Security in good hands SAF Scholar Ng Chad-son has to ensure that the Singapore Armed Forces attracts and retains the right talent By Ahmad Osman AS THE deputy director of personnel policy at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ng Chad-son, 32, does work that is vital to Singapore’s security. It is his job to ensure that the Sin-gapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues to attract, develop and retain good people. Providing an attractive career proposition for those in the SAF and for young Singaporeans joining it in the future is a constant challenge for LTC Ng, a recipient of the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998 with two Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering and economics. He says: “We want to ensure that our people are developed and can commit to their work without worrying about other factors that can distract them. “As long as we can get good people into the SAF, the security of Singapore will be in good hands. “Singaporeans can continue to prosper and our loved ones can sleep peacefully at night. ”He applied for the SAF scholarship because he wanted a career with variety that alternated between command appointments leading soldiers and staff appointments tackling strategic issues and policies. He hasn’t been disappointed. LTC Ng has been formulating manpower policies for military officers, warrant officers, specialists and defence executive officers since December 2006. Developing and providing them with competitive remuneration and benefits are part of the duties that are different from what he did previously as commanding officer of a signal battalion and a staff officer in the army plans department. Spending time on the ground training and motivating soldiers who worked with sophisticated information technology equipment were his main tasks in the signal battalion. In his current position, LTC Ng says he has to adopt a “more strategic perspective”, work on policy matters and deal frequently with senior management personnel. His experience in the army plans department provided a deep insight into how the army works, its capabilities and force structure. “Now, I have to think about how to get the people to build those capabilities and structures,” he says. “My experience in previous appointments allows me to interact a lot with officers, warrant officers and specialists. “These are the people that I formulate policies for and an understanding of what motivates them is key. “My tours on the ground and in the other departments also gave me an idea of the type of work that needs to be done and the type of people and training that is needed. “This allows me to make sensible policies.” During his career, LTC Ng has picked up valuable leadership and management skills. He says: “I think no matter how smart or capable you are, you will not be able to do much more without being able to harness the talents of those around you.“ Therefore, I expect this to be critical as I progress in my career.” The SAF and Mindef have invested a lot in LTC Ng’s training. He trained twice with the US Army, once with the British Army, and also attended the US Army Command and General Staff College in the United States for a year. “Interacting and learning from the US Army was stimulating and eye-opening,” he says, adding that he expects the investment in his training to continue “probably through a post-graduate sponsorship” and opportunities for him to take on bigger and more exciting jobs.