National Institute of Education, Year 3, AY2023/24 

Going into the SEP, I was motivated to understand the structure of a military academy, forge strong bonds with the US cadets, gain greater insights into the American culture, and possibly dabble into a different context and perspective of Sports Science. My objectives had been achieved as we were well integrated with the West Point cadets during our 6-month stint of being a student at the academy. We were given opportunities to take on leadership appointments, attend their classes, join their company sports teams, and participate in club events. Involvement in those activities gave us a firsthand experience of the training and student life of a West Point cadet while bonding with the students. The program allowed me to experience the instructional style of an American military academy, and more importantly, it allowed me to better appreciate the American military leadership and structure. I have gained a lot from this program, both as a sports science student and junior military officer.

It is undeniable that living abroad presents its set of challenges. It took me some time to adapt to the classes as the contact time was relatively short; students were required to prepare the materials beforehand for class time which was an avenue for discussions and exchanges of ideas rather than to learn and download information from the instructors. The weather was also much colder than what we were used to in Singapore, and we had to acclimatize our body to the sudden drop in humidity and seasonal attire. By the 5^th week, I found for myself a routine which allowed me to sufficiently prepare for class while catering time for the gym and other recreational activities.

As a kinesiology student at West Point, the biggest takeaway was learning how to apply kinesiology concepts in the military context. This was new to me as NTU placed a greater emphasis on the theoretical concepts and applications in active health and elite sports. The frequent discussions in classes and deliberate effort to link certain concepts to our role as a leader and soldier was something I felt was interesting and meaningful. Additionally, I gained greater insights into the structure of the US Army and understood how an Academy functions to incorporate both officership and undergraduate training in its 4-years program. The academy required cadets to take on leadership appointments and attend military lessons while completing the modules to fulfill both their major discipline and engineering modules.  Being able to take on the roles of an athlete, soldier, and student provided me with many intangible takeaways and improved my time management skills. During the semester, I was given the opportunity to be a squad leader for 4 local cadets. I had to conduct interviews to manage their well-being, be accountable for their whereabouts, and ensure that they effectively executed the instructions issued by the higher command. The first few weeks were challenging as I was not adjusted to their system, but it got better once I established a clear communication flow with my squad.

Lastly, I broadened my perspective on how cultural differences and structure play a huge role in the way students learn. The American educational system placed great emphasis on getting students to share their opinions and vocalise their understanding. There was also less of a hierarchical barrier between students and instructors and time was catered during every class to allow for open conversations. This protected time allowed students to freely ask and seek life advice from their instructors / senior commanders on any matters outside of the classroom and academics.

USMA conducts its military training and courses during the summer break before the start of the semester. During my time there (Aug – Dec), I was only exposed to their academic, physical, and administrative leadership duties. The classes, mandatory meals, and integration with the companies allowed us to live and study together with the local cadets which maximizes our interaction. Just like how we found an academy interesting as it integrates both military and academic aspects, the USMA instructors were curious to learn more about the structure of the SAF. I used this opportunity to share with them about the SAF, our scholarship opportunities, and the VA attachment structure.

My most memorable experience was watching the Army-Navy football game in December. This game was the highlight of the semester as there was a lot of hype and emphasis throughout the semester, leading up to this important day. All the students were energized and the whole corp of cadets came as one, to support and cheer on Army football throughout the 3 hours. The atmosphere and enthusiasm presented an indescribable feeling of unity and pride the West Point cadets possess as a Corp to achieve a shared mission.

The friendships I forged with other international cadets would come in handy during the course of our careers. The SAF regularly participates in multilateral exercises to strengthen ties with other militaries and offer humanitarian assistance to other countries in need. Having contact with international cadets allowed me to easily clarify matters and ask questions. We could also use these connections to strike up conversations with our foreign counterparts to establish a friendly relationship.

I now have a wider perspective of how officer cadet training is conducted in the US. This would allow me to sieve out the best practices and draw ideas from the leadership training in other militaries. Being able to have a better understanding of the culture of the US Army would also be beneficial when I participate in multilateral exercises in the future. These insightful experiences would be valuable to our organisation and potentially improve our current systems.

This SEP is definitely a highlight of my university journey, and I would recommend all SAF officers to sign up for this program. As a junior officer, one would gain many invaluable experiences and knowledge about military training definitely from the US but also the other international cadets at West Point (Japan, Korea, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, etc). Academically, the classes would allow students to draw linkages between what they learn in their courses and the application in the military. As the courses are taught by military instructors to students who will eventually serve in the Army, there is a huge emphasis on ensuring that the knowledge and concepts are applicable to our role as a soldier and a leader. This SEP is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and not everyone will have this opportunity to study in one of the world’s most prestigious military academy.

All these would not have been possible without the support from SAF and SNA. They were extremely supportive of our administrative matters and academic arrangements. Flight tickets, accommodations and transport matters were readily settled by both MINDEF and the Army, allowing for a seamless pre-departure administration. The tedious pre-departure process was made easier by discussing and synchronizing our plans with other SEP cadets whenever possible. We are also extremely grateful for Brent Matthews who looked after us at USMA. He was very helpful and ensured that our books, courses, computers, and accommodation were available once we reached West Point. 

School Of Humanities, Year 3, AY2023/24

Attending a military exchange programme at the United States Military Academy (USMA) may not be an obvious choice when weighing against civilian universities. USMA’s mission is to “educate, train, and inspire” every graduate in their preparation to be a commissioned Officer in the United States Army. Obviously, as a military academy, this means that regimentation is part of the day-to-day life in USMA. Routine activities such as morning parades, area cleaning, and room inspections should come as no surprise. In addition, movement out of USMA is considerably restricted due to scheduling and its location. However, USMA provides a unique opportunity that enriches an Officer’s professional development and should be placed in higher consideration when deliberating between exchange programmes. When considering applying for USMA, there was definitely a lot of deliberation before I made the decision. Therefore, I hope that this piece of writing serves as encouragement for prospective applicants to USMA because it is extremely beneficial for junior Officers in our profession of arms.

Firstly, the basis for my claim that USMA enriches an Officer’s professional development is largely due to the modules available. Besides the conventional modules found in universities, USMA offers military modules as well as those taught within a military context. Specifically, USMA has a Department of Military Instruction (DMI) that oversees Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) modules. With DMI, I took up DSS modules which allowed me to understand and link various rationales for “why things are the way they are”, to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and past/present military engagements in the world. Such an environment simply cannot be found in local/overseas civilian universities and should be sought after. In my opinion, junior Officers like myself generally lack the comprehension of a military Officer’s role to the state and in the world. Perhaps it is because such thought processes would be more beneficial to Officers at the operational level rather than the tactical. I do not doubt that we will eventually be given resources to learn as we progress in our careers. However, I think that early exposure and individual reflection would surely accelerate professional development. For example, I took a module known as DS320: Introduction to Strategic Studies. DS320 gives a framework to evaluate strategic options/decisions of militaries and states around the world. I was thus able to better understand the layered complexities of conflicts happening in the regional and international arena.

Secondly, USMA regularly hosts conferences and guest speakers at the academy. The quality of speakers and insightful discussions generate ideas to be pondered upon. Being on exchange to USMA already exposes one to the perspective of a different culture through daily interactions with people. Such conferences add more value by embracing diverse views and often even conflicting opinions. I had the privilege to attend many such sessions. Of the most memorable, it was the “Ethics of War and Peace Conference”.  The conference focuses on the theme “What is it Good for?” Rethinking the Uses of War after Afghanistan and the Invasion of Ukraine.” While one might expect proponents of war in the conference, I was particularly surprised to listen to an account of “Why war is good for nothing”. It should be noted that this conference was held in a renowned military academy in the presence of experienced military veterans. In addition, this speaker was a professor teaching at USMA! I think this surely attests to the all-embracing culture of diverse ideas at USMA and is a defining reason for professional development.

Lastly, USMA allows interaction with militaries from all over the world. Countries such as Canada, Brazil, Germany, Japan, etc., also participate in the exchange programme. Depending on the country, these individuals may be Officer cadets or commissioned Officers. It was interesting to share and converse about each country's unique situation which always prompted reflection. We also had a chance to participate in the Norwegian Foot March (NFM) and earned ourselves a foreign badge to show for it. It is not every day that I get to carry a rucksack and march (run mostly) 30km in under 4 hours and 30 minutes on a winter night. And I quote one of my instructors in USMA, “I have walked for many nights and not received a badge.” For me, the NFM was a highlight that I enjoyed (not so much while actually doing it).

To conclude, I would recommend an exchange to USMA. For any junior Officers, USMA should be highly considered as it facilitates professional development. The military modules, conferences, and international interaction are opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. Even though USMA may come across as “rigid/strict”, there was also much fun and laughter to be had. I shall not spoil everything but only assure that there is much more enjoyment than one might expect.

School of Social Sciences, Year 3, AY2023/24 

Having been interested in the military since young, the prospects of going to a military academy has always intrigued me. So, when the opportunity came by in the form of a semester exchange programme to United States Military Academy (West Point), I hopped onto it immediately and I must say, this would probably be one of the most unique experiences I have in my life!

The mission of both West Point and OCS in Singapore serves the same purpose – to train and commission competent leaders into the military, both institutions do it in very different means. For one, West Point is a military academy, which means that there is both academic and military portions to the institution. Unlike OCS, whereby one holds the rank of a cadet for 9 months and focus primarily on military training, the training period in West Point is 4 years whereby cadets commission with a bachelor’s degree of their choosing. Effectively, a military academy is a university that is being run by the military, with military elements being injected to various portions of their daily routine. Cadets will focus on studies during the semester and resume their military training during their summer breaks.

While I have done some research prior to heading to West Point, I was still thoroughly amazed when entering the school. West Point prides itself in its history – being one of the oldest military colleges in the world, and this can be seen from the design philosophy of the school to the countless artefacts that lies around, to the uniforms that the cadets wear during their stint in West Point. Some of their uniforms remained unchanged since the school’s inception in 1802, and some have referred West Point to be like Hogwarts in Harry Porter series of movies.

Given the military nature of the institution, cadets hold leadership responsibilities during their time there. For me, I was given the position of a squad leader, in charge of 6 other cadets consisting of freshman out of basic training, and yearlings who serve as the team leaders to these freshmen. The role of a squad leader is the same as a section commander in Singapore – you will oversee their discipline and wellbeing and serve as the primary point of contact for them should anything requires your attention. While this may seem daunting at first – having to oversee six other US cadets in a foreign land, you will realise that it is no different than doing it in Singapore. You will take care of them and exercise leadership the same way that you do for your troops back in Singapore. Although there are some administrative differences when it comes to doing things in the US, your platoon leader or platoon sergeant can always get you up to speed with it. You will be expected to exercise your leadership abilities and will be assessed on it as well. Having held prior experience in being a section commander, the experience came in handy, and I managed to build strong bonds with my squad even though the time spent was only for a short semester there.

One of the most valued aspects of West Point is the connections and the access to people that the academy holds. Throughout my time there, I had countless number of high-profile people that I had the opportunity to attend lessons by. This includes of 4 star generals including General Austin Scott Miller (Former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan), former commander of US Central Command (in charge of all US operations in the Middle East), former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence Agency Michael Morell (who oversaw the hunt for Osama bin Laden), and even the international spokesperson of Israel Defence Force who gave us a first-hand account of what was happening in the Gaza Strip as it was unfolding right in front of our eyes. The lectures that were provided by them were certainly insightful and I learnt a lot more about the United States and the larger world from what they were able to provide. The access that West Point was able to provide to these individuals given its prestige and reputation was truly something that is rare and hard to come by.

On the academic front, one of the things that is unique to West Point is the kind of classes that are being offered. The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS) offers classes that are related to security and strategic studies and is something that one cannot find in local universities at an undergraduate level. I had to chance of attending 3 of such classes (Special Operations, Domains of War and Cyber Intel History) and it expanded my horizons of military knowledge and the wider strategic environment. Being military soldiers in the profession of arms, I would highly encourage anyone heading to West Point to apply for DSS modules to widen your horizon and understand the greater strategic environment that underpins our profession. It will allow for a greater appreciation of the nature of our jobs that will come in handy in the future as we take on higher commands.

Apart from Singapore, West Point also takes in a multitude of international cadets in both the 4-year programme and the semester exchange programme. During my time there, i had the chance to interact with cadets from different militaries across the world, from neighbouring Southeast Asian nations (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines), to East Asia (Korea, Japan, Mongolia), Europe (Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Bosnia, Kosovo), and the Americas (Canada, Brazil). We were able to culturally immerse and exchange perspectives, as well as introduce our militaries with each other. This gave us a first-hand experience in becoming a diplomat to represent Singapore and the SAF to the rest of the world. Apart from that, we also had the added benefit of forming great friendships and connections with each other which may prove to be useful and open opportunities for collaboration going forward in the future.

Overall, I have benefitted greatly from this exchange programme. It exposed me to life in a foreign military academy, introduced myself to strategic and defence studies, gained key insights into the field of a military profession, gained meaningful friendships and connections to people around the world and more importantly, served as an ambassador to Singapore and the SAF. I highly encourage anyone with a strong military interest to take on this exchange programme to experience this for yourself, as unlike a normal civilian exchange, this experience cannot be bought with money. It is unlikely that one would have another chance of being in West Point, and I am really grateful to have been able to partake in this experience and had a fulfilling and enriching time of exploration and self-discovery when I was there.

School Of Social Sciences, Year 3, AY2023/24 

My biggest takeaway were the classes I attended. Class sizes were small, learning was highly individualised, and instructors/peers were welcoming and encouraging. As a PPGA major, learning about the world is my bread-and-butter, hence U.S., and West Point, was undoubtedly one of the world’s best institutions to learn at. We often engaged in discussions about world affairs. We delved deep into the history of conflicts, present status, and even potential implications for the future. It was different because it was a real issue for the U.S. cadets – real because the chances of deployment were possible, the chances of being thrown into a hot war upon commissioning was not a foreign concept. The topics and questions raised by these cadets offered a new perspective looking at these on-going conflicts/tensions, shedding some light on how decisions made by world superpowers could drastically impact her neighbours and the world. These conversations were further made interesting when guest speakers came to West Point – and it could range from anyone from an intelligence board to a foreign public relations officer. Apart from world affairs, I also especially liked the way classes were taught – we learnt about theories (in-depth) before applying to the case studies and beyond. Lastly, it was relatively easier to course match as a PPGA major, and in fact one of the main considerations I had when matching courses was the perspectives that U.S. instructors have to offer would definitely be different from Singapore professors.

The West Point and Army culture is being carried by the cadets and officers with pride; weeks like “Beat Air Force week” and “Beat Navy week” were intense, crazy, and fun. I think these were one of my favourite weeks at West Point because I got to experience real-time the emphasis the U.S. Army places on growing traditions and legacies and instilling the sense of pride amongst their cadets. And even ceremonies such as Acceptance Day and Ring Ceremonies are evidence of their willingness to spend time, resources, and effort to ensure these legacies run deep – which is amazing. Hierarchy and structure are beliefs that cadets value a lot – where plebians are subjected to plebe duties, and LTs are given the authority and autonomy to run shows and make decisions. In some sense, it is the Army everywhere in the world, including Singapore. But what strikes differently is how everyone follows the same set of rules carefully, understanding that they all went through the same experience, and the title is to be earned.

Often times, we think that Singapore has established a name for itself on the international stage and that most countries/people should have heard of this name somewhere. Being at West Point has humbled that opinion for me; and even at one of the top U.S. institutions there are those who are unaware of who and where Singapore is. Truth be told, it is evident that some (not all) underestimates the abilities of Singaporeans and Singapore as a whole, and only through interactions and time were we able to prove ourselves to be equal with other European/Western cadets. Though that said, there were also many others who would initiate conversations and genuinely expressed interests in our tiny red dot, of which we are obviously happy to engage. This has allowed me to realise the role we play at these institutions – to be an ambassador of the country and of our Armed Forces, to share the name of Singapore and what we do. I also grew to appreciate Singapore more; the safety we often take for granted, public transport systems of quality and timeliness, as well as the clean streets we walk on.

Apart from learning about the world and Singapore, being at West Point has allowed me the time and space for much self-exploration as well. Confidence – a virtue difficult to train if we are continuously placed in a position of comfort – classes at West Point has given me the chance to express my thoughts and ideas out loud, more than any class at NTU could. Perhaps it is the nature of the Western education system, or the fact that class sizes were small and class participation is non-avoidable, but generally the classroom environment and etiquette made it conducive for all to speak up. Instructors and peers were encouraging; instructors made it a point to know every cadet by their first names and would make it a point to call upon every raised hand in class, even if it may seem draggy or repetitive. Western institutions are distinctively different from the ones we are used to at home, and to each their own pros and cons; I am appreciative of the opportunity to dive deep into an education system different from home.

The Norwegian Foot March (NFM) was one of the key highlights of SEP; it was a 30km (approx.) ruck with a 13kg field pack and a time limit of 4h30mins (males) and 5h15mins (females). It is on a sign-up basis and after much contemplation and hesitation, I eventually signed up for it. The mental block prior was due to American cadets telling me that is a grueling one, in temperatures under 5 degrees Celsius and walking for almost 5 hours. I attempted 1/2 test march before I figured I could meet the timing, but each time I ended up with blisters and skin tears, partially because of the boots we wore. But anyway, fast forward to the end, I completed it. I can’t say it was an easy experience even after I’m done with it, but I guess it was worth it. It tested my physical capabilities and truly stretched my mental toughness, but nonetheless it was a part of myself I discovered through those marches.

Exchange is not one without the travels and time away from our host institutions – even if there is less time for this at West Point – weekends were the time to ours, and we tried to maximise our time exploring places of the U.S. that we have never been before. Outside of the sheltered West Point environment did I find myself becoming more independent, and it could be simple things like keeping a lookout for my personal belongings or finding the way in cities many times the size of Singapore. We got to discover a side of the world we do not usually see in Singapore, and all of these are a part of expanding our horizons and knowledge base. One of the things I’ve learnt was how to watch American football – the sport so heavily emphasised on at West Point and in America. Multiple home games and one big Army-Navy game taught me how to enjoy the sport a little, and to be sucked into that sporting environment of anguish and excitement were interesting experiences.

All in all, exchange at West Point has been an enjoyable one made possible through the hospitality of USMA, the American cadets and international counterparts, as well as the three other Singaporeans I went with. It was a time away from the usual comfort of home and Singapore, and a time to engage in reflections about the world, Singapore, and ourselves. Opportunities like an exchange at USMA, West Point are hard to come by, and not many can say they experienced one before. While it was different from a normal exchange, it was not any less meaningful nor fulfilling – it is all about what the student sets out to achieve, and what he/she wishes to experience. I am thankful for the chance at something unconventional, and the lessons learnt will stay with me for long.

School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Year 3, AY 2022/23

I’m sure many would agree that being on studies as an SAF Regular gives us the much-needed break we need from the military regimentation we had experienced during the past 2-3 years leading up to university life. I was no exception – prior to registering for the USMA SEP, I was extremely reluctant to give up the luxurious autonomy that is NTU’s education system. As such, the entire notion of sacrificing all these freedoms that we have come to love, for a semester of regimentation, discipline, and being a cadet again was less than appealing, to say the least.

By now, I’m sure you are thinking – Yes! That’s exactly what I’m NOT looking for in a semester exchange! I want to have fun! Who in the right mind would sign up to suffer in worst of all – a foreign land!? Right, hear me out, because that’s exactly what I thought until I unintentionally saw a reminder email from the SAF-NTU Academy on the last day before registration closed. As cheesy as this might sound, I gave myself a little motivational speech in my head as I was on Campus Blue on the way back to hall – The only way we are able to grow as people and as leaders, is by stepping out of our comfort zones, and into the unknown.

 Which begs the question – isn’t going for a regular exchange programme at a civilian college also considered stepping out of my comfort zone? Yes, it is. But WAIT! A semester at USMA (West Point) provides you with experiences that no other civilian college is able to offer. Obviously, the reverse is true. Here, we need to ask ourselves, what are we looking for in an exchange? What do we value in an exchange?

Throughout my experience at West Point, I found that in comparison to civilian colleges, we were able to better connect and make more friends from abroad as we were all sent to separate companies from the first day. This obliges intermingling and networking with the Americans, as well as cadets from various allied nations (i.e.: Japan, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Chile, France, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Belgium, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Peru, Kazakhstan, Portugal, etc). Yes, Mr Worldwide here really made friends with people from all these countries. Can you do the same at a civilian college? Didn’t think so! That said, it is extremely crucial that you carry yourself in a manner fitting of a foreign ambassador of Singapore and the SAF.

Now, for the regimentation. It goes without saying that basic regimentation is expected and present in all military organizations worldwide. However, given that we are professional soldiers, this shouldn’t be foreign to us. Besides, it’s not as crazy as you think. Here’s a general rundown of what to expect regimentation-wise. On a working day, you would be expected to be present for morning formation which goes around 0650hrs. Thereafter, 1^st period starts at 0730hrs and lunch formation goes at 1200hrs. Lunch is mandatory, and everyone has a designated seat at a table (family style). This really helps you to network with those at your table! Classes usually ends around 1610hrs, if you have last block classes. Dinner is optional, and the next thing you have to worry about would be TAPS (essentially curfew), where you have to be signed out to your room by 2330hrs. Rinse and repeat. There are usually some activities planned for Saturdays, in the form of training or mandatory home football games. These are usually done by noon or late afternoon, respectively. As such, of all the weekends available to you, expect 2 free weekends (where there’s nothing on), and 3-4 long weekends (i.e.: labor day, veterans’ day, etc.). This is still a considerable number of opportunities to travel, provided you do your due diligence in planning.

Football, America’s favorite sport. If you don’t know a thing about football, don’t sweat it. Heading into this exchange, I didn’t either. That said, rest assured that by the end of the exchange, you would have attended so many football games, shouted BEAT NAVY so many times and raved to tsunami to the point where the stadium almost collapsed, that you will begin to develop a liking for the game. Who knows? Toward the end of the exchange, you might even start screaming “LET THE BOYS PLAY” at the referee.

If you are concern whether the academic programme at USMA is right for you, here’s a quick breakdown of the way it works there: Affectionately dubbed the “Thayer Method”, this method of teaching sees relatively small classroom sizes of no more than 20 cadets. This allows for extremely interactive classes where I am willing to bet my best dollar that you will have opportunities to ask all the questions and participate in class to your heart’s desire. If you are afraid to speak out, don’t worry, your instructor will ask you questions in the midst of class. Class schedules rotate around a 2-day system, where there only exists a day 1 and a day 2. As such, cadets are expected to read up on the lesson’s content ahead of time before reporting to class. After class, you will be expected to turn in graded assignments which helps tremendously with keeping up on class content.

Apart from academics, West Point also places great importance on physical fitness – which is apparent in the obscene amount of squat racks they have in their state-of-the-art gymnasium. If you aren’t a gymrat heading into this exchange programme, you might very well become one. Which isn’t necessarily a downside since we are professional soldiers, right? What is stimulation without nutrition – muscle aches and no gains. West Point knows this, which is why they invented the grab-n-go -- a convenience store where you are free to grab anything for free. In there, you will find more protein than your muscles are able to synthesize, more calories than you need for the day, and more hydration than you could possibly ever ask for. Did I say everything was free?

Now for everyone’s favorite portion of the exchange programme – vacation. Despite all the difficulties commonly associated with travelling when it comes to a military exchange programme, I managed to visit 20 states in my time here! I travelled before, during, and after the semester, so it is very possible! Some of these states are: Ontario (Canada), New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, etc. I was also invited to spend Thanksgiving break at a buddy’s place in Memphis, Tennessee, and Christmas Dinner at a buddy’s place in San Diego, California!

In conclusion, I left West Point with a ton of brothers and sisters that I will miss dearly, as well as a wealth of positive experiences to reminisce on. I sincerely hope all of you who are eligible for this exchange programme, take time to seriously consider the opportunities that await you in this once in a lifetime experience, that is both eye-opening and enriching.

National Institute of Education, Year 3, AY 2022/23

The main objective for me going to West Point was to experience another military school’s culture, teaching, and practices. Whilst growing professional military knowledge. I also personally have always wanted to go to West Point and see what is like there. The key driving factors which influenced my decision to go to West Point was its status. West Point is a prestigious military academy so going there is a once in a lifetime opportunity. My family, friends, and commanders all encouraged me to go.

When I arrived at West Point, little did I know I was going to be squad leader in charge of 6 cadets. I was responsible for their whereabouts, decorum, and behaviour. Through the process I realised that leading different country troops are no different from leading your own. You still have to be physically fit, mentally alert and competent. There were times I had to fight for their ranking and justify their efforts to get a higher military grade. However, this position gave me the opportunity to test my leadership abilities in a foreign context.

In my opinion, the key benefits, and values of having the overseas military exchange programme is that one can make lifelong friends from differently militaries around the world, experiencing US military culture, and learning military knowledge. A military exchange is very different from a normal civilian exchange as you get to interact with foreign counterparts and build networks which you may never know if you will meet them again in your career.

Apart from foreign relations, going to a military exchange also opens your eyes to the bigger world of military out there. It has highlighted to me about my individual weaknesses and things to improve on. West Point hosts an abundant number of clubs and sports to join. They also have a strong variety of PE classes and a fitness culture ingrained into what is called “Company Athletics” programme. These good practices in terms of culture gave me lots to bring back to the SAF. For example, in the SAF a lot of emphasis is placed on running and cardiovascular fitness. However, in the US I realised that the average west point cadet is a strong lifter and muscular strength is a valued component in the US military. It is interesting to see how different militaries prioritise different components of fitness based on their culture or needs. Each company also recognises a particular individual at the end of the week and gives them praises and little gifts in front of the whole company as part of recognition. Which I think is a good practice to do.

Through West Point, I learned more about how the US military structure is set up. How to lead teams better, differences between Singapore and US stand on the world issues. I picked up some interesting workouts, good company culture practices and eventful celebrations that I can bring back to the SAF. Personally, the friends I made were the best part of this trip. I believe they will be lifelong friends both in professional future military exchanges as well as outside of uniforms. I am looking forward to meeting them again through military exchanges.

In terms of administrative, academic and consultative support, West Point provided full support. The general living conditions in USMA: air conditioning was provided, hot water was present at times in the shower, and food was healthy and abundant.

I think the rigidity of a military academy, lack of freedom, and going back to a cadet again are all factors that will deter students. However, I think that broadening your horizon as a young officer aspiring to lead well in the SAF is vital to professional development hence I will strongly recommend SEP to future SAF officers.

Overall, I am very satisfied and grateful for this opportunity. My key takeaways were the foreign friendships from all over the world. Learning more about military knowledge as well as experiencing US military culture. Some of my most memorable experiences/moments during your exchange was attending classes with all my classmates there, attending briefs by senior US leadership, experiencing the company culture, witnessing Christmas Dinner and the Army-Navy football game.

This SEP changed my perspective in life and made me realise the importance of intentionality and leaving a good impression. It also made me realise the importance of physical strength in a soldier and the moral courage required to speak up as an officer.

School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Year 3, AY 2022/23

Attending an overseas exchange programme was not something I really wanted, much less one in a military academy.  When I am so comfortable surrounded by my friends, family, and the liberty to decide my own schedule, why would I want to subject myself to a foreign environment and back to the regimentation of the military?  However, looking back on the semester I spent in USMA as an exchange cadet, I don’t regret a thing. In fact, I’d gladly take up the opportunity again in a heartbeat.

In my opinion, there is no better opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of another country than an exchange programme.  For a start, you would spend an entire semester in the host country and enjoy life on campus with them.  In USMA, exchange cadets from the same country are intentionally separated and assigned to different companies where they will conduct their daily activities with their new-found company mates.  Cadets from Singapore are no exception.  I was given the privilege to be assigned into 2^nd Regiment, India Company (I2).  Our company mascot was the moose and we took great pride in it, taking every other opportunity we could to proclaim it in front of other companies or in front of the superintendent (3-star general overseeing the entire academy).  Being in different companies as your Singaporean companions also mean you won’t be rooming with them as well.  Every exchange cadet in USMA is assigned a “host” cadet, a student in USMA who will be their roommate and get them up to speed with the culture and activities in USMA.  I shared the room with 2 roommates, Kwabena and Elijah.  As roommates, we had a blast of a semester, sharing with each other our cultures, talking about what drives us and what our goals were and how the stresses of school have been getting to us.  At the end of a semester rooming with them, I learned so much about American culture as well as the struggles of being a cadet in USMA.  However, the most important thing to me was the friendship that we built during the semester.  I will forever be grateful for the hospitality and generosity they extended to a cadet whose home country they probably never heard of.  Before entering West Point, I was incredibly intimidated by the idea of meeting new people and spending time in a foreign military.  Going through this experience, if I am being honest, nothing’s changed.  Meeting new people and being placed in foreign environment remains a daunting task.  However, looking beyond the initial discomfort of awkward introductions and the occasional mispronunciation of names, you start to realize how insignificant the temporal discomfort is compared to the treasure of friendship forged between the both of you.

Although we are exchange cadets in USMA, the school is fully committed in providing us with the experience of being in the US Military Academy.  In other words, we are treated almost the same as the US cadets with little to no exceptions.  We are expected to turn up during accountability checks, be in the appropriate attire, adhere to their regimentation standards, and most importantly be immersed in their school life.  USMA is generous with the appointments they give to the foreign cadets. From my observation, it is common for foreign cadets to take up roles such as the S1 of the companies.  In my semester there, I was given the privilege to be a squad leader.  I was in-charge of a squad of 5 cadets, of which comprising of a mixture of first-year and second-year cadets.  When I was initially informed of my appointment, I was extremely intimidated as well as confused.  For a start, as a foreign cadet, I had no clue on how the place operates.  Differences in culture and especially the accent also made communication complicated and awkward between us.  The duties of a squad leader include caring for those in the squad and ensuring they are performing up to the desired standard.  Thankfully, the chain of command as well as my squad was empathetic to the position, I was in.  They were generous with their guidance and ensured that I was coping well with the responsibilities of the role.  Being a squad leader was one of the biggest blessings I’ve had during this exchange if I am being honest.  While it technically “forces” you to interact with others, the entire process enables you to forge stronger bonds with your squad.  It is an opportunity to work closely with the US cadets and impart Singapore’s culture while also learning from them.  Overall, as a squad, we really grew closer together and forged strong friendships within it.  Leaving them at the end of a semester was truly a tough goodbye.  I’ve grown to realise that being in a position of leadership is a privilege, USMA is trusting us with the responsibility of handling their cadets as well as trying to develop us even though we are not a part of their school.  Additionally, I got to build deeper relationships with your peers during the journey. It indeed was one of the highlights of my time in West Point.

On to the academic portion, USMA provides an extremely interesting perspective as to their curriculum.  Unlike a civilian college, in the process of nurturing officers, the career in USMA places significant emphasis on leadership, military topics as well as discussion on current affairs.  Over here, I would like to highlight two unique traits of the education in USMA. Firstly, instructors in USMA mostly possess a military background. While there are some civilian instructors, most of my instructors in class are current military personnel with vocations spanning across the entire army.  Beyond the content of the syllabus, instructors would share about their experience in the military as well as advice to the cadets moving forward.  As regulars in NTU, we probably spent less than a year active in our roles in the army.  This applies to the cadets in US as well.  Hence, it is extremely common to see cadets staying back after class to find out more about their instructors’ experience, be it the job scopes of their vocation, the benefits of being in the military, or even how to manage their career in the force.  This provides guidance and mentorship to the cadets as well as providing them greater clarity on their future in the army.  Secondly, the topics covered in class are extremely relevant to their lives.  This goes beyond just linking the content students learn to their jobs in the military which USMA is meant for.  

Beyond the above-mentioned points about the experience in USMA, SEP also taught me a lot more about myself, things I never thought I struggled with.  I learnt how I dealt with problems and my coping mechanisms, how to be independent, how to be prepared to travel into a foreign environment, what to be aware for in my surroundings, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Exchange is really an opportunity to see what the world has to offer and while it may not always be a bed of roses, each fall we make great stories and build wisdom!  Going on an exchange program was never something I actively sought out to do, but now that I have done it, I never regretted a moment of it and highly encourage everyone to do so as well!                                               

School of Humanities, Year 2, AY 2022/23

"Duty. Honour. Country" the time-honoured ethical code speaks faithfully to every soldier's heart and soul and measures the heavy brevity of their responsibilities in three strides of simple yet meaningful words. Truth be told, I never knew these words to be the founding motto of a service academy thrice the age of Singapore. However, being amongst the faculty and students of the United States Military Academy (USMA), who embodied the motto Duty, Honour, and Country, was a humbling experience.

0600 Reveille. Morning Parade. Drill Practice. Daily Room Inspections. One by one, these seemingly striking red flags may present to you ghosts reminiscent of an age far-passed, just as they had for me. They may even compel you to turn away from the six-month program at the USMA. As someone who has harboured these doubts and anxieties yet committed anyway, I urge you to look past these obscurations. Beyond these fixations lay a teeming field of priceless memories and unforgettable experiences. To name a few; learning Combatives (a grappling sport akin to Wrestling/BJJ) from scratch with peers willing to wake up at 0500 just to hit the mats for you, hitting the range on academic off days, acquiring a diving license in bleak Autumn weather and revelling in the fierce lead-ups and pure unadulterated hype of Army/Navy games. In each unique nugget of the entire USMA experience, the underlying thread of peer support and an open community run evident.

From the Application phase to the post-Trip administration, support was generously provided by Mr Tan Choon Kiat of the SAF-NTU Academy, the faculty of USMA, and my fellow Singaporean and USMA peers. First, Mr Tan was instrumental in ensuring all administrative requirements were fulfilled throughout the trip and consistently checked in on the exchange officers through the six months. Second, the intimate sizes of USMA classes enable great Faculty-Student engagement (averaging 1:7 professor-to-students in my classes). This close engagement is fruitful for in-depth critical discussion. I particularly benefitted from the unique courses of XH415 Genocide Studies and Spanish (I). Students of the former engage with the foremost scholars of genocide throughout the course, take up an interdisciplinary approach to understanding genocide, and apply themselves to a current and pressing project for the final assignment. To anyone interested in taking subjects uniquely offered in USMA beyond their disciplines, I highly recommend XH415. For our final assignment, I had the pleasure of co-writing a Risk Assessment Study of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. With ready assistance from subject matter experts, my understanding of war expanded beyond war's ethical and legal complications and challenged my conceptions of its strategic, tactical, and psychosocial aspects.

School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Year 4, AY2018/19

As a SAF regular on studies, your summer and winter breaks are either occupied with vacation attachments or the clearing of your mandatory military modules. The idea of an exchange programme with a foreign military academy is daunting in multiple ways. The first knee-jerk reaction of sacrificing a long-awaited opportunity to travel and study abroad with close friends. However, the United States Military Academy Student Exchange Programme (USMA SEP) would seem less intimidating once you acknowledge the different set of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that a civilian university exchange programme cannot provide. The opportunity to even set foot in West Point is one coveted by many. A renowned military institution that produces top quality military officers, West Point is considered as the Ivy League tier of military institutions. This exchange programme provides an opportunity to experience life in a prestigious military academy, forge relationships with foreign military personnel which may prove useful in the years to come.

Singapore is not the only country that does an exchange programme with USMA. During my time there, there were cadets from Taiwan, Columbia, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Bangladesh, Malaysia etc. I was assigned to company C4. The command team was forthcoming and I felt warmly welcomed. (A gentle tip: An interesting fact a day is an excellent conversation starter as well as introducing your country.) Although the constant self-reminder of the need of carrying yourself proper as a representative of Singapore and SAF may seem a little stressful at first, but my roommate and other cadets created an environment for me to be at ease even though I’m half way across the globe from home.

Regimentation is probably the critical factor hindering you from applying for this exchange programme. Basic regimentation is definitely present in all military academies; mandatory attendance for classes and training periods, assemblies, reveilles. However, as mentioned, these are basic expectations that we are not foreign to in our career choice. This limits the travelling periods to only Friday afternoons to Sunday evenings. Peers have commented that with such limited travel periods, I am shortchanging myself by taking up this SEP. However, I beg to differ. There are opportunities for travels in the future but this exchange programme is limited. Furthermore, I have not been denied completely of the chance to travel. Washington D.C., Niagara Falls in upstate New York, Philadelphia are some of the states I’ve explored during the exchange programme. I was invited to Texas, by my roommate, to spend thanksgiving with his family. Nonetheless, regimentation and restrictions should be the least of our concerns when presented with an exchange programme of such calibre.

The academic programme at USMA feels more personalized compared to NTU. With smaller class sizes and all classes held in classrooms, it creates more opportunities for interaction between instructor and student. My largest class was 15 Pax and the smallest being 4 Pax. The classes that I attended had instructors that preferred to teach concepts using discussion as well as relation to current world affairs. Personally, the higher level of engagement appealed to me, making classes enjoyable. The fact that we had the same classes every 2 days entailed that readings and revision had to be done constantly. However, the highly engaging teaching method kept me eager for class. The instructors in USMA are mostly military officers, which meant that most of instructors had gone through the same system. This allows the instructors to relate closely to what the cadets are going through physically, mentally and emotionally. This allows a closer relationship between instructors and cadets which is beneficial for the cadets’ education as well. Instructors at times will share life experiences and advices to help cadets cope with existing or future situations. The instructors, with academia knowledge, personal life and combat experiences, ensure a holistic development for the cadets.

With “Every cadet an athlete.” as a motto, USMA also places heavy emphasis on physical fitness implemented through various sports programme. Every cadet is required to take at least one Physical Education class, as well as a sport as part of the Company Athletics team. With a 5-story sports complex equipped with an abundance of fitness equipment, USMA hosts a palpable and encouraging environment for one to achieve a high physical standard.

Ultimately, the exchange programme was enriching and fulfilling in ways that a civilian exchange programme would not be able to provide. Bonds and relationships forged with cadets all over the world would definitely prove useful in a shrinking military world. Experiences shared would broaden our horizons, be more welcoming to different perspectives and help us appreciate what we currently have. This is an opportunity not to be missed. 

School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, Year 3, AY 2018/19

As a Military Expert of the Singapore Armed Forces, as well as being an undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, I was given the rare opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy (USMA, more commonly known as West Point) for my academic semester exchange programme. USMA, which is located at West Point, New York, is one of the top-ranking public universities in the United States. It is also the oldest and one of the most prestigious military academies in the world, being founded in the year 1802 by then U.S President Thomas Jefferson. The academy; which is a part of the United States Army, incorporates both military training and academic study programmes into their curriculum. As such, after the 4-year programme, cadets who attend the academy will graduate with a bachelor’s degree of their choosing and be commissioned as an officer of the United States Army. LTA Sean Soh and I were the two officers chosen to represent Singapore at USMA this academic year, and I am incredibly thankful to the SAF-NTU Academy, as well as to USMA, for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

LTA Sean and I would both attend the academy’s first semester of the academic year, as a part of the graduating class of 2019. As such, we were both given senior cadet privileges and responsibilities. I was assigned to company G2 for my semester, where I had two American cadets as my room mates. My room mates were both very hospitable, down to earth and kind people, and we became good friends shortly after meeting. My company was very welcoming, and I would like to personally thank my company commanders and cadets for their hospitality and kindness.

The academy incorporates military regimentation, as all cadets would have to fall-in at 0650hrs every morning for their first parade, and we were no exception. This was easy for myself to get acclimatized to, as I had been doing it back when I was an officer cadet. Classes for myself would start at 0730hrs every day and would end around 1500hrs, these would be attended in the appropriate military attire. I took 5 academic courses and 1 physical education course during this exchange programme, with the academic courses being granted credit transfer back to my own Mechanical Engineering programme with NTU.

As a college engineering undergraduate, I was happy to learn that USMA was the first college in the United States to offer an engineering bachelors programme, back in the year 1817. The engineering courses offered at USMA are truly world class, with very professional and dedicated faculty members, state-of-the-art facilities, resources for cadets, as well as a very structured and deep expertise-focused teaching programme. Many of the teachers in the academy are also active-duty military personnel and I would like to thank my instructors for imparting their teachings on me; all of whom were knowledgeable, well versed and engaging with their students. Resources were easy to obtain, as the academy offered many kinds of textbooks and educational materials from the Jefferson Hall-USMA Library.

The academy focuses on a different teaching style as compared to the one done in NTU. Dubbed the “Thayer Method” by our instructors, this was a method of teaching where classroom sizes were relatively small; having up to approximately 20 cadets each. Cadets would be given reading topics and be expected to learn their content ahead of time before reporting for class, where instead of just talking, instructors would facilitate discussions and question and answer sessions with cadets, before giving out a graded homework assignment. This graded assignment was usually worth about 2.5-5% of the entire course grade, ensuring that cadets would employ consistency with their work. I personally found this method to be much more rewarding, as I found myself taking in the content of my courses naturally. Also, the in-class discussion format with the other cadets allowed us to get a much deeper understanding on the subject matter.

Apart from academics, we would also have military and physical fitness trainings at other times. For the foreign semester exchange cadets such as myself, we were more involved with the academic portion that the academy offered, as many of us have already completed our military training back at home. As officers representing Singapore, myself and LTA Sean would also act as foreign ambassadors. This may come as a surprise to some, but from my own personal encounters while in USMA, not many of the American people know much about Singapore, though they were always keen to find out. We would share history and facts about the country, with many of them taking a lot of interest and doing their own research. People at the academy were very impressed with Singapore and this made LTA Sean and I proud and thankful to have represented the country during this programme. I am certain we left USMA giving the people there a great impression of Singapore.

We were also given the opportunity to compete for the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (GAFPB, more commonly known as GPB). This was a military proficiency course conducted by the liaisons of the German Armed Forces at the academy, and it required participants to complete several physical and military tasks, including swimming events in our long no. 4 uniform, a physical proficiency test similar in vein to our IPPT in Singapore, a 12-kilometer fast route march while carrying a 25-kilogram field pack with a 2 hour time limit, and a pistol shoot at the cadet shooting range. LTA Sean and I were able to complete the course and attain the highest standard of Gold level military proficiency, for the course. We were awarded gold coloured proficiency badges by the German Liaison Officer for this accomplishment, this was a great gesture and I would like to thank the German Armed Forces for having given us this opportunity.

There were also numerous military and school events that we were privileged enough to attend, including prestigious awards ceremonies hosted by the academy for the most distinguished of recipients and recognized war heroes, American Football games where the Army Football Team would play against numerous opponents from other civilian colleges in the United States. There are also two historic football games played every year; the Army-Airforce game and the Army-Navy game. As the name suggests, both games would have the Army team play up against rival academies from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as friendly competition for bragging rights and prestige over each other. In fact, the Army-Navy game is regarded by many as only second to the Super Bowl in terms of sporting importance in the United States. Through these events we experienced many unique things, such as crowds of supporters for the football matches that rival that of our country’s National Day Parade, getting to hear speeches from numerous important people of interest from around the world and hosting many different Presidents and Prime Ministers from different countries.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed myself during this semester exchange programme and I learned many valuable life lessons, while at the same time making new friends from all over the world. This is a truly once in a lifetime experience that I will be sure to remember, and I highly recommend anyone who is eligible to apply for this programme to do so, as it is immensely fulfilling and enriching.