REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: 273 CIVILIAN OFFICERS PROMOTED

Talk about climbing the corporate ladder. From working in a junior staff position to leading a team of five, Mr Murali s/o Subramaniam joined the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fifteen years ago and has looked after the RSAF purse-strings since.

He heads a section within a department which controls and allocates the financial budget for the RSAF. What has made him stay on for so long? "It's the constant challenge of trying to improve and find better ways to do my work," said the 37-year-old.

Starting out in the RSAF as a Defence Executive Assistant (DXEA), he went on to complete a degree in Accountancy and subsequently rose to the Officer grades. "I've been interested in accounting and finance since my NS (National Service) days, so when the opportunity (to head a section) came, I took it."

His most memorable experience so far? The two times which he headed to Phoenix, Arizona in the United States for Exercise Forging Sabre. "I was involved from the very early stages to the actual conduct of the exercise.

"It was an eye-opener for me to see how my work contributed to how the RSAF operates," said Mr Murali, who participated in the exercise in 2011 and 2013.

He was one of 273 Defence Executive Officers (DXOs), DXEAs and civilian officers who received their certificates of promotion at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 25 Jun.

Also among those who were promoted was Mr Zachary Ang Han Wei, a staff officer who works on defence policies. He began working in MINDEF less than two years ago after completing his Masters studies on a scholarship.

He recalled his experience at the recent ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus held in Brunei last year: "It was quite a sight to see all the defence ministers from different countries, and it was exciting to be a part of a meeting which touched on very real security challenges."

"I hope this (promotion) means I am doing okay, but more than that, I'm grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me," said the 27-year-old.

For fellow promotee Ms Tan Lay Ann, it's the sheer number of jobs she can take up within MINDEF which attracted her to take up the job five years ago. "It's a big organisation so there are a lot of job functions available," she explained.

The 28-year-old is also thinking of upgrading herself with a degree in business studies. "That's another thing I appreciate about working in MINDEF - it is a welcoming environment, people are helpful and there is a good work-life balance."

It is also an organisation for people who crave new challenges, said Ms Betty Ho. She made the move to a Manpower role in the Singapore Artillery Formation after almost 16 years in DXO recruitment.

"It was just time to move. It's a totally new job with new responsibilities and every day I am learning."

She added: "One thing that hasn't changed: it's still challenging and I'm happy in this (new) role!"