NEW SERGEANTS SHARE THEIR MOTIVATIONS TO SERVE

She gave up her IT career to join the Military Police - at the age of 30. To her horror, Specialist Cadet (SCT) Clarice Ng found that she couldn't do a single push-up and looked set to fail her Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT).

"But training with the guys helped to push my limits, and I worked hard to keep up with them," said SCT Ng, who eventually scored a Gold for IPPT.

She was inspired to join the Army after watching a cyberpioneerTV video on women in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Then, she was six years into her desk-bound IT job, and badly needed a new challenge. At the same time, she wanted a job that allowed her to serve the society.

"I had always wanted to serve, and the Army's job scope really interested me," said the military policewoman, whose role now is to enforce law and order in the SAF.

SCT Ng was among the over 1,000 specialist cadets who graduated during a parade on 24 Nov.

Responsibilities

The reviewing officer for the parade was Mr Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth.

In his address, Mr Baey said the new specialists have the challenge of training their soldiers well, so that they would be ready to defend Singapore from a variety of threats especially terrorism.

They also have to help their soldiers to understand why Singapore needs a strong defence, and why their commitment is crucial, he added.

"Your contributions, on and off the battlefield, will strengthen the resilience of our people, helping to keep Singapore secure in this uncertain security environment," he said.

Role model

The message resonated with SCT Leroy Low, who was inspired by his father - a Senior Warrant Officer in the Army - to be a commander.

But before enlisting, he didn't truly appreciate the challenges of his father's job.

"I always thought that his job was just commanding people around," said the 19-year-old radar specialist in the Air Force. "(But) after I enlisted, I looked at the people holding ranks that he once held (and) I realised that his job was very meaningful."

He recalled how his sergeants led by example - going through the tough, physical training together with the recruits, constantly motivating them and taking care of their needs.

"It's challenging and tiring, but when they gain the respect of their men, I feel that it is meaningful this is what I want to do," he said.

Family tradition

Similarly, SCT Muhammad Syohir was inspired by a family member - his late grandfather, who was a navy sailor.

SCT Syohir himself also worked as a sailor on board a merchant ship before his enlistment.

"My grandfather told me a lot of stories about the sea," said the 23-year-old who has a diploma in nautical studies.

"He was quite inspiring, I want to carry on his interest, which was in line with mine - to seek adventure."

His late grandfather would be proud of his achievement - SCT Syohir emerged as the top Navy graduand, earning the prestigious Golden Bayonet award.

SCT Syohir, who graduated as a navigation specialist, hopes to contribute in disaster relief operations overseas.

"I hope to be a better sailor, and put my skills to good use," he said.