SERVICE TO THE NATION

As an Honorary Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of Singapore since 1998, Military Expert (ME) 7 Daniel Chua Thian Cheong has received countless foreign dignitaries at the Istana. However, one of the memories etched deepest in his mind was when he had to send off our very own founding father.

ME7 Chua, the Head of Manoeuvre and Survivability Engineering Branch at Headquarters Combat Service Support Command, was overseeing the planning of the 24-hour vigil by officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). He witnessed many Honorary ADCs coming forward to offer their services as vigil guards.

"We volunteered for the duty because we ve had many interactions with Mr Lee in our jobs as Honorary ADCs," the 55-year-old Army Engineer recounted. "It was a very emotional experience for many of our Honorary ADCs. Without asking, they just came forward, even those who had retired. That was the most touching."

At the Honorary ADC Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony Dinner on 13 May, ME7 Chua was reappointed as an Honorary ADC and presented with a token of appreciation by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Commending him for his "outstanding and dedicated service to the President's Office", Dr Tan thanked him for his contributions over the last 17 years.

A total of 102 personnel from the SAF, SPF and SCDF were appointed Honorary ADCs at the ceremony held in the Istana. Of the 102, 57 were from the SAF, with 10 being newly appointed, while the other 47 were reappointed.

The Honorary ADCs are a corps of uniformed personnel, comprising both Regulars and Operationally-ready National Servicemen, who assist three full-time ADCs in events organised by the President's Office. They are volunteers who offer their time and services while holding down their regular jobs and duties. The Honorary ADCs who are in service are reappointed annually.

"As an Honorary ADC to the President, you represent the Presidency," Dr Tan told the Honorary ADCs in his welcome remarks. "The responsibility is heavy and the expectations of you are high. (But) I am confident that you will rise to the challenge of your duties and continue to uphold the stature of the office."

Rising up to new challenges is one of the reasons Captain (CPT) Eileen Zhang Xinmei decided to volunteer as an Honorary ADC. The 29-year-old Naval Officer saw the role as an extension of her work in the SAF.

"This job is very different from what military officers do. This is the diplomacy portion of defence, where you serve the President and help him in discharging his duties. I think it's an honour to serve him and the office," said the Staff Officer in the National Service Branch, National Defence Directorate. This is the first time she is being appointed.

"This is also another way I can serve the nation on top of my day job," added fellow new-appointee, ME4 Thanasekar s/o Pothiraj. The 30-year-old Air Force Engineer developed an interest in the protocols and decorum required in handling dignitaries after working in the Foreign Military Liaison Branch during the Air Show last year.

As a Staff Officer in the Attack Helicopter Branch, Helicopter Centre, Air Engineering and Logistics Department, he hoped that his job as a system manager has equipped him with the skills necessary for his role in interacting with local and foreign dignitaries: "My current job requires me to talk to a lot of people, such as contractors. I will be able to apply the soft skills I learnt to this role as well."

As they will be juggling both work commitments and duties in the President's Office, CPT Zhang was also glad that her commanders were supportive of her decision: "They see that this role is in line with what we do." She was alluding to the SAF's role in serving the nation.

However, first-time Honorary ADC CPT Mohamed Khairiz bin Mohamed Khair noted that accepting the job meant some sacrifices on their part.

"You need to sacrifice, for instance, personal time. I had to discuss it with my parents. Even at work, your colleagues might need to cover for you." said the Guards Officer who is an Officer Commanding in Basic Military Training Centre School 4. At 26, he was one of the youngest Honorary ADCs to be appointed this year.

He added: "But as long as you have the desire and interest to do it, that's the most important."

ME4 Thanasekar agreed: "Since I requested to do this, I am more than happy to take up the duties."