SHE CALLS THE SHOTS

Despite the heavy commitments of being the National Day Parade (NDP) 2011 Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Jennifer Tan juggles both work and home responsibilities effectively.

One word from MWO Tan and more than 1,000 people move in perfect synch. That's life as the RSM of NDP.

MWO Tan is no stranger to dealing with so many people as her primary appointment is Brigade Sergeant Major at Headquarters 4th Singapore Armoured Brigade.

Between that and her previous appointments as a Platoon Commander and Company Sergeant Major, taking charge is a skill she has had much opportunity to hone and perfect.

Add the fact that she was the reserve RSM for NDP 2010, and you have someone who is fully qualified for the NDP 2011 RSM job.

Commanding voice

Shouting in the toilets and the car for no apparent reason might brand someone as a lunatic (at worst) or slightly eccentric (at best). For MWO Tan, these were but some of the ways she tuned her pipes for those moments in front of the nation as Parade RSM.

"From the time that I was reserve Parade RSM last year, I have been going for lessons on delivering the commands properly," said MWO Tan. She learnt the right way to holler those commands: from the diaphragm and not the throat.

When PIONEER saw her at one of the rehearsals, MWO Tan was delivering the drill commands like a seasoned pro. She hardly broke a sweat while forming up the parade ahead of the arrival of NDP 2011 Parade Commander Lieutenant Colonel Fahmi Aliman.

Devoting her time to NDP preparations has left MWO Tan with little time at home. Thankfully, her husband Phillip Ong has been very supportive. He made arrangements not to work night shifts so as to be home for his wife and family.

"It's an honour to be chosen to be Parade RSM and I want her to do well," said Mr Ong, a transport operator.

Military ties

MWO Tan first joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as a Human Resource administrator. About 11 years ago, she decided to take the leap and cross over to a combat vocation when the opportunity arose.

On hindsight, it seems as if she was destined for the military. Her father was a Military Policeman in what was then known as the SAF Provost Unit, and he ran a tight ship at home.

On some weekends, she would follow her father to unit gatherings, like cohesion events and family days. What struck her most then was how much respect her father commanded.

"He was a role model to me and I saw that he was well-liked by his men. That was when I began to think of the military as a possible career," said MWO Tan.

Domestic discipline

Her father's values eventually made their way into her own household where she is mother to three sons.

From their early years, the three brothers have had to put in plenty of elbow grease helping out with household chores, observing curfews and attending mandatory family events every weekend.

"I always believe that good personal discipline at home is important as it will carry you through your entire life," explained MWO Tan.

"I feel that I have drilled them well enough in preparation for National Service and they didn't get a shock when they enlisted!" said MWO Tan with reference to her twin sons.

Two of her sons - 21-year-old twins Jeffrey and Jason - have followed in her footsteps and signed on as Regulars in the SAF. They will join MWO Tan at NDP 2011 as Presidential Lance Guards, while her youngest son, 19-year-old Jordan, will be in the spectator stands as a crowd motivator.

Although she does not say it, MWO Tan draws much satisfaction from her work and pride from seeing her sons grow to become responsible adults - that gleam of pride in her eyes is unmistakable.

"Family is important - that was something my father taught us. Even when I got married and had my own family, we all made an effort to gather every weekend. This NDP has interesting weekend outings for me and my sons."
- MWO Tan