Name one experience in National Service (NS) that you have found beneficial for your work at DSTA?
Throughout NS, I have seen firsthand how an organisation’s culture is shaped by the acceptance levels of its members’ behaviours. During the Battalion Tactics Course, I learnt from peers in the Special Operations Task Force that radical candour is a key ingredient for nurturing high performance teams. Nobody gets mauled for speaking up against bad ideas or practices. Every member of the unit, regardless of rank, has a strong sense of humility and constantly seeks to challenge their own assumptions against new and untested suggestions. This shapes how my team and I establish habits and approach challenges in our work at Digital Hub.
What is your favourite NS memory?
I had the opportunity to participate in tank platoon and combined arms live-firing manoeuvre exercises in Germany, Australia and Singapore. As an adrenaline junkie, I miss the rapid mission pace and sensory chaos of operating one’s own tank, while devising plans on the fly to outfox opposition units.
In your opinion, what is the importance of NS, especially against the backdrop of COVID-19?
NS during COVID-19 took many shapes and forms. Three of Singapore’s six pillars of Total Defence – military, civil and social – stood out prominently as our community sprang into action to help protect the vulnerable. It’s heartening to observe the NS spirit embodied in our collective grit to overcome challenges together.
Any words of encouragement for your fellow NSmen?
Serve not because we hate the enemy in front of us, but to defend our loved ones behind us.
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