What began as a secondary-school extracurricular activity eventually became a defining part of Major Brandon Lim’s life, shaping his friendships, values and eventual career in the Singapore Armed Forces.
Brandon joined the National Cadet Corps as a teenager, initially drawn to the opportunity to experience activities that were unlike those offered elsewhere. He recalled being hesitant and unsure of himself when he first joined, but said experiences such as handling weapons, climbing mountains and taking part in military-themed courses quickly gave him reasons to stay.
The relationships he built with fellow cadets became just as important. Training together and facing challenges as a group helped develop a strong sense of camaraderie, which Brandon later described as one of the most meaningful parts of his NCC experience.
A major turning point came in 2010, when Brandon participated in Singapore’s National Day Parade as part of the SG45 celebrations. Marching onto the Padang with his fellow NCC cadets gave him a stronger sense that his involvement could extend beyond personal experience and contribute to something larger.
That experience helped shape his view of service and his future. By the end of secondary school, he had begun considering how the friendships and sense of community he developed through NCC could continue into the next stage of his life.
Brandon eventually joined the Singapore Armed Forces, viewing the transition as a natural continuation of the close-knit environment he had experienced in NCC. Sixteen years after first joining the cadet corps, he had risen to the rank of Major and was serving as an Assistant Director for Public and Digital Communications at the Ministry of Defence Communications Organisation.
The lessons from his NCC years have remained central to how he approaches challenges. Brandon identified grit, determination and resilience as qualities he developed through his experiences, while also emphasizing the importance of working through difficulties with the support of others.
His story comes as NCC marks its 125th anniversary in 2026. The organization is also preparing for changes designed to expose future cadets to a broader range of skills and experiences.
Under the NCC2030 transformation, the programme is expected to introduce more cross-service and technology-focused activities between 2027 and 2030. These are set to include areas such as robotics, drones and cybersecurity alongside traditional activities including fieldcraft, navigation and shooting. Cadets are also expected to have opportunities to experience activities linked to the Republic of Singapore Air Force and Republic of Singapore Navy.
A new NCC campus is also expected to be ready from 2032 at Bedok Camp near Sungei Bedok MRT, forming part of the organization’s longer-term development.
For Brandon, however, the significance of NCC extends beyond the programme itself. The experience helped a teenager who was initially uncertain about himself discover confidence, friendships and a possible path toward a career in national service.
His journey shows how an activity that begins as a school commitment can sometimes become an influence that continues well into adulthood — shaping not only what someone does, but also the communities and values they carry forward.
