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Agile leadership, onboard kinship: How choosing an unexpected path led to naval officer's thriving career
Working on a warship has allowed this SAF scholar to learn the true value of camaraderie and diplomacy – and that he absolutely loves it
As second-in-command of the RSS Valiant, Major Lester Lee thrives on the unpredictable nature of his job.
PHOTO: MINDEF SCHOLARSHIP CENTRE
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As executive officer – second-in-command – of the Victory-class Missile corvette RSS Valiant, Major (MAJ) Lester Lee is responsible for taking care of his people, ensuring mission success while looking into contingency planning.
This goes beyond the appearance of sudden squalls and stormy seas. Unforeseen circumstances might cause disruptions to shipboard operations or training schedules.
In short, it is MAJ Lee’s job to ensure that as far as possible, nothing breaks – and when something does, it is his job to make sure it is fixed.
To anyone else, this might be a source of undue stress. But this is an environment in which MAJ Lee, 31, thrives.
After 10 years in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), one thing has become very clear: Not having all the answers to certain problems is one of the first things that a naval officer has to get used to, he says.
Every officer receives extensive training in operations, navigation, leadership and other required areas of expertise.
When situations arise, MAJ Lee says: “You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and believe in our training and principles.”
With his confident aura, he immediately cuts a figure of the very model of a naval officer – which is why it might come as a surprise to those unfamiliar with him.
A self-confessed laissez-faire student, his decision to sign on with the RSN – and to even try for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Merit Scholarship – came as a shock to many of his friends and parents.
But it was very much in character for MAJ Lee, who admits: “I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak.”
As his friends were pursuing more conventional careers in the corporate sector, he decided that he wanted to do something vastly different.
The decision was solidified for him after his stint in Officer Cadet School (OCS), where he was chosen to attend Midshipman School.
It was there that he fell in love not just with the SAF – specifically the RSN. The allure of sailing to overseas ports of call was already difficult enough to resist, but the camaraderie he experienced in OCS sealed the deal for him.
Finding camaraderie on the high seas
Camaraderie exists in all forms across all branches of the SAF, but the bond found in the RSN is a uniquely Navy thing, he insists. “When you do go out to sea, it really is just you and your crew – they are the ones you can depend on.”
It is for this reason that MAJ Lee views his crew as his second family, rather than just his colleagues. In keeping with this, he keeps his door open, helping any crew member personally and professionally.
For example, he balances the training schedule with the welfare of the crew in consideration – to ensure that they are well-trained while also considering their personal commitments.
MAJ Lee (first row, seventh from left) with his RSS Valiant crewmates celebrating their win for the RSN’s Best Fleet Unit in 2023. PHOTO: MINDEF SCHOLARSHIP CENTRE
With about 40 other servicemen and women on a 60m-long ship, people swiftly learn to give and take. Acts of kindness and consideration go that much further: even things as simple as letting others do their laundry first or packing food for the watch keepers.
And with each voyage MAJ Lee undertakes, this sentiment of family only becomes stronger.
“Time has only reinforced my belief that the kinship you get in the RSN is unlike anything else,” he says.
Navigating the waters of diplomatic relations
His time in the RSN has also reinforced his belief that a career in the RSN is one that is rigorous and challenging.
“You can learn and see how things are considered and formulated,” MAJ Lee says. “You’re given opportunities to take on responsibilities that give you a better sense of broader considerations, and appreciation of the work that we do.”
Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Politics & International Studies from the University of Warwick, as well as a Master’s in Political Science from Columbia University, his interest in world affairs took on practical significance when he realised the role that he could play in Singapore’s diplomatic relations.
The RSN’s exercises are often conducted in conjunction with navies from other countries. The successes of these exercises hinge on mutual understanding and collaboration, as well as good working relationships.
Building relationships with his counterparts from other navies took some getting used to.
“When you’re just starting out, it’s tough to know what the right way to approach someone is,” he says.
While a decade of being at the forefront of the RSN has made him more familiar with interacting with representatives from other nations’ navies, he has concluded that ultimately, there is no “right way”.
Just as every country has its own culture, so does every navy.
As such, trying to find the “right” approach is almost impossible. It is also this aspect of unpredictability that MAJ Lee thrives on.
“I think it aligns with my personal belief that many things in life are beyond our control, and we just have to deal with them, in the best way that we can, when we need to,” he says.
“That just means that there’s never any boring day on the job.”
About the SAF Merit Scholarship
The SAF Merit Scholarship opens doors to both academic excellence and military leadership, honing operational skills crucial for growth within the organisation.
Beyond covering tuition and academic fees, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend and allowances for essentials. It can also extend to a postgraduate Master’s programme, preparing scholars for up to six years to navigate the complexities of modern security landscapes.
