Singapore’s Generals have been getting a lot of flak lately.
The reason for this was simple – a recent breakdown in the MRT, which involved
the CEO of the SMRT Corporation (a former 3-Star General) and the Minister of
Transport (a former 2-star Admiral). Everybody in cyberspace has been quick to criticize
the fact that the former military men, while having impeccable academic
credentials, have simply been plonked into highly paid and high profile
positions – our generals, unlike places like the US or UK, can’t even claim to
have “Combat Experience.” As most Singaporeans who have served national service
will point out – being a general in Singapore is easy as long as you’ve got the
right papers – your promotion is guaranteed and you are actually protected from
the need to prove your professional competence.
Amidst all of this, there is a Singaporean General who’s
bucked the trend of negative publicity and actually gained public recognition
of sorts for being – well, a good leader. I am proud to say that the general in
question is my former Battery Commander, Lam Sheau Kai, and the Current
Commander of Combat Service Support (CSS). General Lam, who was newly promoted
this year was caught on camera doing something SAF Generals are not known for
doing – sweating alongside his men – the full story can be found at http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/garang-saf-one-star-general-packs-countless-ndp-goodie-bags-together-his-men.
On a personal level, I’m happy that General Lam is getting
the recognition he deserves. The man is a genuine walking advert for Singapore
Military Leadership – he actually believes in leading by example and
communicating with the men. I remember when he took over Alpha Battery of 23 SA
back in 1996/97. He started using Hokkien (main dialect of Singapore’s Chinese
population). For the officers and specialist of the battery, he ended the
practice is pointless endurance meetings – he meant it when he stated that he
believed that any meeting above an hour was unproductive. More importantly, he
took made it a point of knowing us on a personal level. Interviewed me several
times when I asked him to be my referee for university.
I know the man well enough to say that the online story that’s
boosting his image is not one that he created. I know him well enough to know
that he started helping the men pack the NDP Fun Packs (over 1 million packs
that need to be packed before August) because he genuinely believes he needs to
work with the men to lead the men.
Other that, I’m not going to publicise General Lam as I
believe he’d be most horrified by my efforts to sing his praises. Instead, I
believe there’s a happier picture in the sudden boost to his online fame.
The fact is, General Lam is leading the least glamourous and
therefore the most overlooked side of the army. Combat Support Services
involves the guys like store men, drivers and cooks. These are the guys who
work hard to ensure that the frontline troops get to where they need to, are
well fed and have the right equipment. In short, they provide the necessary
services but the ones nobody wants to do.
The army isn’t the only place where such people exist. Just
think of the medical profession where everyone wants to become a doctor but
nobody wants to become a nurse. The doctors get the glory for curing the
patient but it’s the nurses who take care of the patient from the point of
entry into the hospital or clinic and doctors often work on the information provided
by the nurses. Healthcare, as they say, is actually run by the nurses.
In the media business there is something similar. Everyone
wants to be a reporter and to be the character that breaks the story and gets
his or her name mentioned. What nobody talks about is the fact that it is
sub-editors who bring the paper out by acting as final check of facts, grammar and
so on. It’s the subs who come up with the headlines that we all read but they
never get the recognition for it.
Life is filled with people who do tough and menial jobs that
are essential to keep things going. Yet, more often than not, everyone forgets
about them.
I see General Lam’s online praise as something that goes
beyond the man himself. It’s like – finally, the people behind the scenes
getting praised.
Think of it, we’re going to be having a huge National Day
Parade this year to celebrate our 50 Years as an Independent Nation. Much will
be made of the fireworks display and the exhibits. The parade commander will be
the centre of National Attention and everyone will be watching the Guard of
Honour. Nobody will think of the guys who made it all happen behind the scene.
Well, it looks like that might change thanks to General Lam
and his team. Thank goodness some attention will be focused on the people who
made it happen. It’s about time someone remembered the people who make things
happen behind the scenes.
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