{"id":31537,"date":"2023-10-10T09:49:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T01:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/?p=31537"},"modified":"2024-02-21T12:08:01","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T04:08:01","slug":"embracing-ns-2lt-nihaal-manafs-personal-odyssey-from-recruit-to-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hometeamns.sg\/frontline\/embracing-ns-2lt-nihaal-manafs-personal-odyssey-from-recruit-to-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"Embracing NS: 2LT Nihaal Manaf\u2019s personal odyssey from recruit to leader"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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2LT Nihaal Manaf\u2019s NS journey is about overcoming challenges, adapting to new environments, and emerging stronger from the process.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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TEXT & PHOTOS: SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Imagine returning home for your National Service (NS) stint after studying abroad for years. 2LT Nihaal Manaf thought that he could adapt well to NS. After all, he had lived in a bustling hostel during his overseas studies and was no stranger to living with others and following structured routines.<\/p>

Little did he expect that NS would bring about an extra dimension \u2013 batchmates from diverse backgrounds who came from different walks of life. As Nihaal got more comfortable with his new \u201cfamily\u201d in SCDF, he gradually adapted to NS.<\/p>

This is his inspiring story.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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THE WAITING GAME<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Anticipation and various unknowns filled Nihaal\u2019s mind, in the months he waited for his NS enlistment letter. As he waited for enlistment day, Nihaal felt physically and mentally unprepared for the journey ahead.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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GRADUAL REINTEGRATION<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Before enlistment, Nihaal\u2019s interactions were mainly limited to his close family members and friends. Compared to this period of relative isolation, the communal nature of NS took him a while to get used to. Conversations buzzed around him in languages that he could not understand well. As Nihaal thought about the friends that he had left behind, loneliness crept in. It was a reminder that adjustments take time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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FACING <\/strong>CHALLENGES HEAD ON<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Two challenges loomed ahead for Nihaal: Physical fitness and regimentation. Thanks to the support of his family and a small circle of friends, Nihaal found the strength to meet these challenges head on. As the days became weeks, Nihaal grew more confident and comfortable around his batchmates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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THE ESSENCE OF NS<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Nihaal has come a long way and learnt many valuable lessons. \u201cThe key to doing well in NS lies in consistent mental preparation and progressive physical training,\u201d he said.<\/p>

\u201cThriving amid discomfort and stretching \u00a0personal limits gradually fosters resilience. Throughout the process, it is also crucial to remain positive, to quash any self-doubt and focus on the greater purpose of National Service.\u201d<\/p>

Today, Nihaal is a 2nd<\/sup> Lieutenant (2LT) who leads his own platoon. He has served as a frontliner, leader, and now, a guide to newcomers \u2013 Nihaal\u2019s journey is one of many inspiring stories of how NS can transform lives.<\/p>

Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the\u00a0<\/em>HomeTeamNS Mobile App<\/em><\/a>, and update your communication preference to \u2018Receive Digital Frontline Magazine\u2019, through the App Settings.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2LT Nihaal Manaf\u2019s NS journey is about overcoming challenges, adapting to new environments, and emerging stronger from the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":31538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-force"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEmbracing NS: A personal odyssey from recruit to leader - Frontline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"2LT Nihaal Manaf\u2019s NS journey is one of facing up to challenges, adapting to new environments and emerging stronger and fitter.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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