RECRUIT AGAIN!

MediaCorp artiste Shane Pow goes back to BMT for seconds. PIONEER finds out why, in an exclusive interview with the up-and-coming star.

Every guy has probably met someone like this during Basic Military Training (BMT): the annoyingly siao-on (overly enthusiastic) soldier who aspires to be an officer.

That's the character Corporal (CPL) (NS) Shane Pow plays in the light-hearted sitcom, Recruit Diaries. This new series features a different element of BMT life, ranging from outfield training to life in camp, in every episode.

Some may remember Shane for his role in the show It Takes Two, as an overly ambitious youth who only thinks of striking it rich. In reality, the fresh-faced newcomer is anything but that.

Be it the time when he was a National Youth Basketball Team player or now when he's working hard on his childhood dream to make acting a career, the 23-year-old strives to do his best in everything he does.

How does it feel to be in this show?

"Actually, this is my first time acting in a sitcom, so it was definitely a very fun and interesting experience. It's very different from acting in a drama. In a drama, you don't get to meet everyone because there are a few storylines. So artistes in different storylines don't see each other often.

"However, acting in a sitcom is very different. You get to see your fellow cast members every day and you will stick with them for the entire duration of the filming.

"There's a lot of bonding and over time, they become your buddies. You go through marching, running, SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) together, so it really feels like going into army all over again."

Could you describe your role in the series?

"My character is called Lin Daiyu and his nickname is 'Ah Man'. He is a physically-fit soldier who is obsessed about getting into OCS (Officer Cadet School). He is a very enthusiastic recruit and would always volunteer to do more physical exercises. But every time he says something, it will either offend someone or get the whole section punished. Because of this, everybody hates him."

What was your National Service (NS) experience like?

"My Full-time NS was from August 2010 to August 2012. I was a signaller in 160 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force. The thing about NS is that it's not about where you are, but who you are with. That's what I learnt because I had extremely good peers and commanders.

"When we did outfield exercises and encountered technical difficulties with the radio sets, we would always contact our commanders for help, especially our encik. They are very knowledgeable and helpful, and it saved us a lot of time and effort in rectifying problems. I'm very thankful that I had good commanders."

What was your personal takeaway from NS?

"Treat people the way you want them to treat you. I learnt that this is the most important way of dealing with people from different walks of life. In the military, you need to rely a lot on your buddy and your section. If you have a bad relationship with anyone, unfortunately, you have to be stuck with them for the rest of the two years, and your NS experience will not be very enjoyable."

Do you still play basketball competitively?

"Sadly, no. I tore my knee ligament during training when I was 17, and had to go through knee ligament reconstruction surgery. I still play basketball recreationally."

Would you like to act in another army show?

"It depends. If the response to the sitcom is good, we might have a part two! But I hope that it won't be about recruits in BMT again. I want to keep my hair!"

From 18 Jul, Recruit Diaries will air every Thursday night, 8.30pm on Channel 8.