Having grown up in a family with deep roots in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Captain (CPT) Ashwath Chauhan’s decision to join the Navy came as a natural choice. “My parents were both from the RSN. So, the interest in the RSN was already present since I was a kid,” he shared. “I naturally wanted to emulate my parents and join the RSN.”

The mission of the RSN is to ensure the seaward defence of Singapore and protect its vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC). From a humble fishing village to thriving maritime nation, Singapore has always maintained a deep connection to the seas. Our advantageous geographical positioning has granted us substantial trade advantages, making the protection of our SLOCs imperative for a robust economy.

In fulfilling this mission, the RSN has evolved into a modern and highly capable force that is able to defend Singapore and play its part in ensuring maritime security of our waters, and ensuring access to critical SLOCs.

The Path Forward

While CPT Ashwath was always aware that his ambitions lay with the RSN, the specific path was unclear. Clarity was gained when CPT Ashwath was invited to apply for the SAF Merit Scholarship during his time in Officer Cadet School.

Applying for the scholarship seemed the ideal choice to him for many reasons. “Apart from the financial incentives, this scholarship opened several developmental doors for me,” he stated. “For example, I was able to be a part of leadership development seminars, workshops, and tea sessions with senior commanders to understand higher-level perspectives and more.”

He was later able to utilise his scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History at NUS. “I was always interested in the military since I was young, and this interest naturally progressed into a curiosity for history in general,” he explained. His university education equipped him with an arsenal of skills including reasoning, analysis, and research that he finds are still relevant to his work today.

The scholarship also offered him leadership development opportunities and granted him access to senior-level MINDEF/SAF perspectives to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the RSN’s priorities and apply it to his line of work.

Broad Horizons

Today, CPT Ashwath thrives as a Project Officer in the Naval Diving Headquarters, where he takes on the responsibilities of planning and organising training exercises. “Being in Naval Diving Unit (NDU), there is a strong emphasis on physical fitness, so I dedicate part of my day to exercising – running, swimming, and gym work, for instance,” he added. In addition, being part of an elite community requires him to think out of the box to find unique solutions for maritime special operations.

CPT Ashwath is also exposed to ship operations. He served a tour on board MSRV Guardian, a Sentinel- class Maritime Security and Response Vessel. He also gained his bridge watch-keeping certificate in 2020, the equivalent of our driving license on the road. “It was a year-long and arduous experience that trained us, young officers to multitask, make quick decisions to navigate our ships safely through busy waters and encouraged us to have a deep appreciation for the intimate details of our various platforms,” he shared.

Cultivating Growth in a Supportive Environment

While his accomplishments so far have been many, CPT Ashwath maintains that his track record would not have been possible without the RSN’s supportive work culture. “The term ‘Navy Family’ is used quite often,” he relayed enthusiastically, “Our colleagues are our strong social support network, especially when we have to work long hours or when we are sailing and are away from home for quite a while. These are the times we always look to one another for support.”

He also spoke at length about the unparalleled opportunities he received and how career and personal development is emphasised within the RSN. “The organisation is very dedicated to developing the competencies of its people, so there’s ample opportunity for personal development and growth.” He adds; “You are not only encouraged to perfect the skills used on a daily basis but are also able to acquire new abilities like learning a new language, improving your digital literacy, and more.”

But CPT Ashwath is not one to rest on his laurels. He aims to achieve much more with in the RSN. “I aspire to be a capable and competent leader who makes a meaningful difference for the organisation and the people,” he divulged.

He advises anyone who believes in the vital mission of safeguarding our island nation to consider forging a path with the RSN. “The RSN is always happy to recruit passionate and focused individuals,” he said. “You only need to have clear direction and strong motivation. But more importantly, you will need to be humble and willing to learn.”