Quick-thinking officer saves recruit

Report by Gail Wan
Photos by Chai Sian Liang and Aloysius Tan

As the platoon commander of his unit, Second Lieutenant (2LT) Kok Khew Fai (right) was tasked as the Bay Safety Officer, overseeing 50 recruits during a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) hand grenade live throw in Pulau Tekong on 8 Mar.

2LT Kok stood next to the recruits at the throwing bay as one after another, they took turns to throw a live Singapore Fragmentation Grenade 87 towards the target, at his command.

However, mid-way through the exercise, an armed explosive slipped out of the hand of one of the recruits as he attempted to throw it forward. It landed about four metres behind where they were standing.

With six seconds to go before the grenade blew up, 2LT Kok’s instinct and training kicked in as he pushed the recruit to the ground and lay prone over him – an ideal posture as practised during the SAF-mandated immediate action drills."It all happened so fast, I didn't really have time to think," said 2LT Kok. "I just got him flat on the ground, lay prone over him and tried to stay very still as we had practised."

Thanks to 2LT Kok's quick thinking and the precautionary high walls of the throwing bay, both men were protected from the fragmented shrapnel and escaped with nary a scratch.

For his selfless act, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean presented the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act or the Pingat Jasa Perwira (Tentera) to 2LT Kok during the Officer Cadet Course commissioning parade at SAFTI Military Institute on 14 Sep.

The medal is conferred on any individual who has performed an act or a series of acts of courage without regard for his personal safety. It is a State award approved by the President of the Republic of Singapore and gazetted on 25 Jun 1997.

2LT Kok is the first Full-Time National Serviceman (NSF) to receive this award. Five SAF personnel and one serviceman from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have been previously awarded this medal.

"In the SAF, we provide our soldiers with the best equipment, and we train them well. But ultimately, it is the readiness and commitment of our soldiers, especially those in leadership positions, to do their duty which makes the real difference," said Mr Teo.

"2LT Kok Khew Fai's actions epitomised what it means to be an SAF Officer - well trained and prepared, quick thinking and decisive, brave and selfless."

He added: "2LT Kok performed his duty resolutely – to lead his men into action, and to protect them when in danger."

For 2LT Kok, who will complete his full-time National Service in November this year, he was quick to play down his newfound "hero status" and said that what he did was "nothing special".

"I am not a hero. I was merely doing my duty, looking after my men and doing what I was supposed to do," he said. "Anyone would have done the same thing.

"This is the first grenade incident to occur since the throwing bays were enhanced with new safety features in 2004, and only the sixth incident in the 41 years since National Service was introduced in Singapore.

Extracted from http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2008/September/16sep08_news.html

Saw this article, feel both respect and envy for this officer. I never done something so meaningful and sacrificial in my 20 years. Hope this incident can inspire other officer to lead and

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