Chen Qinghan

Singapore has provided my family with a good life, and it is a country that upholds meritocracy, as well as racial and religious harmony. For our lives to continue as we know it, we need to maintain national security. Singapore is a small nation compared to many others and we cannot afford to take the peace and prosperity that we enjoy for granted. I have always believed in the importance of having a citizen army for our national defence, and the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) provided a wonderful opportunity for me to do my small part.

The training was physically and mentally demanding, and often pushed me to my limits. It made me understand that military training is not just about physical fitness, but also about mental toughness and the ability to work under stress and fatigue. I am finally able to understand the “army talk” that my male friends always engage in! The training experience has definitely helped me better appreciate what our NSmen go through for the security of our nation.

The Basic Training, Qualification Training and Advanced Training we underwent were all very well-structured. Thanks to the careful planning of our commanders and trainers, we were able to maximise the time we had, to achieve all our learning objectives and equip ourselves with the skills necessary for our deployment.

During my initial deployment, we had to familiarise ourselves with the life on board the ship and the ship routine, and also build our proficiency in performing the bridge lookout duties. It was an eye opening experience to see our servicemen and servicewomen carrying out their duties with precision and discipline, and see first-hand the hard work it takes to protect Singapore and her waters.

Spending a few weeks away from office was a key concern for me. I think especially for private sector employees, there is a concern that the workplace may view it as an unnecessary inconvenience. Contrary to my initial concerns, my bosses not only promptly gave their approval but also expressed their support of my decision to volunteer.

My husband, an Officer of the SAF and an NSman, was also very supportive of my decision to join the SAFVC. In fact, he gave me many useful tips such as using powder for the field camp training to prevent heat rash. My parents were likewise happy that I volunteered, knowing that I wanted to play my part to safeguard the prevailing peace and security in Singapore.

I would like to thank my family, company and colleagues for their support. Having the support of the important people around me gave me the peace of mind to concentrate on my training.

Background information

Chen Qinghan
Senior Investment Analyst
The Tecity Group
Singapore Citizen
SAFVC role: Bridge Watchkeeper