NO LIMITS
STORY // Matthew Neo
PHOTO // Kenneth Lin & Courtesy of SSG Xu
Talk about an overachiever - Ranger-trained SSG Zac Douglas Xu Peiwen is dedicated to doing his best in both training and studies.
From winning titles like Platoon Best Recruit to gaining the coveted Ranger tab to receiving the Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme (CLASS) Degree sponsorship, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Xu, 27, has pushed himself constantly to become a better soldier.
A platoon sergeant in 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 Gds) now, SSG Xu began his career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 2008 under the Joint Polytechnic-SAF Diploma Scheme. "Joining the Army has been my dream since young. I want to inspire and make a difference in people's lives."
Mastering the basics
Even during his Basic Military Training, SSG Xu set his goals high. He was in a platoon which comprised only Regulars and re-course trainees, and "being in such a platoon pushed each individual to strive to be the most outstanding".
Working hard and clinching Platoon Best Recruit, he repeated the feat during his Basic Section Leaders Course. It was perhaps no surprise that he went on to receive Company Best in his Advanced Section Leaders Course, as well as Best in Physical Training for the entire cohort.
Following his graduation as a 3rd Sergeant and the completion of his Guards Conversion Course, SSG Xu was immediately thrown into the thick of action. Just after he was posted to 1 Gds as a section commander, the battalion went overseas for a training exercise.
SSG Xu was appointed point section commander and tasked to lead the entire company to their objective. "I had to lead the company and also take charge of my own section," he elaborated. "While the company was taking breaks, I had to move forward to recce and confirm the direction. On top of that, I had to check on my section and account for them and their equipment.
"I constantly reminded myself that the company was relying on me, and tried to adapt quickly to the situation to complete all our objectives."
"(The Ranger Course) pushes not only our physical limits, but also our mental limits, to persevere and help each of our course mates along." - SSG Xu
Beaming with pride: SSG Xu (right) and his buddy Captain Kelvin Lim after completing the Ranger Course.
Ranger leads the way
After returning from the overseas exercise and only seven months into his tour as a section commander, SSG Xu signed up for the 36th Ranger Course in 2009.
"The Ranger Course is the toughest course in the SAF," said SSG Xu. "As a person who likes to challenge himself, I wanted to attempt it.
"This is a course which pushes not only our physical limits, but also our mental limits to persevere and help each of our course mates along."
Undergoing rigorous training with less than two hours of rest a day, SSG Xu pushed himself so hard that he fell sick during the final phase of the course: His entire body was covered in rashes.
His perseverance paid off when he successfully completed the grueling Ranger Course, despite being one of the most junior course participants.
SSG Xu (fourth from left) graduated from SMU in 2014.
Back in the classroom
In 2010, SSG Xu successfully applied for the CLASS Award, and headed to the Singapore Management University (SMU) to study for a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, with a second major in Strategic Management.
"It is important for the Warrant Officer and Specialist Corps to constantly upgrade itself with relevant skills and knowledge If we are not up to date, we cannot connect with our men, and it would be hard to understand what's going through their minds and to provide them with a positive National Service experience," he explained.
SSG Xu worked hard - not only in his training and studies, but also by taking part in many student activities. He was part of the SMU dragonboat team, participated in tae kwon do, and was also deputy operations director for a term in the SMU Sports Union.
"All these experiences helped to build my soft skills in terms of time management and collaborating with different agencies and people."
After graduating in May last year with a Bachelors with High Merit, SSG Xu is ready to take on new challenges: "(Being in school) changed my perspectives and taught me to be more critical Now I can see the bigger picture and the overall intent of the unit and training, and better communicate (the purpose behind it) to soldiers under my charge."
