The crew of RSS Endurance, deployed in the Gulf, shows that
young Singaporeans can deliver when asked to serve.
The Endurance is a formidable fortress out a sea.
But it is not just the hardware that makes her tick as 152 men and
8 women man the ship in three shifts.
The deployment of these high-spirited individuals to the Gulf has
given a new dimension to life in the navy.
3SG Ashley Tan, 22-year-old Communications Specialist, said: "When
we did our work back in Singapore on our own ship, even with other
ships, we knew that it was only training. Whereas now, this is for
real."
Cpl Alvin Choo, 23-year-old National Serviceman, Gunner, said: "I'm
NSF and I volunteered to come, and I believe it's a great
opportunity. I believe it's a great exposure."
1SG Esther See Woon Yee, 28-year-old Radar Navigation Specialist
said: "I'm really inspired by my sister, she was involved in this
humanitarian aid in East Timor two years back. I see her being
moulded into a very strong and independent character. I want to be
like her and expose myself more to the outside world."
However leaving their families behind was not easy.
1SG Ng Mei Li, 27-year-old Radar Navigation Specialist, said: "Just
a few days before I left I told them. They were very sad and
worried. Because they know this time I'm not going for a tour, they
know I'm going to a war zone, they're quite worried. But I told
them not to worry, I"m coming back, you'll see me again."
They stay in touch with their families via email.
Life onboard the warship is like life on a floating city.
With its own reverse osmosis system, the ship is self-sufficient
for drinking water.
It can even supply water for other ships.
And food - a Singaporean obsession - is well taken care of.
1SG Peter Francis, 40-year-old Leading Chef, said: "Food is very
important onboard, it keeps the morale and motivates the guys to go
on. If we cook the food that's not good, the morale will go down
and no one will have any mood to work."
The crew keeps in shape with daily exercises in the evening, called
Dog Watch, followed by a hearty game of soccer or a game of
badminton.
The officers and crew are due to be back in Singapore in a short
while but for them the tour of duty in the Gulf has been an
enjoyable and eye-opening experience. - CNA
[/quote]
the crew was interviewed by channel i news and all the faces were
like censored out. 
