Featured Serviceman

My name is Sher-Shah Madni, I’m 19 years old, originally from Pakistan, but I moved to Singapore when I was just six months old. I grew up studying as an international student at the United World College of South East Asia. Currently, I’m in my second year of National Service as a Combat Medic, serving in the 8th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (8SIR).

My National Service experience has been challenging, but it has also been more rewarding than I ever expected. To summarize my journey: I began with 9 weeks of Basic Military Training (BMT) in an enhanced intake on Tekong. Afterwards, I was posted as a Combat Medic and underwent 12 weeks of specialized training at Nee Soon Camp. During this time, I earned the honour of being named the Company's Best Medic for my cohort. Following that, I had the opportunity to work as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for 6 months, as part of the attachment “PROJECT SERVE”, posted to Alexandra Fire Station. After completing my attachment, I was posted to 8SIR, where I am now completing the final 10 months of my service.

As I was finishing my attachment, it marked the one-year anniversary of my enlistment into National Service. Reflecting on this year, I realized I had achieved, experienced, and learned more than I ever imagined possible in my entire service, let alone just the first year. The first 6 months of training and specializing as an army medic were invaluable, especially since I plan to pursue a career in medicine after NS. The next 6 months, of working as an EMT, provided me with real-world experience and life lessons that will stay with me throughout my healthcare career. Attending to 378 ambulance calls during my attachment, you can just imagine the things I learned and the skills I gained. While talking to friends who went straight to university and medical school, I realized they hadn’t encountered even a fraction of what I had—cases ranging from cardiac arrests to suicides and stabbings. The same friends I once envied for starting medical school ahead of me, were now envious of me, although, on the flip side, I had a fraction of their knowledge. Weirdly ironic right? That is just how NS is, it's a rollercoaster of emotions, reactions and feelings.

I was born in Australia and hold Australian citizenship, so my decision to serve in National Service in Singapore was driven entirely by personal and familial reasons rather than birthright legal obligation. It wasn’t until just a few years ago, that my family started going through the process of becoming Singaporean citizens, and my older brother and I realized we would both be serving NS. As you can imagine, it was a tough pill to swallow—any plans I had for my future studies and life were suddenly put on hold by this unexpected two-year commitment. Because of these circumstances, in the lead-up to my enlistment, I was filled with feelings of dread, resentment, and anxiety. I’ll be the first to admit that I went into NS with a pretty negative mindset.

However, like my brother, who has now already completed his service, I soon realized there was much to gain from this experience—perhaps even more than my brother. During Basic Military Training, I felt a noticeable shift in my attitude, fitness, and resilience, which empowered me and motivated me to give my best during training. This drive only grew stronger when I entered medic training, where I was ultimately awarded Best Medic. Hate it or love it, I know NS has made me a better person…

Training was one of the toughest experiences of my life, and there’s no sugar-coating the fact that there will be moments when you feel like giving up. There will be days when time seems to stand still, your routine feels suffocatingly repetitive, and you can’t help but think about your peers who are pursuing other paths instead of serving. For those about to begin your National Service, understand that there is so much to gain from this journey. Whether it’s increased maturity, resilience, practical skills, or lifelong friendships, there’s something valuable for everyone. My advice is to try to maintain a positive attitude through it all. Because: you can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. Once you learn to go with the flow and tackle each challenge head-on, you’ll find that time flies by.