Featured Serviceman

My name is Aidan, and I graduated from high school in 2021. Afterwards, I enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces and completed two months of Basic Military Training. I was then selected to attend the Officer Cadet Course with the Singapore Police Force, where I continued training for another nine months. For the final year of my National Service (NS), I was posted to the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD), which handles licenses such as firearms, explosives, liquor, and public entertainment. My main responsibility was managing service requests related to these licenses while tracking key performance indicators to optimise service satisfaction.

Having grown up in Singapore, with two older brothers who had gone through NS, the thought of enlisting always lingered in the back of my mind. However, it was something I often brushed aside. It wasn’t until my peers began applying to universities and making post-high school plans that I realised my path would be different. 

Looking back, NS taught me a lot about handling difficult situations. The discipline I gained from regimentation still shapes my everyday life. Working in the PLRD also gave me a new perspective on law enforcement. Being placed in real-world situations where my responsibilities had a tangible impact helped me experience the professional world outside of school for the first time.

There were tough moments when life felt miserable, but reflecting on those moments now, I feel a sense of pride. What stands out most about NS are those uncomfortable experiences that taught me the most and brought me closer to the people around me. The camaraderie you build during NS is something unique. The friendships you make during those two years can become lifelong connections.

There are times when my friends and I even joke about missing NS. Surprisingly, we do miss the community we formed during those two years. The memories, both good and bad, stay with you. Now, a year and a half after completing NS, I can honestly say I’m grateful for the experience.

For those about to begin their NS journey, the best advice I can give is to go in with an open mind. As cliché as it sounds, what you put into the experience is what you’ll get from it. No doubt during NS you will wish that you were anywhere else, especially at the start, but maintaining a negative outlook will only make it harder. It’s not always easy, but when you’re physically and mentally exhausted, try to remind yourself that this is all temporary.