NSman's mind was on ICT, even after surgery

When NSman Danny Lien had a quadruple heart bypass two years ago, his first thought was not about his own recovery. Instead, he was worried about the in-camp training (ICT) of his battalion, which was just a month away.

"I was a bit more concerned with how the ICT would run," recalled Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Lien, 49, who is now the Chief of Staff of the 4th Singapore Armoured Battalion, a post held by operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen).

After his surgery, he even decided - without telling his wife - to return to camp to sit in on a commanders' meeting and make sure that training went like clockwork despite his absence.

On Monday, he was one of 15 recipients of the NSmen of the Year award at the NS45 Commemoration Dinner.