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Public Service Commission
The SAF Scholarship

COL John Samuel

24 November 2021

Commander, Joint Intelligence Command

John

Year Awarded Scholarship: 2005
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics & Economics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Postgraduate: Master of Science in Middle East Politics, SOAS University of London, United Kingdom

Submitted in November 2021

Attracted to the ideals of public service, my career has been a rich and fulfilling mission of diverse experiences—from the SAF to the Ministry of Trade and Industry—working under empowering bosses toward something greater than ourselves.
— John Samuel
Why did you apply for the PSC’s scholarship and ultimately choose to accept it?

I was attracted to the ideals of public service. Friends and seniors who had joined the service earlier gave me the confidence to give it a try.  

How has being a PSC scholarship holder impacted your academic journey and/or professional experiences?

Looking back, the effort put in to help us ease into the Public Service is humbling. These range from preparatory courses to supportive bosses. I am very grateful for the opportunities that the SAF has given me over the years. The tight-knit community of servicemen and women, diverse career experiences that help me grow as a person, the shared values and ethos of the military – these have been formative career experiences for which I am thankful for.  

Share with us some stories of your experiences as a public officer.

The military career comes with a good mix of operational roles and stints in headquarters (HQ). For example, I had the opportunity to serve as the Commanding Officer for one of the Air Force’s drone squadrons and as the Head of the SAF’s Force Transformation Office. We pick up different skills on the ground and in HQ. The diversity makes for a rich and fulfilling career.  

I am currently on secondment with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It is a privilege to work with highly professional and committed public service officers in another sector. This stint adds a different dimension to my learning, helping me to better understand the wider Public Service and view Singapore and our place in the world from a different vantage point.

Are there any misconceptions about working in the Public Service and/or being a PSC scholarship holder that you have come to realise are not true?

Perhaps that it’s very hierarchical? It is certainly a big organisation, but there are many good bosses who empower their people to shape and own that part of the organisation that is entrusted to them.

If there is one word you could use to describe the Public Service, what would it be and why?

Mission. It may be a bit cliché, but the shared sense of serving something greater than ourselves is real and it does unite us!

If you could give one piece of advice to prospective PSC scholarship applicants and/or recipients, what would it be?

If the stories and ethos of the Public Service resonate with you, do consider giving it a shot!

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