If you donāt tell your story, someone may tell a wrong one about you.
This happened a couple of years back
It was at the end of a project meeting and I had been involved in the project for a couple of weeks. As we were leaving the room, someone ask me casually.
āHeard you were from the navy, must be an interesting time thereā.
Before I could answer, someone else chimed in.
āMaybe he was just part of the administrative office and never worked on the shipsā.
I politely explained my experience.
Thatās was one of the times that I realized that if you donāt tell your story, someone else may be telling it for you and you donāt know what they are saying/thinking.
So hereās my story.
I joined the Singapore Armed Forces at 19, just like all male Singaporeans as part of our National Service or conscription. All males serve 2 years (2.5 during my time).
My first choice was to be a pilot in the Air Force. Cleared preliminary competency tests but didnāt clear the medical. They couldnāt risk even a minor medical report from a fall when I was 11 years old.
That put me at a crossroads. Do I select a career in the Navy or do I just serve my 2 years and pursue other alternatives paths?
I seeked many opinions.
But none more so than my dad.
After all, he made that similar choice, 30 years ago. Serving the Navy and rising the ranks. He was Commander of the Coastal Command at that time. (Even if I continued in the navy, it was unlikely that Iāll reach that pinnacle).
He didnāt push or pull.
He just laid out the pros and cons and left me to make my own decision.
And thatās how I started my naval career.
Served for 15 years till I was 34.
As a full fledged naval warfare officer.
On the newest and most active ships in the navy.
Not just in an administrative role.
So rem to tell your story.
You donāt know what others are saying or thinking.
This happened a couple of years back
It was at the end of a project meeting and I had been involved in the project for a couple of weeks. As we were leaving the room, someone ask me casually.
āHeard you were from the navy, must be an interesting time thereā.
Before I could answer, someone else chimed in.
āMaybe he was just part of the administrative office and never worked on the shipsā.
I politely explained my experience.
Thatās was one of the times that I realized that if you donāt tell your story, someone else may be telling it for you and you donāt know what they are saying/thinking.
So hereās my story.
I joined the Singapore Armed Forces at 19, just like all male Singaporeans as part of our National Service or conscription. All males serve 2 years (2.5 during my time).
My first choice was to be a pilot in the Air Force. Cleared preliminary competency tests but didnāt clear the medical. They couldnāt risk even a minor medical report from a fall when I was 11 years old.
That put me at a crossroads. Do I select a career in the Navy or do I just serve my 2 years and pursue other alternatives paths?
I seeked many opinions.
But none more so than my dad.
After all, he made that similar choice, 30 years ago. Serving the Navy and rising the ranks. He was Commander of the Coastal Command at that time. (Even if I continued in the navy, it was unlikely that Iāll reach that pinnacle).
He didnāt push or pull.
He just laid out the pros and cons and left me to make my own decision.
And thatās how I started my naval career.
Served for 15 years till I was 34.
As a full fledged naval warfare officer.
On the newest and most active ships in the navy.
Not just in an administrative role.
So rem to tell your story.
You donāt know what others are saying or thinking.