GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR NS

When Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Vol) Desmond Ee hit the age of 60 in 2010, he bade goodbye to the familiar green combat fatigues and Army No. 3 uniform he had donned for most part of his adult life.

"It's very sad not to be able to wear the uniform and serve any more," said LTC (Vol) Ee, who first extended his service in the 1980s after completing his 13-year National Service (NS) cycle, and did so again after turning 50 in the year 2000.

As a Staff Officer at the Civil Military Relations Centre during his Volunteer service, he even offered to be deployed in Meulaboh for relief operations in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

Explaining the motivation behind extending his service, LTC (Vol) Ee, who is a senior academic staff at Republic Polytechnic, said: "I generally enjoyed my service, knowing that I was doing something important and meaningful."

To appreciate servicemen and Volunteers who have exhibited such dedication towards defending the nation, as exemplified by LTC (Vol) Ee, a dinner was held on 7 Jan at Pasir Laba Camp for 96 Key Appointment Holders, Reservists on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service (ROVERS) and Volunteers that were stepping down.

ROVERS are Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) who serve beyond their NS training cycle but are still within their statutory age ceilings (40 years old for NS Warrant Officers and Specialists and 50 years old for NS Officers) under the Enlistment Act.

Volunteers are NSmen who serve beyond their statutory age ceilings.

Thanking the attendees at the dinner, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing said: "Your dedication and contributions have touched many lives in the course of your service.

"I hope you will continue to imbue this passion and attitude in your circle of influence even after you have relinquished your NS appointments."

Also honoured at the dinner was Captain (CPT) (Vol) Sumasni Sunar, the Assistant Head of Nursing at the Health Promotion Board who served as a Volunteer in the SAF from 1982 to 2010.

In her last appointment as a nursing officer in charge of the Platoon 1 mobile operating theatre of 2nd Combat Support Hospital, she trained medics on nursing procedures to provide pre- and post-operative care for wounded soldiers out in the field.

During her period of service, she attended 10 high-key and five low-key In Camp Trainings (ICTs), more than what is required of NSmen.

She said: "This is what Total Defence is about. As a Singaporean woman, I should also do my part, so I felt really passionate about contributing my services to the nation."

She credited her husband, Mr Mashruddin Saharuddin, for his support of her Voluntary service, by taking care of their three sons, who are now in their 20s, while she attended ICTs.

Similarly, CPT (NS) Lee Wai Siew, cited family support as being most helpful when he decided to extend his service as a ROVER in 2007.

The director in business space solutions company Corporate Visions Pte Ltd will be stepping down from his appointment as Officer Commanding of the Field Defence Squadron, Tengah Air Base.

"My family, especially my wife, has been very encouraging about my decision to extend my service in SAF," said CPT (NS) Lee.

"They are very proud that I am willing to sacrifice my time to show that I love my nation."

He concluded by saying: "I really hope to see more Singaporean men having positive mindsets in serving the nation."