FEMALE CADET'S PASSION FOR THE MILITARY

For most women, joining the military is not usually a career choice. But for Officer Cadet (OCT) Shirlyn Neo You Qin, a career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is "a necessary source of challenge and fulfilment."

She explained: "Maybe I could have followed another path and taken another job, but I don't think that anything would have been as rewarding as joining the military. Having a career is one thing. Having a passion for what you do is a different issue. Here, I have both."

She managed to allay her parents' initial apprehension by assuring them that a military career was her calling. "After that, my parents were very supportive the entire way," she said.

OCT Neo was one of the 336 cadets who were commissioned as officers at SAFTI Military Institute on 21 Mar. This marked the end of nine arduous months of training at the Officer Cadet School (OCS).

Overcoming the challenges during training was part and parcel of the OCS experience, she claimed. "It was really difficult to keep up with the guys physically, but when I put in the effort and achieved the results, it was truly rewarding."

"I thought it would be hard to deal with guys, but I really learned a lot through our interactions."

Describing the whole OCS experience as "absolutely incredible", OCT Neo added: "I wouldn't trade it for anything!"

At the commissioning parade, Reviewing Officer, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan, reminded the newly-commissioned officers that they "must have the courage, the fortitude and the determination to overcome challenges" and continue to dedicate themselves "to the security and peace of Singapore."

21 Mar 09 - 336 Commissioned as SAF Officers