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Soldier at heart
PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
AS A young student fresh out of Raffles Junior College, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Martin Koh was instantly attracted to the overseas study opportunities the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Merit Scholarship offered.
After being commissioned as an Officer in 1996, he embarked on his scholarship journey, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with honours from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
He has also attained a Master of Philosophy in Economics from Cambridge University and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, London.
At 21, mid-way through his undergraduate studies, his life took a turning point – he was inspired by the book Struggle For Success, which made him question how he could make a difference with the scholarship he had been given.
LTC Koh says: "I wanted to move beyond thinking that I was bonded, and considering my scholarship as just an overseas study opportunity. I decided that it was important not to deprive someone else of this opportunity and I started to question how I could really make a difference."
For LTC Koh, his career in the SAF has been more aptly described as a profession of arms, with his current appointment as Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (5 SIR) bearing special significance.
As the Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion, LTC Koh commands three infantry rifle companies. He took on his current appointment in August last year and oversees the training of his first batch of recruits who commenced their full-time National Service stint in December 2008. He hopes to see this batch of trainees through to their operationally ready date in December 2010.
As Commanding Officer, LTC Koh does not have a typical work routine. He divides his time between the training programmes of the soldiers and his other military duties.
"As Commanding Officer of the battalion, my primary responsibility is training, management and the welfare of the unit. I try to be on the ground as much as I can with the soldiers for training," says the 32-year-old.
"In addition to managing the battalion, I scrutinise the systems we have in place, find ways to improve them where necessary. This includes manpower, operations and logistics issues."
The first thing that LTC Koh did when he took on his current appointment was to visit every staff branch in 5 SIR. He was there to find out every soldier's name and his scope of responsibilities in each of the staff branches.
"It's not about micro-management. I wanted to see how the other branches and fighting units could add value to each other," says the physically fit officer, who has always aspired to be a Commanding Officer in the Army.
The Army, says LTC Koh, has offered him the opportunity for direct leadership when dealing with soldiers. "I'm an ordinary Army officer trying to lead and train my soldiers well," he says.
"I want to make a difference in the lives of young enlistees by helping them to understand the need to take up arms to protect our way of life, and to make their time spent with us during full-time National Service meaningful."
He is happy when he sees the soldiers change physically and mentally in their attitudes towards National Service. LTC Koh believes that if they have a positive Army experience, these soldiers would likely shape their sons' attitudes towards National Service when they become fathers.
"In the Army, it is not just about defence. Soldiers learn about social cohesion regardless of their social strata because they come from all walks of life," he adds.
"For me, it is the best opportunity to build this social cohesion, and provide an opportunity for soldiers to understand the social fabric of Singapore and to build strong bonds."
His advice to aspiring young scholars who are keen to join SAF? "Join us if you believe this is a meaningful vocation where you can impact lives and make a difference."