NEW SAF SPECIALISTS TAKE THE LEAD

"I was grateful for another chance to train to be a commander," said 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Muhammad Noor Izzan Bin Zaharuddin.

The 20-year-old decided to channel his energies to being the best he could be. Along the way, his girlfriend joined the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) and trained for two weeks during the fasting month to get a taste of what he went through during National Service (NS).

"That made me feel that I had to do more, put in more effort (into my training) and do well," said 3SG Izzan. He eventually emerged as one of the top graduands of the cohort, receiving the Gold Bayonet award.

"I put a lot of heart into my training and I'm always thinking about what I can do to benefit or impact the others," added 3SG Izzan, who took the initiative to carry out tasks during his training to become a Transport Leader.

He will serve in Pasir Laba Camp, supporting the transport requirements of units in the camp and the nearby SAFTI Military Institute.

He was one of the 785 who received their 3rd Sergeant chevrons at a graduation parade held on 23 Nov at Pasir Laba Camp. Reviewing the parade was Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources & Health Dr Amy Khor.

Speaking at the parade, she reminded the graduands that they were "responsible for leading and training the men and women under (their) charge, and (inspiring) them to serve".

"As leaders in the SAF, you will unify your soldiers as Singaporeans who, regardless of race, language or religion, will band together to overcome setbacks together."

For 3SG Tryphena Tan, an SAF Regular, these words rang true. She recalled pulling through her 32km route march with the encouragement of her fellow SCTs.

"We were all telling each other that we could do it, and all of us completed (the route march) together. That taught me the power of teamwork," said the 20-year-old who received the Silver Bayonet award and the Best in Physical Training award.

"I just want to do well in my career and learn how to lead my (eventual) men well."

She attributes her decision to join the SAF to her father's influence. Her father works in ST Engineering and often came home with stories of the SAF's latest hardware and developments.

"That was when I first became interested in the SAF and the military as a career," said SCT Tan. She signed on to be an SAF Regular during her first year in Singapore Polytechnic.

She will head to 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment to lead a motorised infantry section.

For other graduands such as 3SG Evan Ng, the growth was on a more personal level. As someone who was not physically fit, he trained hard during his personal time to better his Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) results.

"I would train for an hour each evening with my bunk mates," said the 19-year-old. He followed a high-intensity interval workout routine, completing as many repetitions as he could.

"My peers were surprised that I was so motivated to do this daily," said 3SG Ng who missed the Gold IPPT award by a hair. "It's a target that I'll continue to strive for in my unit."

He will head to 160 Squadron, a Ground-Based Air Defence unit in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

When asked what he would take away from training to be a specialist, 3SG Ng replied: "The importance of trust. All of us have to believe in and support each other; only then will we able to complete complex tasks as a team."