MINDEF - REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY
Feature | National & Home Defence

Answering the Call of the Sea

Playing a critical role in keeping our waters safe and secure is the mission of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Hear from Captain (CPT) Jamin Lau, recipient of the SAF Merit Scholarship, about how he contributes to our seaward defence.

Answering the Call of the Sea

Playing a critical role in keeping our waters safe and secure is the mission of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Hear from Captain (CPT) Jamin Lau, recipient of the SAF Merit Scholarship, about how he contributes to our seaward defence.

I f you are someone who is seeking a career that is fulfilling and dynamic, then life in the RSN might just be for you. When he was looking for a career, CPT Jamin Lau was drawn to the excitement of a uniformed profession. “I had a very strong sense of adventure in my younger days and I wanted a career that would be filled with memorable experiences. I was quite certain that I wanted to join the military and would have done so with or without any scholarship or study award. It was really the icing on the cake for me when I was awarded the SAF Merit Scholarship,” he muses.

Today, CPT Lau is an Executive Officer (XO) in the RSN. As the second-in-command of RSS Valiant, he assists the Commanding Officer (CO) in managing many aspects of the ship, including the training, discipline, safety and welfare of the men and women under his charge.

CPT Lau Jianmin Jamin, SAF Merit Scholar

CPT Lau Jianmin Jamin
SAF Merit Scholar

Designation:
Executive Officer, RSS Valiant

“I am heartened to know that the efforts of my ship have made a difference to the lives of our fellow seafarers.”

Agent of Influence

As an XO, CPT Lau is given the task of ensuring that the ship is run effectively. He shares, “I see myself as the link between the Commanding Officer (CO) and the rest of the crew – I help to translate the CO’s vision of the ship into work priorities and activities for the crew. I am also responsible for advising the CO and delivering feedback from the crew.”

“As the XO, I am in a position to make a difference to the ship and the crew. By making the right decisions and putting in place the right policies, I can motivate my crew, raise their morale, enable them to feel a sense of accomplishment, and most importantly, keep them safe. It is a heavy responsibility, but at the same time, it brings me an immense source of satisfaction when I do my job well.”

Never a Dull Moment

CPT Lau recounts his days as a trainee officer in 2011, “We received a distress call out at sea from a vessel in the wee hours of the morning. As the nearest vessel, our ship was the first to respond. A vessel had sunk due to a collision with a larger vessel leaving some sailors stranded. We quickly coordinated the rescue efforts, and no lives were lost that day. I am heartened to know that the efforts of my ship have made a difference to the lives of our fellow seafarers.”

Closing Recommendations

CPT Lau adds that while a career in the RSN is fulfilling and full of adventures, aspiring officers should always remember that they are responsible for protecting the nation. “A career with the SAF is dynamic and challenging. Officers must have the ability to think critically and creatively, and adapt quickly. More importantly, an officer must have the right values – you must have integrity, be professional, and be disciplined.”

“Finally, you must be passionate about your work. If you have a strong passion for the military, just give it a shot! I did precisely that and I have no regrets,” he shares.