Hitting the high notes

Actions
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/wcm/connect/pioneer/02ac3323-edbf-435f-a5ee-a999d99d4edb/jun19_backpage2.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-02ac3323-edbf-435f-a5ee-a999d99d4edb-mIbDpsP /web/wcm/connect/pioneer/02ac3323-edbf-435f-a5ee-a999d99d4edb/jun19_backpage2.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-02ac3323-edbf-435f-a5ee-a999d99d4edb-mIbDpsP /web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/people/2019-Q2/jun19_backpage1
/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/people/2019-Q2/jun19_backpage1
jun19_backpage1
31 May 2019 | PEOPLE

Hitting the high notes

// STORY Francis Kan / PHOTO Mark Teo

// STYLING Mei-Z / HAIR & MAKEUP LEny Fu from Paletteinc 

// OUTFIT Jacket from Spoilmarket Haji Lane, Knit Top from Esprit, Pants & Necklace from Crayon Haji Lane

English 华文
ME1 Geraldine Tan, 21
Air Force Engineer, 817 SQN

After attending a recruitment talk while studying at Singapore Polytechnic, Military Expert (ME) 1 Geraldine Tan was inspired by the servicewomen in the Singapore Armed Forces who had spoken about thriving in a male-dominated environment.

"What they shared made me feel like we are able to achieve what the guys can do too," said ME1 Tan. This inspiration, coupled with a penchant for the outdoors, led to her joining the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

In the year since she was posted to her current unit, 817 Squadron (SQN), she has been learning the ins-and-outs of maintaining F-15SG fighter jet engines to ensure that the planes are in tip-top condition.

When she's not fine-tuning aircraft engines, ME1 Tan spends her free time helping out at her family's kway chap stall, trying out hawker food around the island, or belting out her favourite tunes at karaoke sessions with friends.

"Singing is my favourite pastime and I can sing anywhere, but the KTV is the place where I can sing my heart out. I go about twice a month," she reveals. "My favourite singers are Show Lo and Jolin Tsai because their songs are really relatable to me."  

Suggested Reading
Behind the RSAF's static display at S'pore Airshow 2024 Feature
Behind the RSAF's static display at S'pore Airshow 2024
COMMUNITY
20-Feb-24

Get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the challenging overnight towing operation as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) prepares for its static display at the Singapore Airshow 2024!

RSAF soars into S'pore Airshow 2024 Feature
RSAF soars into S'pore Airshow 2024
COMMUNITY
18-Feb-24

The RSAF returns to wow the public at Asia's most influential airshow.

Stepping up as senior military experts
Stepping up as senior military experts
PEOPLE
26-Jan-24

Why did they make a change and become military experts in the SAF? ME4 Nabilah Atiqah and ME4 Kishore share what inspired them in their journeys.

The Air Force makes me feel alive: ME6 Sathananthar
The Air Force makes me feel alive: ME6 Sathananthar
PEOPLE
28-Nov-23

It's no surprise that ME6 Sathananthar Suresh loves serving in the RSAF. Find out why he's been in the air force for 28 years and what keeps him going.

Brothers in arms at Ex Forging Sabre
Brothers in arms at Ex Forging Sabre
PEOPLE
05-Oct-23

Brothers ME3 Yew Boon Leng and ME2 Yew Boon Siong reunited at the exercise for the first time in nine months after being deployed in the US.

Fighting smarter, harder at Exercise Forging Sabre
Cover story
Fighting smarter, harder at Exercise Forging Sabre
OPS & TRAINING
23-Sep-23

It's an attack from all sides.

Helicopter parent
Cover story
Helicopter parent
PEOPLE
08-Sep-23

To his trainees, he's like a father showing them the way. For ME3 Anthony Gilbert – who's saved lives and flown the Singapore flag high at NDP in his 42-year career – it's all about helping young flight engineers find meaning in their work.

Fighter jet scramble; helicopter troop insertion at RSAF55 Open House Feature
Fighter jet scramble; helicopter troop insertion at RSAF55 Open House
COMMUNITY
05-Sep-23

Hear the roar of fighter jets and feel the heat of their engines at the RSAF55 Open House aerial capability display!

RSAF55 Open House set to wow visitors with capability display & new interactive webapp
Cover story
RSAF55 Open House set to wow visitors with capability display & new interactive webapp
MILESTONES
15-Aug-23

An action-packed aerial capability display, static displays of 18 assets, and a new interactive webapp – here’s what RSAF55 Open House has in store for visitors.

A good serve Feature
A good serve
PEOPLE
07-Jul-23

She used to serve on the volleyball court. Now, she's serving in the Air Force and loving it.