If you’re on the lookout for a career that guarantees you a promising ascend to success, look no further than the RSAF.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

In the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the pace of learning and development is inexorable. For Air Operations Systems Specialist (AOSS) Chen Huiling, gaining and applying the knowledge of operating various equipment is unique only to a career at the RSAF.

For the Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) alumnus, inspiration came in the distinctive form of a former polytechnic classmate who was an RSAF Warrant Officer in 2004. “She shared with me her story of what it’s like to be in the RSAF and her personal experiences, and that made me want to find out more about working there,” says Huiling.

“The recruitment drive in NYP made me understand more about AOSS and the complex job we have, having to work hand-in-hand in the controller-ATC (Authorised Training Centres) environment,” she adds.

As an AOSS, Huiling is primarily trained in operating, maintaining and servicing radars and sensor systems within the RSAF. Her job, she says, made her understand “the need and importance of (her) role to ensure that the Singapore airspace is safe”.

Two RSAF pilots share how their military careers have stretched their potential and brought out the leaders in them.

By Ruth Wong

It is not every day that one gets a “full-sized marching band, ministers and diplomats from across the country, and an RAAF F/A-18 flypast” for his graduation ceremony. Little wonder then that for Major Mark Lim, 33, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) was one of the most memorable milestones in his life.

Unique learning experiences
In fact, it was the “opportunity to experience learning in a different environment” that motivated the former Hwa Chong Junior College student to take up the SAF Academic Scholarship (Military). That learning experience was certainly a unique one, as ADFA – run jointly by the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force in conjunction with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) – offers military and leadership training, as well as degree programmes from UNSW. Through the Academy, Mark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering with First-Class Honours from UNSW.

Presently a fighter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Mark is also a Flight Commander, or Officer-in-Command (OC), of an operational unit. One of his key responsibilities is to ensure that the squadron is ready for operations at all times.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

For Staff Sergeant James Lim, “the sky’s the limit” is not just another over-churned aphorism to live by. His journey to the skies and beyond began after he completed his ‘O’ levels, when he spotted a recruitment advertisement by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), detailing a scheme which would subsidise his diploma education and provide monthly remuneration.

“I thought to myself then, since I am going to pursue a diploma, need some pocket money, and will work in a related field upon graduation – why not?” he recalls. “It’s like killing three birds with one stone.”

After graduating with a Diploma in Electronics and Computer Engineering in 2000, James dived headfirst into a career with the RSAF, finding an overlap between his field of study and job scope.

“I’m currently working on the F-16 radar system and it involves a lot of troubleshooting of electronic components,” he explains. “Modern-day diagnoses and troubleshooting involve usage of computers, so what I learnt in polytechnic is very much relevant to my current job.”