The Republic of
Singapore Navy (RSN)
is the ever-present
defenders of our waters,
committed to its mission
to provide for our
seaward defence and
ensure the safety and
security of our vital sea
lines of communication.
As a country that is surrounded by water, the survival of our nation is heavily dependent
on the safety and security of the seas. As one of the world’s busiest ports and a global
trading hub, Singapore is particularly susceptible to threats.
The RSN ensures stability by safeguarding Singapore’s territorial waters. It acts with diligence
and fervour, moving swiftly and effectively to mitigate any threat that arises. Brave men and
women of the RSN such as CPT Tung Wanling and CPT Charlene Tan have been dedicating
their days and nights to keep our seas safe. We talk to them to find out more about their roles in
maintaining order in our waters.
Vigilant defenders
Playing an important part in the defence of our territorial waters is RSS Sovereignty, one of the
Fearless-class patrol vessels in the RSN. The Executive Officer of the ship, CPT Tan beams with
pride while discussing the vessel. “The patrol vessels may not be the largest ships in the RSN
but we play an important role in safeguarding our territorial waters, defending the sovereignty of
Singapore,” she shares.
As the second in command of the ship, CPT Tan sees herself as a facilitator and a catalyst.
She tells us, “It is my responsibility as a facilitator to help everyone to excel in their roles so that
we can complete every mission successfully and safely. As a catalyst, I try to look critically at
how we do things on the ship and introduce ways to continually improve.”
CPT Tung Wanling
SAF Merit Scholar
Designation:
Operations Officer, RSS Formidable
Studied:
Master of Science in Neuroscience,
University of Oxford, UK
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience,
University College London, UK
"The RSN is coming up with new capabilities and is also looking into how we can continue to grow with the changing demographics and landscape. I am looking forward to developing and seeing these capabilities come into fruition."
Another part of the RSN’s arsenal is the Formidable-class frigates, the principal strike
craft. Equipped with state of the art weapons and electronics, the frigates are multi-mission warships that are capable of dealing with
multidimensional naval threats from the air,
surface or underwater. The first of the class,
RSS Formidable was launched in 2004 and was
commissioned in 2007.
Working as the Operations Officer of RSS
Formidable, CPT Tung tells us that her job
is about being precise and detail-oriented.
She says, “In order to carry out a mission
successfully and ensure the safety of the crew,
I have to be precise because any mistake made
can be costly. And in order to understand the
finer details of a mission, meticulous work and
critical analysis during the preparation and
execution of tasks are necessary – allowing me
to make better judgements, and consequently,
better decisions.”
A plethora of experiences
Both servicewomen attest to the fact that
life in the RSN is never dull. Every single day
is always a new adventure with many exciting
opportunities awaiting them.
CPT Tan has no shortage of stories to tell,
but the ones that she treasures the most are
the bonds she has built with her comrades. She
fondly recalls, “I had a crew member who had
problems adjusting to shipboard life when he
was first posted on-board. But when he reached
the end of his NS term, he told me that he had
truly enjoyed the time that he spent on RSS
Sovereignty. Despite having to spend time away
from home due to all the trainings and sailings,
he was happy to be able to contribute. He even
said that he had found a second family on the
ship, and that really touched my heart.”
For CPT Tung, she enjoys all the opportunities
that the RSN has given her to discover new
things. She tells us about the time as an
International Officer on board the ROKN Choi
Young (DDH-981) – a Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin
class destroyer. She recounts, “It was the year
2009, and I was attached to the ROKN Choi
Young for 30 days. All the things I got to see
made for a very memorable experience. I joined
the ship at its port of call in Toulon, France.
We sailed across the Mediterranean Sea and
docked at Alexandria, Egypt for 5 days before
transiting the Suez Canal to the next port of call
at Djibouti. Thereafter, we journeyed across the
Indian Ocean with sea states up to Sea State 7,
with wave height of six to nine metres high. I’ve
learnt quite a bit from the attachment. It allowed
me to gain an understanding of the ROKN’s
organisational structure and strong traditional
military culture. I also got a glimpse of their way
of fighting a battle and the various aspects of
their training methods,” she says.
CPT Charlene Tan
SAF Academic Scholar
Designation:
Executive Officer, RSS Sovereignty
Studied:
Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Public Policy,
New York University, US
Beyond the horizons
Many great things await in the RSN. Looking
ahead, CPT Tan is hopeful for the future. She says,
“The RSN is coming up with new capabilities
and is also looking into how we can continue
to grow with the changing demographics and
landscape. I am looking forward to developing
and seeing these capabilities come into fruition.
I look forward to the prospect of commanding a
ship in the future.”
For aspiring scholars, CPT Tan advises,
“Demonstrate the resilience and perseverance
to achieve your goals, even in times of adversity.
You must have the passion to excel and the grit
to see it through.”
“A career with the RSN is exciting and
rewarding, but you will have to be prepared for
the unique challenges of being a military officer
in the RSN. If you love challenges and pushing
your limits, and want to contribute to the
defence and continued prosperity of Singapore,
then a career with the RSN is for you.”
CPT Tung adds, “Be professional at work and
always remember to care for your ship crew. A
career in the RSN is challenging and enriching.
You will contribute to the safeguarding of the
nation, a place that holds all that I love and
all that I am loved by, making it worth being
committed to. If you think the same, then take
the plunge and join us.”