Dedication To Serve - CPT (NS) Kane Ong
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| Nov 17, 2020, 2:29:09 PM GMT+8
I am CPT (NS) Ong Koon Poh Kane, from 18 DA Bn. My last appointment in service was the Battalion HQ Operations Officer, and I have been an active member of the SAF Veterans League since 2018. I am also part of the Commitment to Defence (C2D) Ambassadors Programme, where I regularly engage students and Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) on my experience as an NSman. After completing my Operationally Ready National Service journey officially, I chose to embark on the Reservist on Voluntary Extended Reserve Service (ROVERS) scheme to serve beyond my official term, and my ROVERS term recently ended.
I enlisted in June 2003. I still remember celebrating my birthday that year with a heavy heart, knowing that I will be enlisting in a few days’ time. The thought of National Service back then was discomforting to me, and I worried about the physical training that would come with me.
However, I never would have expected my perspective about National Service to change so completely. The regimental discipline, demanding physical training, and harsh confinement away from civilisation; gave me a whole new perspective about life and responsibility. Rather than to succumb myself to self-impairment, I gave myself a chance to reach further. Reach to exceed self-expectations, reach to improve beyond my peers, and reach to be a better man for myself.