This Father-Son Duo Shares A Parade Ground At NDP 2025 - And A 'Mini RSAF' Of Parrots At Home

Singapore will be turning 60 on 9 Aug 2025 – so we can expect nothing less than a big, big birthday bash.

This year's National Day Parade at the Padang won't just be big on spectacle, it'll be straight-up massive. The Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment alone will feature a record-breaking 40 marching contingents, around 2,100 participants, and history-making moments: the SCDF’s first-ever Guard of Honour (GOH), the SAF Volunteer Corps’ first full marching contingent, and enough precision footwork to make any drill sergeant proud.

Amid all the pomp, pageantry and parade polish, we found a quieter, quirkier story that stands out – one that’s about protocol, people and... parrots?

Marching side by side in the GOH contingent from the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) are 48-year-old ME5 Jesper Quek Chin Peng (the GOH Contingent Commander for the DIS), and his son, 20-year-old ME4A Timothy Quek Jun Yu (an NDP first-timer in the same contingent). Not only is the pair serving Singapore together, the two also share command of an unexpected “unit” at home: 12 parrots they affectionately call their "mini RSAF".

ME5 Jesper worked in the private sector for about 12 years before he joined the DIS in 2022. Prior to that, he was a regular in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) for 10 years. ME4A Timothy has just started his journey as a Military Intelligence Expert in the DIS.

We talk (and squawk) with the pair about discipline, who has the sharper march, and – with all the intensive NDP training – how their feathered friends even get any airtime with them! 🦜

ME4A Timothy (6th from left) and ME5 Jesper (7th from left), with other Parade and Ceremony participants. | IMAGE: NDP 2025 EXC

What’s it like stepping onto the Padang together this year – not just as soldiers, but as father and son?

ME5 Jesper: When [Timothy] was younger, we would watch the NDP together every year, but we didn't really think that we would one day be marching together at the Padang itself.

ME4A Timothy: I’m very excited to be able to march at my first NDP together with my father. He’s usually soft spoken. Now marching together and seeing him talking to the other GOH – it’s cool to see my dad stepping up and being more open. On the parade ground, it’s not just about being father-and-son but also about representing DIS.

When you’re not out there doing drills, what do you do to chill?

ME4A Timothy: One of the main things we do together is take care of our parrots. We have quite a few at home – 12, in fact – and we bring them out for sunlight regularly.

ME5 Jesper: They need a certain amount of time under the sun, so we’ll bring them out at the same time. We spray them with water because that's how they “shower”.

Wait, what? Please explain how your living room became a parrot party.

ME4A Timothy: We started with one parrot. Then, of course, we wanted to get another as a companion. Then we ended up adopting another parrot. We took over from another owner who was relocating. It led to us buying and adopting a few more birds.

ME5 Jesper: Our mini “air force” at home.

Precious family time. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@DEFENCEPIONEERSG

IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@DEFENCEPIONEERSG

We know your friends are feathered – but have they given you any, um, hairy experiences?

ME4A Timothy: Oh yes. One of our first parrots is quite cheeky. There was a time we left the window open – we didn’t think he’d fly out, but he did. It took us almost four hours to find him. At one point, we spotted him on the ledge of a nearby building, just squawking loudly. We tried to calm him down, but I think he was scared. Eventually, my dad found him inside someone else’s flat – stealing fruit! But when my dad called his name, he just walked over and jumped onto his hand. Very lucky!

What was NDP training like? Any sunburns? Any drama?

ME4A Timothy: Training started around end-April. The most challenging aspect was transitioning from an air-con office to standing under the hot sun for long hours! In the first few sessions, the hardest part was adapting to the heat. According to my dad, he said that, compared to last year, there’s been less rain this time.

ME5 Jesper: Even though I marched last year, your body still needs time to recondition each time. And every year’s layout and ground set-up are different, so we have to adapt.

Be honest – who’s got the sharper march?

ME4A Timothy: I will give it to him. When I started marching, other trainers corrected my arm swing quite a lot. Among other things, I had difficulty locking my elbow. When my dad marches, his arm is so straight!

ME5 Jesper: I went through the same journey last year. The trainers will correct everyone – including the contingent commander.

NDP 2025 training might have eaten into precious family time, but the pride and joy of the end result is worth it! | IMAGE: NG KAI

What's the one moment during NDP that always gives you the feels?

ME4A Timothy: That proud moment when you can stand on the Padang ground, looking at the spectators all around you. Yeah. That is the moment! You won't get that feeling if you don’t march in a contingent.

ME5 Jesper: For me, I believe it’s about the journey. All those hours of standing under the hot sun, all the effort, sweat, everything – all the training is just for that one NDP on the actual day.

NDP training isn’t exactly a walk in the park. What have you had to give up to be part of it?

ME4A Timothy: My Saturday time! Which has been used for training. So I don't get to spend time with my mum, my sister, my brother. And during training on weekdays, I reach home around 9pm-plus. I usually just grab a bite, shower, then rest for the next day.

ME5 Jesper: Same here. Like what Timothy mentioned, it’s [a loss of] family time. On non-training days, I have to go back to the office to clear some emails.

With all that marching, when do the parrots even get their, ahem, airtime?

ME4A Timothy: We only get to bring them out on Sundays or public holidays now. That’s when most of us are free.

ME5 Jesper: Sometimes we use a cart, or we just carry them on our shoulders or hands. When it’s nearby, like just downstairs, we can manage all 12.

Last question – what does this year's NDP theme, “Majulah Singapore”, mean to you?

ME4A Timothy: It means continuing the legacy. Knowing the hardships the pioneer generations went through to get us to SG60 – and how my generation needs to step up and keep Singapore moving forward.

ME5 Jesper: It’s about unity. Not just about the parade, but how every Singaporean from different walks of life, come together to celebrate SG60.

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