There has been an age old debate about whether leaders are "born", or they are "made". Throughout my blog I have been a strong advocate that strong mentorship/leadership is vital to the success of the team and new associates. Here, I will share my story of my 30 mentors that taught me to be leader that I am today.
As with all journeys, they started "somewhere".
This is my story:
There are many "schools" where the traits of leadership can be learnt. Some as far back in school like being in the scouts, or the girl guides, but the story I shall tell is the school of leaderhip that for me spanned 15 years.
The School: SAF
The Teachers: The commanders and men of 673SIR Motar Platoon
The story begins with me being a wide eyed cadet in OCS, where "on-ness" is the bread and butter of the day, where we learn to keep our equipment and uniform squeaky and pristine, and sing merry songs in between marching everywhere. In a nutshell, let us just say that OCS trains excellent cadets. But good officers are another thing.
Of course OCS is like a laboratory where all the stimuli and outcomes are predictable.
15 years later, I dare say the only way that Officers are made is out in the field, leading the combat units.
Hence in this humbling lesson that I have learnt for myself, leading these 30 commanders and men that were placed in my care, to balance the needs of accomplishing the mission, and returning them safely to their family and loved ones has been my key task, and in this, I learnt from them what being a leader really is about.
Our journey started when we were 18, then, sons and brothers. Along the way, as my charges dated, got attached, then married, and now fathers, they have come full circle. Most of them, sons, brothers, husbands and fathers as I have come to become myself. Each step in that journey, my burden has become heavier. And yet, I see in them what is reflected in myself that they are here because they have chosen to be. Not compelled to by a letter stating their obligations to the state.
The beauty of this is that the system is purely voluntary. Why do I say this? Simply because the system, as with any system, will have loop holes. The ones who lacked the conviction in their duty have all since skivved, downgraded, and left the combat service, and yet, my commanders and men are still here with me, standing proud together, shoulder to shoulder in our MR parade today.
This comradre, and more importantly, the willingness of my commanders and men to take on this responsibility of defending their family, home and friends is my most humbling take away for me as their platoon commander. Many of them had the avenue and the means to get themselves out of this responsibility, and yet they did not.
For that I am proud to call them "my men". They may not be the fittest, the fastest, the smartest and driven of the whole SAF, but these soldier citizens I will never have second doubt should the day be come when I am called to lead them against the enemy where-ever they may be. These citizen soldiers, who are sons, fathers, brothers, husbands, and fathers. Each and every one of them a Titan. I am proud of them as any father would though most of them are older than myself. I will call them my Men/Man, anyday.
Words betray the depth of gratitude that has been my honour to have led these men through our missions over the last 15 years, they have given more than I can ever ask, and today, we all return to our families safe and sound, having done our duty, no more, no less.
My Commanders:-
Leonard, Han Seng and Joel whom can take command of any detachment in any order
Siang Meng and Chan Hong that can fill any gaps
Randy my principal fire fighter
Edwin who is a rock in the command post
Edwin Gan and Wee Kee who are no longer with us, are boulders in a storm and they were sorely missed
Alex Ho, the one whom I will never move out without, my platoon sergeant who taught me more about being a PC than any instructor in OCS.
My Men:-
Peter, Thomas Chai, Thomas Loo, in any other platoon they would have been commanders
Tai Kok Seng, Vincent, Woon, Fabian, Jeffery, Yap Chee Ming, Navin, Lee Soo How, Sum - All I have watched grow from boys into dependable men.
Ah Keng, who joined me to return to the field even when wearing his boots was close to impossible. Why? "Because the rest of the platoon is out there....."
My Peers in Support Coy:-
Andy, the OC that gave us the free reign and support to accomplish our missions
Alan and Samuel who keep me honest
Some might say that our efforts are futile, and that Singapore will never have to fight a war. I beg to differ. History is full of stories where the strong take advantage of the weak. It is precisely that any one who might want to pick a fight with us fears the tragic outcome that they never dare try.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with my men and the rest of the MR battalion of 673SIR, I feel humbled being a cog in a very big mechanism that together serves a higher purpose. This journey that has made me a man and a father too, has taught me the virtues of leadership that CANNOT be found in any book or classroom, but forged out in the sun, rain and mud, fighting hunger and the need to sleep, side by side with men that have become close as brotherse, and yet getting the job done with my platoon. Some people may ask why we do it. Honestly, it is all and only about the man beside you, and the family back home. To understand it though, you will have to have been there yourself.
Thus and therefore, good leaders are made through trials and tribulations, there are unfortunately no shortcuts.
673SIR, SP Coy, 120PL: Thank you for making the man, husband and father that I am today, and the leader that I am yet to fully become.
I pity the ones that might have to stand against you.
The poor bastards.
Best Regards,
Mervin Tang
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