GOING EXTRA MILE IN CIRCUIT BREAKER TO GET FIT, BECOME AN OFFICER

23mar21_news1_photo1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/articles/people/2021/23-mar-2021/23mar21_news1_photo1.jpg?sfvrsn=8bcd022d_3 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/going-extra-mile-in-circuit-breaker-to-get-fit--become-an-officer
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/going-extra-mile-in-circuit-breaker-to-get-fit--become-an-officer
GOING EXTRA MILE IN CIRCUIT BREAKER TO GET FIT, BECOME AN OFFICER
23 Mar 2021 | PEOPLE

GOING EXTRA MILE IN CIRCUIT BREAKER TO GET FIT, BECOME AN OFFICER

//Story by GABRIEL LEE //Photos by CHUA SOON LYE & COURTESY OF EMIR ILYAS BIN ELHAM

Although 2LT Emir's BMT was suspended during the nation-wide circuit breaker period in 2020, he was determined to improve his fitness and achieve his dream of becoming an officer. The Full-time National Serviceman was among 204 cadets who commissioned as Officers on 21 Mar.

"If you want to challenge yourself, you should give OCS (Officer Cadet School) a shot."

These were the words of 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) Emir Ilyas Bin Elham's older brother, who also served his National Service (NS) as an Infantry officer. His brother, Lieutenant (NS) Edly Irsyad Bin Elham, – who was later posted back to the Basic Military Training (BMT) Centre as a Staff Officer – is the oldest of the three siblings in the family, and had been 2LT Emir's role model since young.

2LT Emir (far right) at his brother's Operationally Ready Date Parade in November 2019.

However, entering OCS seemed a far-off dream to 2LT Emir at the start of his BMT. He weighed 80kg, and believed that he stood little chance of becoming an Officer having joined the Physical Training Phase (PTP) of BMT.

The eight-week PTP aims to raise the physical and combat fitness of recruits who failed to attain a minimum of 61 points for the Pre-enlistee Individual Physical Proficiency Test.

Inspired by the stories of his brother's NS leadership journey, 2LT Emir became set on aiming for OCS during BMT, where he had gained a deep appreciation for the importance of fitness.

"I knew that training would only become tougher in OCS if I managed to get in. Hence, I took it upon myself to become fitter, to better adapt to the tougher training conditions down the road."

Adapting to changes during the pandemic

However, nothing was normal for 2LT Emir because COVID-19 struck during his BMT.

With his BMT hit by a one-month suspension due to the circuit breaker period, recruits in his batch were instructed to spend the month at home improving their fitness and developing their basic soldiering skills with the help of home-based instructional material.

Like many of his peers, 2LT Emir did not cut himself any slack during the one-month suspension.

"The circuit breaker gave me the opportunity to make changes to my lifestyle and to put into practice the fitness exercises I learnt during BMT before it was suspended.

"For example, I went the extra mile to go for runs and also completed additional Physical Training. I wanted to prove to my Commanders, my family and to myself that I could take charge of my health and fitness."

The 20-year-old's efforts paid off. He shed 13kg by the end of BMT and also qualified for OCS.

2LT Emir (second from left) training with fellow Officer Cadets of the 120/20 batch.

Developing skills & confidence

Fitness, however, was only half of the story. Upon entering OCS, 2LT Emir faced new challenges – he had to learn how to lead his men and strengthen his people skills.

"Especially when the platoon's morale is low, you need to understand what can keep the men under you going," he explained.

"Our lowest point in OCS was during an outfield exercise that was supposed to be conducted overseas, but was held at Pulau Tekong instead due to COVID-19. That particular exercise was tough as it comprised back-to-back missions."

2LT Emir also recalled how his platoon's energy level plunged after they were informed that their training would be extended by another day.

"But that was also the turning point for us, as we realised that another day of training would not make a difference, considering the effort we had (already) put in over the past five days. I told my fellow platoon-mates that we could do it, and convinced them to pull through the last day."

2LT Emir (far left) receiving his ceremonial sword from Brigadier-General Chua Jin Kiat, Commander 9 Division / Chief Infantry Officer, on 22 Mar.

OCS also helped 2LT Emir to muster his confidence, especially when doing presentations to others. "I remember how nervous I was when we had to present our mission plans to our Platoon Instructors in OCS. They would then decide whether to give us the green light to implement these plans.

"I took the opportunity to proactively seek feedback from my peers through practice sessions so that they could help me improve my presentation skills. After much practice, I finally gained the confidence to present in front of a crowd and my men."

While 2LT Emir is currently unsure about whether to sign on as an Army Regular, he is certain about one thing: the need to step up and lead his men for the remainder of his NS stint.

"OCS made me realise that it is only through leading by example and by taking the first step that others will follow. This takeaway will be important in my future role as a Platoon Commander."

Suggested Reading
SUITED UP FOR SUBMARINE ESCAPE TRAINING
PEOPLE
23 Mar 2021

Get an inside look at how the Navy drills its submariners on escape survival techniques, to prepare them for an emergency.

CYBER DEFENDERS TAKE ON NEW THREATS IN CLOUD AND AI IN NATIONAL EXERCISE
PEOPLE
23 Mar 2021

The third Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) brings together cyber defenders from across Singapore to face the ever-evolving challenges of digital threats. 

Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
PEOPLE
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
PEOPLE
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

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
23 Mar 2021

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