FROM CLERK TO SECTION LEADER

03feb20-photo1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/articles/people/2020/3-feb-2020/03feb20-photo1.jpg?sfvrsn=2aac54fa_3 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/from-clerk-to-section-leader
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/from-clerk-to-section-leader
FROM CLERK TO SECTION LEADER
03 Feb 2020 | PEOPLE

FROM CLERK TO SECTION LEADER

//Story by CHIA CHONG JIN //Photos by KENNETH LIN & CHIA CHONG JIN

3rd Sergeant (3SG) Muhammad Noorhakim Bin Rozilan shares his journey of going through Basic Military Training (BMT) (twice!) to be fighting fit.

When he received his enlistment letter in late 2017, 3SG Noorhakim was disappointed to find out he was deemed unfit for combat-fit BMT.

"I was really upset," said the 27-year old. "After confiding in my friends and family, I told myself that the least I could do during my two years of service was to attempt to become a combatant. Fortunately, I was able to achieve that."

Why did he want to "up-PES"? The full-time national serviceman, who was initially assigned Physical Employment Standard (PES) C because of an allergy, wanted to contribute more and felt that it would be a waste if he were to spend his two years in an office setting.

"I wanted to challenge myself and, to be frank, I prefer to do something that involves a physical aspect, as compared to administrative work," said 3SG Noorhakim.

"I wanted to push boundaries and go beyond my limits. Today, after many ups and downs during my time in service, I am proud to be a section commander in Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC)."

3SG Noorhakim (left) encouraging one of his recruits as he completes his leopard-crawl as part of combat circuit training.

3SG Noorhakim went through two cycles of BMT – the first in May 2018, before the establishment of BMTC School V in October 2018. Then, PES C enlistees underwent four weeks of military training at Pulau Tekong before transferring to Sembawang Camp for five weeks to continue their vocational training.

After completing his first BMT, 3SG Noorhakim then continued to serve as an Admin Support Assistant in Army Medical School (AMS), Nee Soon Camp, for five months.

After many long consultations with Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Officers and his own personal medical specialist about his allergy throughout the five months he was in AMS, he was given the green light to be upgraded to PES B.

3SG Noorhakim then went back to Pulau Tekong again in January 2019 to go through BMT a second time for a nine-week combat-fit military training.

He recalled: "There was definitely a lot more physical training during my second BMT and even though even it was challenging, I found it refreshing to be able to do these physical activities!"

"Deciding to challenge myself during my NS (National Service) days really made my time here more fulfilling, and that's what makes my NS journey enjoyable till this day."

Proud moment: 3SG Noorhakim’s father affixing the chevrons on his uniform at his Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade on 22 Aug 2019.

3SG Noorhakim is especially thankful to his section commander, 3SG Lew Jie Wei, during his second BMT for inspiring him to become a leader.

"3SG Lew knew that I was initially from a service-fit PES status, and he told me that he saw the leadership qualities in me," said 3SG Noorhakim. It began when 3SG Lew noticed how 3SG Noorhakim would help ease his platoon mates' workload or guide them whenever he could.

"He told me that I had the potential to become a commander, and he would often encourage me to better myself in certain areas such as my leadership skills," added 3SG Noorhakim. "I would work on his advice and continue to push myself even further. That is how I eventually made it to Specialist Cadet School."

Another person who inspires 3SG Noorhakim to do better is his father - 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) Rozilan Bin Mohd Roshid, a driving tester at Kaki Bukit Camp.

"My father shared with me his experiences during his time in NS, about how they had to go for outfield exercises and training, being able to go for range, and all these exercises sounded very thrilling to me," said 3SG Noorhakim.

"These were some events I would not have been able to experience for myself if I remained as an Admin Support Assistant in AMS, and that made me wanted to upgrade my PES status.

"He always told me to excel and do the best that I can during my time in NS, and those words motivated me to become who I am today."

Even though being a section commander in BMTC is more physically and mentally demanding as compared to being an Administrative Support Assistant in AMS, 3SG Noorhakim is grateful for being able to do something meaningful within the two years of his NS.

As such, he aims to inspire and give his recruits the guidance to becoming not only better soldiers, but better people.

"With these few months I have left in the service, I hope that I will leave a positive impact to every single one of my recruits who were once under me, and that they will become soldiers who are willing to defend our nation."

Suggested Reading
Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

How do you house some 6,000 people and feed them for three months? You build a pop-up “city” – complete with accommodations and the basic comforts of home – for the thousands of SAF soldiers who train annually in Queensland, Australia.

Cover story
FIGHTING AS ONE AT EXERCISE TRIDENT
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

Singapore’s army, navy and air force work together with Australian troops to capture targets in both jungle and urban warfare.

Cover story
THEY LIFT UP OUR BIG GUNS
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

Get up close with the men and machines of 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (24 SA), who provide a boost to our gunners to make sure they are always on time and on target.

COMMAND & STAFF COLLEGE GRADUANDS READY TO TAKE ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Super Puma flight tales
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

Retired helicopter pilot MAJ (Ret) Robert Tan was among the first few batches of locally-trained Super Puma pilots. Sports car or smooth bus – guess which vehicle he likens the aircraft to?

Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

Feature
He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

LTC (NS) Leow Kah Shin and his NS buddies go on an annual “Exercise Longwalk” as a commitment to do something adventurous together.

Charting their path in the skies
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

From passion to flight: Students Cherie Goh and Alexey Cher fulfilled their childhood aspirations to attain their “wings”.

CSL_4657
Armour visit Dad at work!
PEOPLE
03 Feb 2020

In this year’s PIONEER Kids special, MAJ Justin Tan brings his three children – Danielle, Thaddeus and Asher – on a military adventure at the Home of the Armour.