MOVING AHEAD IN THE SAF

A career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) does not need to plateau at any point. Here are three Regulars who have upgraded their skills and continually progressed in their military careers.

The phrase "climbing the corporate ladder" is rarely used in the military context, but progress is no less necessary in a military career.

At an SAF-Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Memorandum of Understanding signing in May, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong emphasised the need for continuous learning.

He said: "SAF servicemen have to be well trained with the skills to maximise the effectiveness of our advanced technologies. Our people will also have to be well educated with the knowledge, the mental agility and adaptability to work in different operating environments and contexts."

With an emphasis on continuing education and skills upgrading, the SAF partners various educational institutions to tap their academic expertise. For example, the organisation offers joint programmes with tertiary institutions for servicemen to obtain professional certifications.

The SAF also regularly sends servicemen on overseas courses for them to gain more exposure and interact with their foreign counterparts.

PIONEER speaks to three Regulars about what they do to make the most of their military careers.

Keeping skills relevant

As a combat medic, Military Expert (ME) 1 Tan Min Kai constantly sharpens his medical skills so that he is always able and ready to save lives.

Since signing on as a Regular in 2009, he has attended the Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Specialist courses, where he learnt skills such as first aid, basic life-saving, ambulance crew leadership, patient counselling and crisis management.

The training curricula for both courses are endorsed by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). The JIBC is a leading educator for training pre-hospital care paramedics.

He completed a one-and-a-half-month obstetrics and pediatrics course in NYP in 2010, and this May, he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Paramedicine in NYP, after completing an eight-month route of advancement course. He is now pursuing a part-time Biomedical Science degree at his own expense.

On how such courses benefit him, he said: "I took home valuable skills that I can apply as a combat medic, and what I learnt keeps me up to date with advancements in the medical field. Plus, I get exposed to many different medical situations, which we fortunately don't get to see very much of in the military."

Besides applying the knowledge he gained in his job, he is keen to impart it to his juniors. "Hopefully one day I can take on the role of an instructor, so that I can help to educate the medics, and teach them how to make our Medical Corps better," he said.

Building networks

When Major (MAJ) Ian Lim was offered the opportunity in 2011 to attend a Command and Staff Course (CSC) in, he readily took it.

The Executive Officer (Designate) of RSS Archer explained: "I thought that an overseas CSC would be great as it would expose me to the culture of the host armed forces, and allow me to befriend counterparts from the host country."

From last September, he spent about 10 months at the People's Liberation Army (Navy) CSC, where he gained strategic perspectives of regional and international social-political issues, and went on study tours to understand the history and culture of China.

When asked about the advantages of such overseas courses, MAJ Lim replied: "First, you understand more about how other armed forces work. I realised that they have certain unique practices which the SAF can adopt.

"Second, the interaction among the international foreign students during such courses helps to build a network of friends, which will be useful in future interactions between the SAF and other armed forces."

MAJ Chan (right) receiving his scroll at his convocation held at UniSIM on 4 Oct.

Never stop learning

For two years, while most adults his age headed home after work to hit the sack, MAJ Chan Kwai Kiong had to hit the books.

From 2010 to June this year, he did a part-time Bachelor's degree in Multimedia at the (UniSIM), with a minor in military studies. His degree was sponsored by the SAF under its Continuing Education initiative.

According to the Operations Officer of 126 Squadron, which operates the Super Puma helicopters, the desire for personal upgrading prompted him to pursue the degree. Before acquiring his degree, his highest academic qualification was a Diploma in Electronics and Communication obtained from Singapore Polytechnic in 1993.

Said MAJ Chan: "I wanted to improve myself, and also be a good example of sustained learning to my kids who are in primary school."

Explaining the choice of his degree course, he said: "I chose to major in Multimedia because of my interest in photography, while military studies provide me with insights on strategic defence issues and allow me to appreciate Singapore's defence relationship with other countries."

He expressed his gratitude at receiving the sponsorship and said: "It (the sponsorship) encourages people to embark on their own learning journey by helping them to take their first step. The rest is up to them."

"It (the sponsorship) encourages people to embark on their own learning journey by helping them to take their first step. The rest is up to them."

- MAJ Chan on the benefit of the SAF's education and skills upgrading initiatives