Below is a sharing of a bit of the experience of my NS Journey thus far after my S1 ask a few of us from our company to write up our experience on our journey as an NSF for some army internet portal. As i wrote this write up, I actually thought back what an enjoyable, memorable NSF journey thus far, which is making me consider even more if i should extend a short term contract in the SAF before I continue my Full time calling into seminary in the future...
I still remember the day where I was just a fresh graduated from Temasek Design School, who aspire to serve full time in a church after he finish his 1 Year 10 months of national Service and was full of zeal to experience the whole army life.
I was enlisted in the national service on 13 July 2009, where I was posted to BMTC School 2, Leopard Company Platoon 2. And that was where my whole journey started.
After BMT, I was posted to the Officer’s Cadet School (OCS), as the 77/09 batch where I was posted to Tango Wing. The environment and regimentation here was of a much higher standard, where there were a lot of moments in my first 3 weeks confinement which I just felt like giving up.
Service term past after 3 mths and soon I was in my Professional Term where I was posted in the Signal Officer Cadet Course (SOCC) where we were trained to be Signals officers. We went through all kinds of mental and physical challenges over our journey, even having the chance to go for 2 overseas trip. In the end, I ended my course well and was given the Sword of Merit, which was something I never ever expected to get initially when I first step into OCS. Everyone here was great leaders in their various ways, but I personally believed the value of The Spirit of Excellence which I kept to since I step into BMT was where it got me today.
After 9 month, on 19 June 2010, we were commissioned by the President and became Officers of the SAF. Going through the grueling 9 months in OCS certainly has taught me a lot and molded my leadership and character as a person.
Right now as a junior officer, I’m currently posted as a platoon commander of signal specialist and men. Unit life sure is very different compared to the training school environment which I was use to in my first year as an NSF. As an officer one really has a lot more responsibility. One needs to take more initiative giving instructions, overseeing the operations, and looking after the welfare of your men. And like what it’s said in our Officer’s Creed, we are answerable to our men training, moral and discipline. At the end of the day, it is so different compared to a trainee life where most of the time we are just taking orders, right now its real people and operations that we are dealing with.
I cannot mention much about the operations that we do as a lot of it is classified, but I can say I’m really the fortunate few who get to experience real urban operations and go to places where one would never ever imagine being involved in as ac civilian. Aside from operations, as an officer you really get to work with all kind of people too from your various bosses, fellow platoon commanders, the specialist under you and the men which you train during their Unit Induction Programme (UIP).
Besides all the tough trainings and administrative things one need to do, there’s always the fun times as well when we are on standby during weekends in camp. We get to play games with our men, cooked food or just watch movies.
At the end of the day, the journey has certainly been fulfilling as a platoon commander. Besides operations and trainings, I believe the influence one has to his men as a platoon commander is so much more intrinsic than getting awards or bonuses. And the experience you get here in this time serving the nation full time is what I believe we will remember for life, so do treasure your time if your still serving the nation in this period of your life. What ever vocation or appointment we hold, I believe we will look back and still remember the experiences that we get in our 2 years in national service.
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