EARNING THEIR CHEVRONS AS SAF SPECIALISTS

He never forgot the bonds and camaraderie forged during his National Service (NS) days. So he re-joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as a Regular, two years after completing NS in late 2009.

"Being a soldier is something I enjoy and it's also my passion. I decided to join the SAF for a meaningful career," said Specialist Cadet (SCT) Nigel Jerad, who worked in sales and marketing for two years after completing his NS.

"While I enjoyed what I did in those two years, I always thought of the friendships and feeling of brotherhood in the Commando Formation," explained SCT Jerad who hails from a family of Regulars, including his father and his brother.

When asked what he remembered most about the gruelling 22-week Specialist Cadet Course he had just completed, he said: "Definitely all the tough times we went through together, and the feeling of success which only comes from working as a team."

"We were trained, both physically and mentally, so that we can lead our men effectively, and function as the link between the soldiers and higher leadership," said SCT Jerad.

The cadets begin their training with an eight-week foundation course which teaches basic leadership skills, before going through 13 weeks of specialised combat training in their respective formations. They then come together again in the last week of the course to consolidate and share their experiences. During this phase, they also learn about the other vocations in the SAF.

Of his experience during the course, fellow graduand and Golden Bayonet recipient SCT Gareth Ng said: "I learnt how to think on my feet and assess conditions on the ground to make the right decisions. And these are skills that can be applied beyond my NS life." The Golden Bayonet is awarded to the top graduand of each vocation.

Attributing his outstanding performance in the course to encouragement from his family and late father, SCT Ng said: "My dad always motivated me, and told me to do my best in NS. I wanted to do well for him."

Both SCT Jerad and SCT Ng were among the 1,187 who graduated as Specialists at the 11th Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp on 22 Jun.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development Lee Yi Shyan, who officiated at the parade, reminded the newly-minted Specialists to lead by example and achieve the high standards that their men expected of them.

"For you to make tough decisions on the ground, you will require not just your deep expertise in specialised skills, but also a good understanding of the big picture and mission imperatives," said Mr Lee.

That message was not lost on the new Specialists. "A good leader must look ahead and always make contingency plans to achieve the larger mission," said SCT Ahmed Syakeer Bin Abdul Ravi, who recalled the last exercise before graduation, where he had to plan missions and manage the men under his charge, under trying conditions.

"Though fatigued, we were still able to work together, and I made sure to get my peers to share their ideas so that I could make the best decisions for everyone," said SCT Syakeer, who also received a Golden Bayonet.

"I just did the best I could to learn, do consistently well in all areas, and keep up my resilience through the toughest training," said SCT Syakeer of his achievement.

Echoing the sentiments of SCT Jerad about friendships forged, SCT Syakeer said: "We were total strangers before the course, and now we are as close as brothers."