You hear stories about sisters supporting their brothers through National Service. But what about a brother supporting his sister through military training?
When Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) Volunteer (Trainee) [SV(T)] Siti Khairunessa bte Abdul Kadir signed up for the role, her younger brother became her biggest cheerleader.
"We talked on the phone every night (while I was undergoing the two-week Basic Training) and he would tell me, 'It's OK, you can do it'," she said of her Operationally-ready National Serviceman (NSman) brother, who is an infantry officer. "He gives me advice because it's something he has gone through. He told me to take the training as it comes, do my best, and enjoy myself," she added.
SV(T) Khairunessa, 30, revealed that joining the SAF also gave her a greater appreciation for what her brother had to go through to become an officer. "Before this, I did not even know that he was an officer. But now, I know that it's something very significant. He inspires me to do so much more, not just in the military but in everything I pursue too,"she said proudly.
SV(T) Khairunessa was one of 226 SAFVC Volunteers (SVs) who were presented their service berets by Reviewing Officer, Commander SAFVC Colonel (COL) Mike Tan, at the Beret Presentation Parade on 27 Jun. Held at Maju Camp, the parade marked the conclusion of Basic Training for the SAFVC's inaugural cohort and is an important milestone for the corps, which began its recruitment on 13 Oct 2014.
This year, a total of three intakes enlisted. The first and third intakes underwent the continuous two-week course from 24 Mar to 4 Apr, and 15 to 26 Jun respectively, while the second batch underwent the modular course over a series of weekends from 11 Apr to 14 Jun.
Speaking after the parade, Guest-of-Honour Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Minister of State for Defence, said it was "very heartening to see the level of enthusiasm (and) the passion that they had, to want to serve and support NS."
"It was very encouraging to see Singaporeans and PRs from all walks of life coming together. I was very proud to see each and every one of them singing the national anthem, and I think that shows the amount of pride and seriousness that they put into this whole effort of being a volunteer in the SAF," he said of the SVs.
Like SV(T) Khairunessa, undergoing the training also gave SV(T) Philip Christian Paul Von Meyenburg newfound respect for SAF soldiers. He said: "You may hear certain things (about the military) through movies or hearsay, but when you re actually in it, you realise that it s a bit more real: the sun is hotter, the field pack is heavier, and the reverberation of the SAR 21, stronger. I will look differently at the men and women in uniform, as well as NSmen, because they go through a lot of tough stuff (to become soldiers)."
The 37-year-old Switzerland-born Permanent Resident (PR), who will train to become an Auxiliary Security Trooper, has been living in Singapore for eight years and is married to a Singaporean. He expressed hope that his experience as an SV will deepen his friendships in Singapore. He said: "A lot of my friends here are NSmen, and some are Regulars. Being able to talk to them, I also feel a lot closer to them."
Support from the community
Dr Maliki also thanked the families and employers of the SVs who had attended the parade, saying: "Without the support of community members like the families, the volunteers themselves would not be able to perform their function as part of the Volunteer Corps. Everyone has a role to play in defence."
SV(T) Khairunessa was one such SV who was especially grateful to have her employer s support. Ms Elizabeth Cowle, General Manager of International Medical Clinic, was quick to give the registered nurse her blessings when she learnt of her desire to join the SAFVC. She even re-arranged her work schedule so that she could witness SV(T) Khairunessa s Beret Presentation Parade.
"It's commendable that somebody wants to support their country and defend it. It's meaningful for her and she was really passionate about wanting to do this," said Ms Cowle, an expatriate from Australia. She added that SV(T) Khairunessa, who will be joining the Army as a Medical Nurse, had the full support of her colleagues and added: "I'm very proud of her. I know it was very arduous, but she s accomplished something really outstanding."
Echoing Dr Maliki s sentiments, SV(T) Chen Chang agreed that family support was essential in his completing the Basic Training. The 45-year-old Principal Member of Technical Staff from DSO National Laboratories, who came to Singapore from China in 1994 and became a citizen in 2001, underwent the modular training, which took up most of his weekends.
He expressed his appreciation for his wife and son for standing by him. "It affected my time with my family, but my wife and son supported me all the way without a single complaint. They encouraged me, especially my son, who would do PT (physical training) together with me," he said, adding that he hoped to be a role model for his 15-year-old son when he enters NS.
As an Auxiliary Security Trooper, he is looking forward to working with NSmen as well. He said: "My colleagues have all gone through NS and ICT (in-camp training). They always have interesting stories to share with me. Now I will be able to experience it too. It makes me feel closer to not just my colleagues, but all the Singaporeans that I know."
Like SV(T) Chen, SV(T) Ramakrishna Maruvada also hopes to set a good example for his sons when it is their time to serve NS. "I have three boys (a six-year-old and twins aged four), and I thought that I should experience what they would be undergoing when they turn 18. Now we will have some shared experiences to talk about, as well as my own challenges (in training)," said the 40-year-old from India, who became a Singapore citizen last year.
The Director of Daiwa Capital Markets Singapore, who will be joining the Air Force as a Command Control, Communications and Computers (C4) Expert, expressed his admiration for his commanders and trainers. "I learnt about leadership by example when I witnessed COL Tan doing the Battle Inoculation Course before us. He would also come into the camp late on a Sunday and at odd hours. The trainers would also eat after all the trainees had eaten, and wake up before we did. The leadership comes right from the top," he explained.
He was also grateful to Sergeant Major Senior Warrant Officer Ho Kian Lee for his words of encouragement: "He told us we had come (to the SAFVC) on our own volition, but we needed the discipline to get through it. Whenever I found the training quite hard, I would remind myself of that, and find the discipline to get through it. His passion to teach is unrivalled."