Being The Parade Commander Of NDP 2024 Is The Highlight Of His Career

When it comes to a career, it’s rare to find an individual who is able to commit to and not stray from a single-minded pursuit.

Take Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Roger Cheong, for instance. Upon enlistment for national service, he did his Basic Military Training with the Naval Diving Unit (NDU). After clearing the Combat Diver Course, he signed on with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as an officer with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

LTC Roger (right) has been with the Republic of Singapore Navy for almost 24 years. | IMAGE: REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY

Today, almost 24 years later, his seaworthy journey with RSN has seen him rise through the ranks to become Commanding Officer, Frogman School and Underwater Demolition Group, Naval Diving Unit.

Very excitingly, LTC Roger is the Parade Commander of this year’s National Day Parade (NDP), but this isn’t his first rodeo. In NDP 2000, he was a Colours Ensign in the SAF Colours Party, a ceremonial unit that carries and displays the various flags representing different branches and units of the SAF. He assumed the role of Commander of the RSN Guard of Honour Contingent in NDP 2014, and was the Parade Commander Reserve at last year’s NDP.

This year, he will lead an impressive assembly of more than 2,100 participants in the Parade and Ceremony segment, including the SAF Colours Party, the Military Tattoo-Combined Band, and 35 marching contingents made up of:

• five Guard of Honour contingents
• five contingents from the SAF, Singapore Police Force, and Singapore Civil Defence Force
• one Volunteer Contingent comprising the SAF Volunteer Corps and Home Team Volunteer Network
• 10 contingents from youth uniformed groups
• 14 contingents from social and economic groups

We catch the 44-year-old father of two sons in between rigorous rehearsals to talk about helming this year’s parade, motivating participants, and… curry chicken.

You’re no stranger to NDP. Plus, two years ago, you were the Parade Commander of SAF Day Parade 2022 (pictured above). With all that experience, has it been plain sailing for you this year?

Actually, every rehearsal is new. 😂 You know, the nerves are always a constant for a Parade Commander. But as a Parade Commander, it’s important that we maintain our composure and our calmness so that we can lead the parade properly and effectively, and put on a good show in all the rehearsals and NDP itself.

Some people have the misconception that a Parade Commander just shouts commands. Let’s clear that up! What else does the role entail?

The Parade Commander bears great responsibilities. First of all, I’m in charge of commanding over 2,100 participants spread across 35 contingents. So, to ensure a precise and smooth conduct of the rehearsals leading to the parade itself, I have to work very closely with the Parade RSM [Regimental Sergeant Major], the trainers, the Qmasters [quartermasters] as well as the participants.

Beyond this, I actually spend a good amount of time to motivate the participants one-on-one at a group level as well as at the parade level through engagements. Once, there was a Girl Guide who came up to me to ask if my sword was real, and she was delighted when I allowed her to touch it. I feel that all these are important tasks that a Parade Commander must do to ensure the success of NDP.

LTC Roger (left) gets pointers from his trainer during an NDP rehearsal at the Padang. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE

Do you have colleagues or friends who were Parade Commanders, whom you can turn to for advice?

Oh yes, actually! There’s a chat group comprising members who are all past Parade Commanders. I’m part of that chat group now. So, as and when I require advice, I will check with the group or give them a call.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Stay calm, stay composed.

LTC Roger with his wife and two sons. | IMAGE: LTC CHEONG SOON YONG ROGER

Whom did you inform first about your appointment as the NDP Parade Commander?

My family! The Parade Commander has to be away [from home] a lot of the time to fulfil his responsibilities – it’s really a big commitment. So, I had to inform my family so that they would be aware of what was to come. I’m thankful to my wife, who has taken over my role as the driver to send my children to enrichment classes on Saturday. Beyond that, she has to manage the chores at home. So, definitely not easy for my family!

You have two boys, one aged 12, the other eight. What was their reaction to your appointment?

My older son was more nonchalant. He doesn’t really bother about my stuff. 😂 But my younger son is more enthusiastic. He’ll ask me a lot of questions – what is the role of the Parade Commander? What do you do? And he will follow me from behind when I practice my marching drills at home!

Being Parade Commander Reserve last year gave LTC Roger a chance to familiarise himself with the parade commands. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE

Tell us something interesting about the parade commands that you give.

The longest command I give is the last one – to tell the different contingents to turn in different directions before we march off. And it goes: “Baris, akan berjalan keluar dalam masa cepat. Kawalan kehormatan dahulu. Kawalan kehormatan ke kanan, yang lain ke kiri dan ke kanan pusing!”

It helps that I was Parade Commander Reserve last year; I used that opportunity to remember and to memorise the commands. So it became very natural for me this year as the Parade Commander to execute the commands.

LTC Roger in an NDP 2024 rehearsal with the SAF Colours Party. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE

You’ve been in service for more than two decades. What’s been the highlight of your career?

Being the Parade Commander of NDP 2024!

It might seem unrelated, but how has your stint in NDU prepared you for your role in NDP this year?

NDU has made me a very resilient and strong person. In NDU, our motto is “nothing stands in our way”, and I strongly believe that this is something that all naval divers live by, and is deeply ingrained in me. So, I believe that as long as [all the participants] stay together and stay united, we will do well and put up a very good parade on National Day.

LTC Roger (front row, third from left) and some of the other participants who will be involved in the Parade and Ceremony segment of NDP 2024. | IMAGE: NICK CHEE

NDP is a uniquely Singaporean experience. What would you say is the most Singaporean thing about you?

I like to eat curry chicken! 😂

We do too! Ok last question, any advice for next year’s Parade Commander?

Stay calm, be confident – and stay handsome!

LTC Roger leading the march-past in the Parade and Ceremony segment at an NDP 2024 Preview. | IMAGES: NICK CHEE

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