SAF RECOGNISES SENIOR LEADERS IN PROMOTION CEREMONY

The phrase "growing with your job" is usually used as a figure of speech. But to Military Expert 5 (ME5) Narayanan Prakash, Head of Submarine Maintenance Safety Programme in the Naval Logistics Department, the phrase takes on a literal meaning.

Not only has the 50-year-old spent 20 of his 29 years in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) working with submarines, he also almost shares a birthday with the RSN's first submarines.

"Our first few submarines were made almost the same year I was born, in 1966 or 1967, so in a way, we are almost as old," said the Naval Warfare System Engineer.

"One of these submarines, the RSS Chieftain, was my own ship. I was (then) the Marine Engineering Officer of the ship when I brought it back to Singapore (from Sweden)," he added.

His work with the submarines has also become a family affair. As part of the pioneer batch of submariners to be trained overseas, he was a newly-wed when he travelled to train in Sweden, where both his daughters were born. His family was with him again when he returned to Sweden 15 years later for a second training stint.

Thus, it was only fitting that his wife of 20 years was present to witness his promotion to ME6.

"As a Navy wife, she has stuck with me all these years and gone through thick and thin with me. It's a chance for her to see that I've been recognised," he said happily.

ME5 Prakash was one of over 500 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to receive their promotion certificates at a promotion ceremony on 30 Jun, held at the Ministry of Defence.

At the event graced by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, the certificates were presented to Regulars and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) promoted to the next higher rank; the promotion taking effect on 1 Jul.

On being promoted, ME5 Prakash was grateful to have been given the opportunity to take on different roles and gain more experience. He said: "I'm delighted to be promoted (as) it is an affirmation of all my (years of) service. The fact that I was able to move around (in the Navy) gave me better exposure (so that I could take on) greater responsibilities."

Like ME5 Prakash, Commander Air Defence Group Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Koh Ee Wen, 38, also credited the opportunity to take on various postings for helping her to come into her own as a leader.

"Because I've been able to work my way up the ranks and experience command at the various levels, it has given me the opportunity to develop a toolbox of leadership styles. I am able to adapt my style to different situations," she said, citing examples such as taking the lead and being decisive in operations, and taking a step back to allow her men to bring their knowledge to the table in solving complex problems.

As one of three female SLTCs promoted to the rank of Colonel this year, SLTC Koh believed that it was important for them to mentor other women in the SAF.

She said: "I was very fortunate that Brigadier-General (BG) Gan (Siow Huang) came before me. She played a very strong mentoring role to many of us. She took us under her wing and befriended us. So I feel that we should pay it forward to others." BG Gan, Head Joint Manpower Department, was the first servicewoman to become a one-star general in last year's promotion ceremony.

For NSman Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Dr) (NS) Mohamad Rosman bin Othman, the promotion came as a pleasant surprise.

"I'm happy because (it shows that) the SAF acknowledges and recognises my contributions in NS. As long as you do your part, work hard and do well in NS, you will be recognised by the SAF," said the Medical Officer, who is Head of Planning Section, General Staff Operations (Army).

As a Senior Consultant and Head of Refractive Surgery Department at the Singapore National Eye Centre, the surgeon has had to juggle his heavy workload with his NS responsibilities. Nonetheless, he believes in making time for both. He said: "It's about prioritising and determining when you need to do which activity. For example, if there's an ICT (in-camp training) coming up, I will (re)schedule my (patients') appointments and operations to make sure I'm free for that particular (ICT) period."

"All of us have a part to play in Total Defence we cannot take our defence for granted. Otherwise, who is going to defend Singapore?" he added resolutely.

First RSN Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)

The RSN also welcomed its first CWO. Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) Ong Siang Thai, Commanding Officer of the Naval Diving Unit's Frogman Group, will become the RSN's highest-ranking warrant officer, come 1 Jul.

"I feel very fortunate that I'm able to reach this pinnacle rank. I'm very thankful to the SAF and RSN for giving me this recognition. I (also) owe it to a very good team of naval divers in my unit, and of course, the strong support of my family." said the 49-year-old, who has been in the service for 30 years.

Like SLTC Koh, he also felt a sense of duty to become a good role model for the younger Warrant Officers and Specialists (WOSpecs): "I would strongly encourage them to give their best in what they do, particularly in training, because WOSpecs are well developed as trainers on the ground." He urged WOSpecs to continue to find meaning in their jobs and inculcate the SAF's core values in soldiers during training and outside of training.

This year, a total of 434 officers, 67 MEs and 40 warrant officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force are promoted to the next highest rank.

Leading the promotions are Chief of Defence Force Major-General (MG) Perry Lim, who is promoted to Lieutenant-General; and Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force BG Mervyn Tan, who are both promoted to the rank of MG.

The promotion exercise is part of an ongoing effort to recognise, reward and groom SAF leaders who have performed well and demonstrated potential to contribute further to the SAF.