Widen your horizons through a naval career, which comes with many opportunities for career progression and lifelong learning.

By Cheryl Lim

After thirteen years with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), 2WO Ken Chong is still enjoying the dynamism of his career. The potential and possibilities which he saw as inherent in a military career years ago have surpassed his expectations.

“I studied Marine Engineering and felt that whatever I was going to do in the Navy would be very relevant to what I had studied,” says the Singapore Polytechnic alumnus. “Being in the Navy, I can also gain financial independence at an earlier age. It was a viable option for me then and it is no wonder that I’ve been here until now.”

However, Ken quickly learnt that a naval career is not just about operational duties and patrolling the seas. In 1997, his vessel was involved in the salvage mission of Silk Air Flight 185 in Palembang, Indonesia.

“The sight of the airplane debris floating on Musi River remains vivid in my mind. This deployment was during the early days of my career and it reminded me of how different this was compared to a desk-bound job,” Ken recounts. “It was also at this juncture that we realised we were there to help, and not just doing our jobs.”

Up the ranks
Ken's career in the Navy started onboard a naval ship, where he climbed the ranks and became the Chief Engineer onboard a Mine Counter-Measure Vessel.

“That was a defining moment for me,” says the 32-year-old. “As the Chief Engineer, my main duties were to maintain the operational readiness of the vessels, from rectifying defects to planning the maintenance of shipboard machinery. I was also responsible for training my shipboard engineering staff.”

Through regular training provided by the Navy, Ken has grown his skill sets and abilities to manage his extensive job scope. Besides attending combat training, Ken has also taken courses in public speaking and interpersonal relations. These have equipped him to host foreign delegates from all over the world during events such as the Western Pacific Mine Counter-Measure Conference.

“When you visit foreign ports and interact with foreign navies, you’re actually interacting with very experienced naval personnel who have much to share about their experiences with us. It is an invaluable experience to be representing Singapore when one is just in his or her 20s. This in itself distinguishes it from other jobs,” elaborates Ken, who has been to Tioman, Surabaya and Batam for overseas exercises.

The “people” factor
Four years ago, Ken was posted to the Navy Recruitment Centre, where he currently serves as a Recruitment Warrant. He manages recruitment for positions as diverse as combatants, divers, chefs, combat medics and also manages other Human Resource functions.

Now dealing with people instead of equipment, Ken acknowledges that his work is equally rewarding and challenging, if not more. “Seeing people that I’ve recruited moving on to have a good career in the Navy makes a difference to me,” he says.

Ken advocates a naval career, not simply because of his work as a Recruitment Warrant, but more so because of the Navy family culture. “The countless bonds fostered with ship crew, both past and present, have remained until this day. I believe working onboard a ship is distinctly different from the private sector. The family-like working relationship with colleagues makes the environment more fun,” he enthuses.

All for learning
For SSG Janet Ong, the prospect of financial security was also the main attraction of a naval career. That and, of course, a fully sponsored diploma education.

“I was interested in the Navy since 1999 when I was pursuing a diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. I did some research, asked friends, and I found out that the Navy offers sponsorships for diplomas,” she says.

Under the Joint Polytechnic-SAF Diploma Scheme, Janet not only received full sponsorship for her diploma education, but also a monthly allowance of $1,000 and a study bonus of $1,200 upon passing each semester.

After graduating in 2002, Janet embarked on a naval career as a Weapon & Electronics Specialist onboard RSS Endurance (an RSN Landing Ship Tank). Ensuring the smooth operations of all equipment that used electricity – from the main engine down to light bulbs – came under her purview.

Despite the challenges of being new as well as working in a predominantly male environment, Janet has emerged stronger and more capable – thanks to the guidance of seniors.

“Onboard ship, we work as a big family. We lived so close together that strong bonds are built,” she says. “It was quite tough onboard the Landing Ship Tank, as there were quite a lot of systems to learn. But I had my seniors, my chiefs and my officers who guided me along. It was a very good learning experience.”

Striving for more
The Navy believes in grooming their employees into leaders of tomorrow and provides opportunities for skills upgrading and lifelong learning. Janet’s experience is testament to that.

Three years into her job, Janet was eager to take on greater responsibilities at work and applied for the Petty Officer Course, a leadership course that saw her rise from a Junior Rating to a Petty Officer.

And in 2008, another door opened.

Janet applied for the Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme (CLASS), which provides full sponsorship for full- or part-time studies at MINDEF-approved institutions for outstanding specialists.

With her good track record and leadership potential, Janet clinched the award and is now a second-year Electrical & Electronics Engineering undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University.

“After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I thought of taking up a private degree to upgrade myself. However, I knew it would be tough to juggle part-time studies with work, so I had to defer that. But my wish eventually came true with the CLASS award,” says the 28-year-old, whose last appointment was a Leading Weapons & Electronics Specialist managing a team of five to six juniors onboard RSS Persistence (an RSN Landing Ship Tank).

Equipped with a degree and the upcoming changes to the Human Resource scheme to be launched next year, Janet looks forward to a bright future with the Navy when she returns in 2011.

Driven to excel
Given its heavy responsibility of protecting Singapore’s sea lines of communications, the Navy looks for candidates who have strong leadership qualities and interest in a military career.

“To excel in the Navy, one must be independent and driven. He must also be committed to the organisation”, affirms Ken. “I have done well in the Navy so far. The Navy has been good to me and I think it will be the same for anyone who puts his mind and soul into the career.”

“The Navy provides ample experiences and opportunities. You get to travel, work with different navies and learn about foreign cultures. It’s eye-opening and not like any nine-to-five job. I’ve experienced and gained so much here,” Janet concludes.