Featured Serviceman

My name is Eoin Sheehy. I was born in Hong Kong, but grew up in Singapore where I attended UWCSEA Dover and graduated in May of 2023. On the 4th of July 2023, I enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces. After completing my two months of Basic Military Training, I went to Officer Cadet School where I was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in June 2024.

Unlike many Singaporeans, I actually had the choice not to serve. Being an Irish National and only a Singaporean Permanent Resident, I had the choice to renounce my permanent residency  (like many of my friends have done before me) and move overseas without having to serve. However, after spending the last 18 years living, growing, and learning in Singapore, it has become the place I call home.

A few different factors went into my decision to serve:

1. Even though I was planning on going overseas to study and eventually work, serving would give me the opportunity to come back to live and work in Singapore if I ever decide to do so (this is not the case for people who renounce their permanent residency and leave).
2. I decided that serving in the military is a once in a lifetime opportunity where you can create unique memories and forge life-long friendships that will stick with you long after you are discharged, so why not do it for two years.
3. I felt serving would lead to a lot of personal growth and develop valuable qualities that would be helpful in the future.
4. As someone who wasn’t sure what they wanted to do after high school, it gave me time to think and explore different areas to get a better idea of what I wanted to pursue.

To someone going into national service, the biggest piece of advice I would give is to try your best, because it is what you make of it. If you are negative and see it as a waste of two years, that is exactly what it will be. However, if you put in effort, go in with an open mind, and attempt to make the most of it, I guarantee you will not regret it.

To someone in the position I was, deciding whether or not to serve, I recommend that you take your time with your decision. Talk to your family and loved ones, weigh the pros and cons, and make the decision that is right for you.

Feel free to reach out.