LISTENING EARS OF THE SAF

Who said men don't listen?

In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), there are many men who are always ready to lend a listening ear, voluntarily.

One example is paracounsellor Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Tony Tan, who heads the Operations Control Branch in the Republic of Singapore Navy's Headquarters Fleet, Base Command.

As an orientation officer in the Basic Military Training Centre, he has helped newly-enlisted recruits adjust to military life by listening to their problems, and working out solutions with them.

Another paracounsellor, Military Expert (ME) 4 Tan Wee Seng, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command, has on many occasions spent time with his unit's Full-time National Servicemen discussing their career options before their Operationally Ready Date.

These are just some examples of what paracounsellors in the SAF do. Trained in suicide management, grief counselling, and generic counselling, they provide support for servicemen and women facing personal crises.

"As a paracounsellor, we help to strengthen the psychological resilience of servicemen and women in the SAF," explained LTC Tan, who became a paracounsellor in 2006.

ME4 Tan added: "Most of the time, servicemen just need a listening ear to help them to air their thoughts before arriving at a solution for their problems themselves."

While they concede that it is a challenge having to juggle their work and family time with their responsibilities as a paracounsellor, they view what they do as something rewarding.

"There's satisfaction in helping those in need, and that's what motivates me to keep doing this," said ME4 Tan, who has been a paracounsellor for 13 years.

For LTC Tan, paracounselling has changed his approach to problems.

"I've become a better listener, and I've learnt not to jump to conclusions at the first instance."

In recognition of their commitment towards helping their fellow servicemen, during a biennial appreciation dinner for paracounsellors on 9 Dec 2010, both LTC Tan and ME4 Tan received the top accolade for paracounsellors - the Distinguished Service Award - from Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chiang Chie Foo.

It was indeed a fitting way to appreciate the efforts of these unsung heroes.