system - which we are all a part of." That was one reason he agreed to run promotions at Pastamania outlets dotting the island.

"I don t think any entrepreneur should take for granted the stable conditions that allow them to build a successful business."

From 1 to 5 Jul, the pizza chain gave away free pizzas for every two orders of pasta dishes and also dished out a 10 percent discount to NSmen patrons.

After his university studies in Canada, Mr Kwan came back to Singapore in 1987 to serve NS. "My parents were residing in Canada then, but I came back to serve."

As luck would have it, his convocation date fell exactly on his enlistment date. He ended up missing the former.

"But it forced me to think about why I was here. It boils down to being a Singaporean and wanting to contribute and pay my dues," said Mr Kwan.

His NS stint would see him being a sword of merit and bayonet prize winner for his outstanding performance when he was commissioned as an Infantry officer.

Having completed his NS obligations, Mr Kwan reflected: "Our contribution to the nation can continue in many forms. For instance, building thriving businesses is a form of economic defence."

Earlier this year, a chicken rice stall in Bedok made the news for giving extra food to NS boys and customers who were in uniform. The owner, Mr Tan Bee Seng, has been doing this quietly for years until one national serviceman posted a photo about the kind-hearted hawker.

Public recognition and appreciation is good but not something NSmen seek. For Master Sergeant (NS) Vijay Praveen s/o Sankaran who came back for a mobilisation exercise recently, "these (exercises) are important because they help keep the country safe" and he doesn t do it for recognition.

Mr Kwan summed it up best, saying: "At the end of the day, we are all Singaporeans and everyone knows someone who serves NS. These are your own kind, your own people. So we should do our part to take care of them."

"At the end of the day, we are all Singaporeans and everyone knows someone who serves NS. These are your own kind, your own people. So we should do our part to take care of them."
- Mr Kwan, on the importance of supporting NSmen