LIFE LESSONS FROM NS

Meet three servicemen who were awarded the inaugural NSF (Full-time National Serviceman) of the Year Award.

Winning the inaugural NSF of the Year Award is an honour that only 70 men of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can lay claim to.

On 11 Jul, 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Muhammad Khairul Rusydi and his fellow award winners got to meet President S R Nathan at the Istana because of their strong commitment to defence and significant contributions beyond the call of duty during their National Service (NS) stints.

Winning ways

"You get as much out of NS as you put into it," said 3SG (NS) Khairul, who extended his service by one and a half months to work on a project for his unit, the 34th Forward Maintenance Depot (34FMD), where he served as an Automotive Technician Specialist.

During his NS stint, 3SG (NS) Khairul founded the 34FMD Ignition Council together with other NSFs. The Council looks into the welfare and organisational aspects of the unit, particularly for NSFs.

Another winner, Lieutenant (LTA) Sim Bao Chen, decided to make the SAF his career. Continuing from his NSF role, he signed on as an Air Warfare Officer of Ground-Based Air Defence in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

"I see a lot of advancement in this unit as we continue to upgrade our systems and people," said LTA Sim of his decision to become a Regular.

For 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) (NS) Vincent Lim, NS was where he learnt the value of time. As a Watch Controller in the Mari-time Security Task Force, he often had to deal with several hectic incidents in the Singapore Strait simultaneously. "Through NS, I realised that time management is one of the keys to success in everything we do in life," said 2LT (NS) Lim.

Keeping busy

What's a guy going to do after his operationally-ready date? Going for a holiday, catching up with friends and just enjoy-ing the break would seem the natural thing to do.

While waiting for his university semester to begin, 3SG (NS) Khairul returned to teach at his alma mater, Raffles Institution, and to mentor the National Cadet Corps unit in the school.

2LT (NS) Lim has also kept himself busy, giving tuition and trying out new sports such as canoeing.'

And what's the biggest thing they've learnt during NS? "You get to work with many different people and it definitely makes you more confident!" said LTA Sim, with whom the other two readily agreed.