From cleaner to trainer
SWO Tamizh Kannan, 47
Joined the SAF in 1985 with two O-level passes, now 3rd Division Sergeant Major
For someone who once worked as a cleaner, his ascent to becoming a revered Division Sergeant Major in the Army has been remarkable.
Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) Kannan started working when he was in Secondary One. He had to help his father who was then struggling to earn a regular income as a cleaning contractor.
"My elder brother, two sisters and I would follow our father to clean the toilets, squash courts or some hotels from 7pm. We would go home at about 3 to 4 am to get some sleep before going to school," recalled SWO Kannan, who was the fourth among his eight siblings, and whose mum was a homemaker. "Our younger days were tough, studying while working I decided to join the Army to relieve the burden on my family.
Focus on soldiering skills
Undeterred by his lack of educational qualifications, SWO Kannan worked hard.
"I just focused on my job as a Guardsman and worked myself up," said SWO Kannan, who started off as a section commander holding the rank of Corporal in 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards (1 Gds).
After 12 years, he rose to the rank of 2WO on the back of a series of stellar achievements.
In 1992, he was the scout sergeant of 1 Gds, which became the first-ever Guards battalion to achieve REDCON (Readiness Condition) 1 - the highest grade a unit can attain in the annual Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) evaluation.
He shone even when he was up against the best around the word. The youngest-ever SAF warrant officer selected to attend the United States (US) Army Sergeant-Major Course in 1998, the then-31-year-old graduated with triple honours: Distinguished Honour Graduate, Outstanding International Military Student, and US Army Achievement award.
In 2003, as a Regimental Sergeant Major, he led 1 Gds to again achieve REDCON 1, as well as win the Best Combat Unit and Best Infantry Unit awards.
Hitting the books
It was only in 1997 when he became a warrant officer that SWO Kannan thought about studying again. "Since I had attained my professional competencies as a soldier in my first 12 years in the SAF, I thought it was time," he recalled.
But his first attempt was short-lived. When he was doing his part-time certificate course in business and commerce at Nanyang Polytechnic under SAF sponsorship, he dropped out after only two weeks.
"I couldn't cope because I was in a new job then as a platoon commander in SISPEC," said SWO Kannan, referring to his appointment in the former School of Infantry Specialists (now known as Specialist Cadet School).
"I started my new appointment and studies together; two at one go. That was a wrong decision, I was overly ambitious.
"But after my first failure, I made sure I settled down into my appointment before studying again."
Three years later, in his second attempt, he obtained the certificate and has not looked back since. He went on to obtain a Diploma in Business Management at Nanyang Polytechnic, and a Degree in Human Resource Management at UniSIM.
Admitting that he was not good in studying, SWO Kannan said what pushed him on was his wife's unwavering support, and his never-say-die attitude.
Even then, hitting the books was no easy task. Comparing it to staying awake and fighting through consecutive days out in the field, the father of two said he found the books to be much tougher.
SWO Kannan was quick to point out that his academic pursuit was not a blind paper chase.
"I could get more credit exemptions if I continued with business studies. But it was okay, I wasn't in a paper chase. In fact, where I am now is not because of my qualifications."
"I switched to studying Human Resource because it could help me in my job in managing people and training," said the former Chief Master Trainer of the Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute.
Over the years, having discovered his strength and interest in training, he continued to develop himself in this area by obtaining a Specialist Diploma in Learning Science at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in 2011. His long-term goal is to obtain a Master's degree.
One of the jobs specialists and warrant officers take on is training, so they must keep up with the latest training methods, explained SWO Kannan. "I have to keep in touch with the outside world. I cannot have these younger soldiers coming in and I'm still using the chalkboard to teach."
Defining moments
His greatest career highlight came this year when he was one of the first three warrant officers selected to attend the Command and Staff Course (Executive) at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College. This course was previously designed for commissioned officers earmarked for higher command appointments.
Reflecting on his 29-year-long journey in the SAF so far, SWO Kannan said: "Life is rosy and beautiful, compared to 35 years ago. I am indebted to the SAF for what they have given me. My hard work has paid off. I have no complaints."
"Concentrate and establish your professional competency as a soldier first, then decide at which stage of your career you want to upgrade. But don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading, it's not a paper chase."
- SWO Kannan's advice for younger servicemen
LTC Lee on an M3G military gloat bridge. He went to Germany in 2006 to learn about its operation.
Unexpected commander
LTC Derrick Lee, 38
Joined the SAF with a diploma in 1996, now Head, General Staff, HQSCE
When he joined the SAF, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lee never expected to become a Commanding Officer (CO). He had thought that a diploma holder would not stand a chance.
"I didn't dream about it. You wouldn't expect a diploma holder to be a CO when there are so many degree holders around," said LTC Lee, who has a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
But his senior commanders believed he had what it took, and made him the CO of 35th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (35 SCE) in 2011. And he proved them right by leading his battalion to win the Best Combat Engineer Unit awards in 2012 and 2013.
The road less travelled
LTC Lee, currently Head of General Staff in Headquarters Singapore Combat Engineers (HQSCE), could have chosen a more conventional path. When he finished his three-year contract and decided to stay on in the SAF, his superior recommended him for an overseas study scholarship.
However, he decided to defer his studies and take up other opportunities such as overseas training stints. This included the US Army Engineers Captains Career Course that trains officers to be company commanders.
"I am not a graduate, but this course gave me the chance to study overseas and experience what it is like to be on your own," said LTC Lee, who was one of the top trainees in the nine-month course.
He also went to Germany for a month in 2006 to learn about the M3G military float bridge, an asset which the SAF was acquiring then. The avid outdoor adventurer also enjoys the confidence courses offered by the SAF.
Just last year, he got his diving badge.
"I am still having fun, although my wife did warn that I am no longer young," the 38-year-old father of two chuckled. "But this is what I joined the Army for - adventure."
Two years ago, LTC Lee completed a Business degree at UniSIM under the SAF Continuing Education (CE) programme, where part of the credits earned during his Command and Staff Course were counted toward his degree requirement.
"It was more for personal development. I got promoted to LTC before completing the degree, so the studies didn't really make a difference... if you do well in your work, you will be recognised."
ME4-1 Tay feels that there are equal learning opportunities to be found both in and out of the classroom.
Practical learner
ME4-1 Tay Feng Juan, 33
Joined the SAF with a diploma in 2002, now a Lead Engineer in Naval Logistics Department
Military Expert (ME) 4-1 Tay's journey in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has taken her through deployments in war-torn Iraq to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Aceh. And the 35-year-old has thrived on meeting and overcoming the challenges she faced.
It was from such operational deployments at sea that ME4-1 Tay felt she learnt the most, as she and her team had to do their best in an environment whichleft no room for mistakes.
"Unforeseen challenges would arise and we had to adapt and respond to them immediately," said ME4-1 Tay, who joined the SAF as a specialist in 2002 with a Diploma in Automation & Mechatronic Systems from Ngee Ann Polytechnic through the Joint Polytechnic-SAF Diploma Scheme.
She fondly recalls her many deployments as a weapon electrical specialist on board Landing Ship Tank (LST) RSS Endurance.
"We were deployed within 48 hours (of the Boxing Day Tsunami)," said ME4-1 Tay of Operation Flying Eagle, the SAF's disaster relief effort in response tothe 2004 tsunami.
"Of course, I would have liked to spend New Year with my family, but we were setting sail with the mindset of helping others. It truly was a very different experience, and one that I will never forget."
She also participated in Operation Blue Orchid in 2003, which took her to the waters off Iraq for about three months protecting key Iraqi oil platforms."The experience was very different from that of HADR missions," said ME4-1 Tay. "(Everything was new and unknown then) as it was the very first time that the SAF was deployed to Iraq, and we were unsure of what was going to happen."
That being said, she and the crew of the RSS Endurance faced uncertainty head on, and such tenacity was what characterised her 12 years with the RSN.
Her biggest takeaways have been the practical skills and knowledge she gained from these operations, as well as the valuable leadership skills shedeveloped through the years.
"As you rise up in appointment, more people are placed under your charge. I feel that as you teach and mentor them, you yourself gain a lot," she said.
Recognising her all-round abilities, the Navy offered her an opportunity to become a Senior Military Expert. She was first awarded a scholarship to obtain a degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) in 2010.
"I felt that I had built up sufficient technical knowledge from my operations in the Navy, so I wanted to gain a better theoretical understanding," said ME4-1 Tay.
After completing her studies in 2013, she attended the Military Domain Experts Course (MDEC) and excelled. "It was one of my proudest moments when I graduated as the best trainee during the first phase of MDEC."
ME4A Sandeep who maintains the F-16 jet engines, is on his way to becoming a Senior Military Expert.
Late bloomer technician
ME4A Sandeep Singh, 27
Joined SAF with National ITE Certificate (NITEC) in 2006,
now Air Force Engineer, RSAF
He was a Normal (Technical) student who climbed the academic ladder slowly but surely. ME4 (Apprentice) Sandeep is now a mechanical engineering undergraduate at the Nanyang Technological University.
"I was a late bloomer, that's why I took a different path," quipped ME4A Sandeep, who joined the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) as an F-16 senior technician in 2006.
His inspiration came from his father. "My dad has only Primary Six education and earns $700 a month as a delivery driver. The kind of struggle he went through to bring up the family wasn't easy If I didn't work hard and make him proud, I would be upset."
ME4A Sandeep did well in ITE and got a place in Ngee Ann Polytechnic where he took up the Joint Polytechnic-SAF Diploma Scheme. He graduated among the top five percent of his cohort in the mechanical engineering diploma course.
Solid grounding
After completing the RSAF senior technician course where he emerged as the best trainee, ME4A Sandeep started on-the-job training at Tengah Air Base. He also clocked valuable hands-on experience when he went for a two-year deployment in Arizona, US. At the RSAF's Peace Carvin II detachment, he got to work with and learn from his counterparts from the US Air Force.
Midway through his deployment, he decided to try out management work and to further his studies. "I sat in for meetings, and saw how the officers looked at the big picture, made critical decisions and planned for the long run. I thought that this was interesting and challenging," he said.
At the age of 26, he went for the MDEC. Being one of the older guys with ground experience, he was often seen as a mentor by his younger course mates who were fresh out of junior college."I would draw a picture of a flight line to explain how things are done on the ground, give them scenarios and share how I used to do this and that," recalled
ME4A Sandeep, who received a certificate of merit for his MDEC.
Being one who believes in paying it forward, he asked to join the Air Force Recruitment Centre earlier this year before starting his university studies under an SAF sponsorship. He wanted to share his story with recruits at career talks.
"I thought that, with my background as a Normal (Technical) and ITE student, I should go out there to let them know that there are many ways to upgrade yourself here and that such sponsorships exist. I am a living example of someone who has made it this far in the Air Force, and I believe my message has opened up their minds and inspired them," he said.
LTC Nasir's diverse experience in the SAF ranges from setting up a transport hub to managing medic training.
Versatile leader
LTC Abdul Nasir, 46
Joined the SAF with a diploma in 1989,
now Head, Medics Training Centre
Enlisting into the SAF in 1989 and going on to become a Platoon Commander in the 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards, LTC Nasir could never have imagined what lay in store for him over his next 25 years in the Army.
The interest and passion in the military that drove him to sign on led him through a whole range of postings, from combat to logistics to military medicine.
It may seem odd as this has no relation to his combat training as a Guards officer or his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. In his current posting as Head, Medics Training Centre, LTC Nasir has had to adapt and learn as he was not a trained medic. But his versatility shone through.
"It was in 1996 that I was presented with the option to cross over to the field of logistics," recalled LTC Nasir. "I took on the opportunity because I felt that it would be a great learning experience."
One of the toughest challenges he faced was in 2006, when he was tasked with the creation of Transport Hub (East) to provide military transport to all units residing in the eastern part of Singapore. Despite having a tight deadline and only four men on his team, the resourceful officer successfully set up the Hub, which comprises about 700 personnel.
His expertise in logistics has also been put to the test in various overseas deployments, such as Operation Flying Eagle in 2004. He was also part of the teams sent to Padang, Indonesia, in response to the 2009 Sumatra earthquake.
Aside from these operational experiences, LTC Nasir took part in the United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Logistics Course in 2000, and the United Nations Deployed Operations & Logistics course in Canada in 2005. He also deepened his knowledge in the Command and Staff Course at the Singapore Command and Staff College (now the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College) in 2003.
He believes that joining the SAF without high paper qualifications does not pose a disadvantage, saying: "As I proved myself, I was given more opportunities, such as my three-month stint in the United Kingdom, which was a great chance to learn from and interact with foreign military personnel."
That said, LTC Nasir still holds himself to very high standards, aiming to improve himself by pursuing a degree in the near future. "I want to show my three children that I still continue to learn and that the learning journey should not end."
SWO Ong gave up the chance to be an officer as he loves to be on the ground with his men.
Natural born naval diver
SWO Ong Siang Thai, 47
Joined the SAF with two A-level passes in 1986, now Master Chief of NDU
He has never attended Officer Cadet School (OCS) but in 2010, the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) made SWO Ong a mission leader - a detachment commander role usually held by an officer of Captain rank. And the veteran naval diver took to it like a fish to water.
"I believe it's because of the vast ground experience that I have," said SWO Ong. "It's not new to me. I understand the whole spectrum of the requirements of a mission leader."
In fact, SWO Ong was offered a chance to attend OCS when he was a young Corporal First Class. He had the necessary academic credentials - an A-level certificate, albeit with only two subject passes. But he declined the opportunity. "I am a ground man who enjoys training together with the boys in my team."
The first 10 years or so were the most enjoyable of his career. He got to develop his expertise through the SAF Ranger course and US Navy Seal course. "I like to dive, kick doors down and shoot bad guys," he chuckled.
He was also deployed in several operations, one of which was the massive salvage operation of SilkAir Flight MI 185 in Indonesia's Musi River in December 1997. Recalling his experience, SWO Ong said: "It was a huge operation.
We needed all our divers to go, even our NSF (full-time national servicemen) divers. It was challenging; we had to counsel them as what we found were body parts."
Now as a Master Chief, he spends most of his time in the office and mentoring young divers, even though he secretly yearns to take part in more operations. "I would love to go for counter-piracy operations such as Operation Blue Sapphire but these are for the younger people," he mused.
His learning journey continues today. He is currently one of three warrant officers undergoing the Command and Staff Course (Executive). Coming from a humble background, he is grateful for such opportunities. During his school days, he had to work as a hawker assistant which affected his studies. He felt lost after doing poorly in his A levels as a private candidate. It was only when he was serving his full-time NS as a commando that he found his direction in life.
"I liked what I was doing as a commando, and I loved to swim and dive. Back then, the NDU was newly formed so I thought there were great opportunities.
As I look back, I think I really made the right choice."
