10/07/2026
May Allah guide him. Amin.
20 years ago today. I was 21 years old, on my first trip to the United States, at the United States Air Force Academy with one word embroidered across my uniform.
SINGAPORE.
That word became my compass.
In 2006, I graduated as the Top Military Graduate of my cohort and as a Distinguished Graduate in Aeronautical Engineering. Looking back, the awards are meaningful, but they are not what I remember most.
What I remember was the journey.
The Academy was unlike any university experience. There were no orientation camps, fraternity parties, or leisurely weekends. Every privilege was earned. Even a weekend day off into the nearby town was a given privilege.
The days began before sunrise and ended long after sunset. Military training, Basic Cadet Training, academics, athletics, inspections, leadership responsibilities, the relentless environment designed to stretch every dimension of a person.
What made it extraordinary were the people.
Each cadet had earned their place through an intensely competitive nomination process from their congressional district or state. They were among the very best America had to offer, not just academically, but as athletes, leaders, musicians, pilots, engineers, and public servants.
I was surrounded by people with remarkable talent.
But what struck me even more was their passion. For many of them, excellence was never simply about achieving good grades or winning competitions. They pursued their calling with extraordinary commitment. What others might call a hobby had become a lifelong craft. Being immersed in that environment challenged me to raise my own standards every single day.
The Academy also taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career, as a fighter pilot, engineer, finance, public servant, and Member of Parliament.
That the mission matters.
But people matter even more.
No mission succeeds without trust, teamwork, humility, and leaders who bring out the best in those around them.
People often ask what motivated me through those difficult years.
It wasn’t the thought of winning an award.
It was that single word on my uniform.
Singapore.
Every day, I reminded myself that I wasn’t there alone. I was representing my country, my Air Force, my family, and the many Singaporeans who had invested their trust in me. My responsibility was simple, give my fullest, never let them down, and leave everything on the field.
If I could turn back time and do it all again, the hardship, the pressure, the sleepless nights, the demanding standards, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Not because of the recognition. But because of the people I met, the lifelong friendships forged, the lessons in leadership, and the privilege of serving others.
Thank you, Singapore, for the privilege of representing our nation. Twenty years on, it remains one of the greatest honours of my life.
