Jasmine Yeo

I am glad to join the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) and found many like-minded people who wanted to do their part for national defence. It is a treasured opportunity to get to know and train with these individuals from varied backgrounds, brought together by a common purpose. Personally, knowing many people who have enjoyed their National Service (NS) experience, my husband being one of them, has helped and encouraged me to take the opportunity to experience what they have gone through.

It has been a really wonderful and eye-opening experience over the course of training. Being put in situations that stretched one's limits - mentally, physically and emotionally, or being tired, dirty and hungry - had a remarkable way of making us volunteers grow stronger and go further than we could imagine. The two weeks of Basic Training was really nothing compared to two years of what our male counterparts go through. My deepest respect goes out to our NSmen and including my husband for committing their two years and more, to protect this nation.

I am glad that I managed to meet SAFVC's selection criteria despite being petite. It was initially quite a struggle to keep up physically with the training such as handling the SAR21, but over time, I developed the strength to handle the weapon through progressive physical training. My biggest difficulty was adjusting to the regimental system. Ranks and military forms of address are uncommon to me and I am still getting accustomed to it.

It has been a very rewarding and memorable experience so far, training and learning with my fellow SAFVC Volunteers. I will also not forget the moments we spent together, singing, laughing and commiserating about bruises and aching bodies. I look forward to the next stage of training and carrying out my duties alongside our SAF counterparts.

Background information

Jasmine Yeo
Tour Executive
Panorama Tours (S) Pte Ltd
Singapore Citizen
SAFVC role: Auxiliary Security Trooper