Page 41 - Scholarship Guide Aug 2019

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SAF MERIT

SCHOLARSHIP

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Receiving the Edusave Scholarship during her She recounts fondly her previous tours where MAJ Lee Ying Na Vivien
secondary school years was a blessing that she was tasked to train full-time National 2008 SAF Merit Scholar
Major (MAJ) Vivien Lee reminded herself to Servicemen (NSFs) into operationally-ready
Staff Officer
never take for granted, and she vowed to pay it soldiers and instil in them a sense of belonging
Joint Operations Department
forward by contributing back to the Public despite being away from home. It is her hope
Service. Her calling to defend her family and loved that some of them have been inspired enough
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, The
ones was the impetus behind her eventual to become a better person for their families and
University of Sheffield, UK
decision to join the Singapore Armed Forces society.
(SAF). Master of Arts in Science and Security,
Additionally, MAJ Lee embraces the other “soft”, King’s College London, UK
This “untraditional path” – as MAJ Lee herself but equally important roles that have shaped
describes it – began with the opportunity to her positive experience in the SAF. Coach,
further her studies overseas with the SAF Merit mentor, confidante, friend: these roles enable
Scholarship. As eye-opening as the experience her to flourish, and despite her immersion in a
was, it also helped her to appreciate her family male-dominated environment, never has she felt
more, and the comfort and security people have discriminated against.
in Singapore.
MAJ Lee credits the SAF for giving her the
Since completing her studies in 2012, MAJ Lee’s opportunity to maximise her potential, saying,
tenure in the SAF continues to fulfil her personal “through it all, I have learnt that I can do more
and professional aspirations. Currently, she is a than I ever thought possible!”
Staff Officer in the Joint Operations
Department, a role she enjoys for the many For aspiring scholars keen to pursue a career in
challenges it continues to present. While she the SAF, MAJ Lee is all encouragement. “Give it a
readily admits that her appointment includes try!” she says. “You will be given the opportunity
classified information, she explains that her role to serve in various departments and units to
involves the enhancement of the SAF’s acquire a breadth of knowledge and holistic
operations in dealing with hybrid warfare and understanding of the organisation.”
terrorism.
She is also responsible for developing doctrine
that helps to shape the current and future
operational landscape. “I need to think beyond
today’s construct and envision a better
tomorrow where we can run the SAF more
efficiently, and in a more cost-effective way,”
MAJ Lee shares.

Throughout her day-to-day staff interactions,
MAJ Lee is an advocate of constant connection
with ground personnel, whom she feels a
certain responsibility for. “Being able to connect
to the people contributes to effective and
enduring leadership,” MAJ Lee says.