"The SJI International spirit, a commitment to Faith, Service, Community, Excellence and Respect, became my guiding principle during my National Service. It reminded me to always look out for my fellow soldiers."

Lucas Lim, Class of 2023, has been awarded the prestigious Army NSF of the Year Award 2025 by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

This honour, presented to Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) who display exemplary conduct and make significant contributions, is not merely a recognition of personal achievement but a testament to the core values instilled in him by SJI International.

Lucas attributes his unwavering determination and drive to the foundational principle of leadership he learned at SJI International. He explains, "This pushes me to support and motivate everyone around me regardless of the circumstances."

As a Recce Trooper, Lucas's demanding role in Full-time National Service required exceptional resilience and dedication. He consistently demonstrated these qualities, earning swift admiration from his peers and commanders. His commitment was severely tested during a grueling reconnaissance course. While navigating dense jungle for hours, his team was pushed to the absolute limit. "We were extremely exhausted and felt that we were not able to carry on," Lucas recalled. Yet, his leadership helped them persevere, eventually reaching their objective.

This pivotal experience solidified a key lesson: "No matter how impossible a task may seem, the end goal is always achievable as long as you persevere through the hard times."

Lucas carried this mindset into his daily service, guided by the simple yet powerful motto: "perform 1% better every day." He explained that this allowed small, daily efforts to compound into significant improvements. This disciplined approach, combined with the emphasis on teamwork and collaborative spirit learned at SJI International, enabled him to easily adapt to the army's structured, regimented environment.

The SJI International values of Faith, Service, Community, Excellence and Respect became his constant guiding principles. "They reminded me to always help and look out for others," he shared. This translated into action, whether helping a tired comrade carry equipment during field exercises or offering encouragement when a peer was struggling.

Lucas emphasised that the award is more than a recognition of his hard work; it is evidence of how those core values are the foundation of success. "This award reflects the perseverance through the multitude of challenges I have faced during National Service, as well as the support from my commanders, friends, and family who inspired me to perform to the highest of my ability,” he said.

Standing on the foundation built during his formative years, Lucas's outstanding performance in training and an international exchange exercise demonstrated how the values of Faith, Service, Community, Excellence and Respect can lead to remarkable achievements in any walk of life.

Join us in congratulating Lucas on this remarkable achievement! Your service and inspiration make us immensely proud.