READY TO LEAD WITH CONVICTION

Officer Cadet (OCT) Tracy Ong's journey to becoming an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was a long and arduous one.

She grew up in a single-parent family and, at the tender age of 16, was already the sole breadwinner.

While her peers continued their studies, OCT Ong spent four years saving up for a polytechnic education. Even while studying for her diploma, she had to take on various jobs to support her family.

Now a newly minted SAF officer, the 25-year-old looks forward to a rewarding and purposeful career in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

OCT Ong was one of the 582 officer cadets who were commissioned as officers in a parade held at the SAFTI Military Institute on 17 Jan.

"I was seeking a more purposeful and meaningful career... and decided that the SAF was a good choice, said the Air Warfare Officer (Command, Control, and Communications).

After obtaining her diploma two years ago, she worked for multinational company Procter & Gamble, but she was not sure whether working in the private sector was for her. Eventually, she found her calling - in the military.

On how the Officer Cadet School (OCS) training has shaped her life, OCT Ong said: "OCS made me a better team player, a better leader. It is not often you get the chance to work with so many people of different backgrounds."

The commissioning parade marked the completion of 38 weeks of rigorous training at OCS.

President Dr Tony Tan, who reviewed the parade, noted in his address that just three days ago, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, was rocked by terrorist attacks which left eight people dead and at least 20 wounded.

In the light of the threats that confront Singapore and the region, Dr Tan urged the new officers to lead their men well, just as Singapore's pioneers have done.

He said: "SAF officers today must carry on in the same indomitable spirit of our pioneers to overcome the new challenges on the horizon and lead us into the next chapter of the Singapore story.

"They must embrace the same convictions and lead the men and women under their charge in the firm belief that we can only depend on ourselves to defend our country and our way of life."

Dr Tan's message strongly resonated with OCT Samuel Mirpuri, even though he was born in Spain and had stayed there for most of his life. His father is a Spaniard of Indian descent, and his mother is a Singaporean.

"At first, I wasn't sure what National Service (NS) is all about. But after going through it, I began to understand why a conscript army is important to our survival," said the 19-year-old Sword of Honour (Armour) recipient, the top trainee in the armour formation.

"Singapore is a little red dot - if not us, then who (will defend our country)?"

The former Atletico Madrid football club youth team player credited his platoon mates for helping him to overcome the culture shock of living in a "new" country as well as in a regimented environment.

Transforming lives

For OCT Tee Chze Hao, wanting to help people transform their lives was his reason for becoming a Regular.

He had heard stories from his commanders about how men - who were delinquents with troubled pasts - went on to become "better husbands and sons" after NS.

"I too want to make an impact on people's lives, to help them become better persons," he said.

The 26-year-old only signed on last year after completing his university studies. He was a specialist during his full-time national service (NSF) days and served with distinction.

A recipient of the Silver Bayonet during his specialist cadet course, he was one of three NSFs in 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (4 SIR), to be appointed as platoon sergeants. He also received the NSF of the Year award in 2011.

As an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman) in 792 SIR, he served as the company sergeant major.

Friendly rivalry

Among the cadets who were commissioned were 20-year-old triplets: Midshipman (MID) Lim Mingxia, a Navy Regular; and OCT Lim Mingyi and OCT Lim Mingjun from the Army.

The trio were in the same platoon during Basic Military Training and often joked that since they were triplets, they should be able - and ought - to keep up with each other during training.

Said MID Mingxia, the only one to sign on as a Regular: "I wanted to get involved in the defence of Singapore (in the areas of) deterrence and diplomacy. And the Navy allows me to do so through the custom of making port calls around the world."

The newly commissioned officers will go on to assume command, instructional or staff appointments in the SAF.

Also present at the parade were Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, senior Ministry of Defence officials and SAF officers.