As siblings, PTE Daryl Ong Kai Jun and PTE Shermaine Ong Shi Min grew up, played together and recently, survived Basic Military Training (BMT) together.

Since young, PTE Shermaine and PTE Daryl have always been rather close, attending swimming and academic classes together. As they grew older, like many siblings, they started pursuing individual interests and eventually spent less time with each other. "As we did not have much in common, we gradually started taking part in different courses and activities," shared PTE Shermaine.

PTE Shermaine Ong (left) and PTE Daryl Ong (right) when they were young.

However, this all changed when they realised that they would be enlisting into BMT together after PTE Shermaine chose to sign on under the influence of her granduncle and aunt. "I decided to join the Army mainly due to my granduncle, BG (Ret) Goh Kee Nguan, who used to serve as Chief Guards Officer. He often shared his experiences with us during family gatherings. I also have my aunt, who is a Signals officer in the Army, to thank for sharing her experiences serving as a female in the Army with me!" 

Happy that both PTE Shermaine and PTE Daryl decided to join the SAF, their granduncle is confident they will be able to do well. "I am very proud of both of them and believe they will do well with their passion and positive attitude. I wish them all the best!"

Being influenced by her granduncle (second from right), PTE Shermaine Ong decided to join the Army.

Excited that they would be going through BMT together, the pair of siblings began to train and do static workouts together to improve their stamina and prepare themselves for enlistment. 

Mutually supporting each other throughout their training at Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC), PTE Daryl shares how having his sister around spurred him on. "Seeing my sister around was a form of encouragement, and motivated me to keep pushing myself despite the tough training." 

Even after they book out, PTE Daryl and PTE Shermaine continues sharing training tips with each other to further improve themselves. "During weekends, we will guide each other and help improve the things that we are weaker at. For example, since Shermaine is better at leading a team, she will teach me ways to improve my leadership skills. Meanwhile, since I am better at hands-on activities and drills, I guide her in that aspect."

Closely knitted family: PTE Daryl Ong and PTE Shermaine Ong (centre, top row) both finds it heartening to have gone through BMT together.

Having gone through the tough training at BMTC together, PTE Shermaine finds it heartening that she is able to experience the BMT life together with someone close to her. "Knowing that I endured the tough training and eventually made it to the finishing line together with my brother is especially heart-warming." PTE Daryl echoed similar sentiments, "having someone go through the same thing as you and being able to talk about it helped to strengthen the bonds between us."

After weeks of training together, PTE Daryl had this to say to his sister, "I hope she can complete her course at Officer Cadet School (OCS), moving further in life and at the end of the day, achieve what she wants to." For PTE Shermaine, she would like to congratulate her brother for completing his BMT and believes he will be able to achieve what he has set himself out for. "I am proud of what he has achieved so far and I'm sure that he will be able to enter the vocation he yearns for with his determination. If he faces any difficulties along the way, I'm sure he will be able to overcome it with the right attitude and mindset."

We look forward to them contributing to the SAF!

Written by: LCP Steve Lee (Army News), with photos contributed by the interviewees.