SINGAPORE – Over the years, Ms Sheila Manokaran has supported and uplifted young people as a volunteer and co-founder of River Valley Irregulars, a platform that organises workshops for young people.
She also helps protect Singapore’s seas for a week each year as a member of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteer Corps.
Ms Sheila, 30, was among 131 recipients of the 2025 Total Defence Advocate Award, which recognises companies, community organisations and individuals for their strong commitment and contributions to Total Defence.
The awards dinner, held on Nov 6 at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, was attended by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, and Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming.
Speaking to The Straits Times before the dinner, Ms Sheila, who was recognised for her contributions to economic, social and civil defence, said she joined the SAF Volunteer Corps in 2016 after organising several initiatives as a leader in Youth Corps Singapore.
“I felt a bit of burnout, like you keep on giving and giving. It’s just like, what else is there for me. And that’s when I wanted to try a different type of volunteering experience, so I joined the Volunteer Corps,” she said.
As members of her family are sea captains, Ms Sheila opted to join the navy and became a bridge watchkeeper, responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel.
She said the most impactful moment for her in the SAF Volunteer Corps was meeting her parents after her basic military training.
“I just burst into tears. I was like, ‘Okay, this is all worth it, this is my purpose of why I want to protect my nation and why it matters so much’,” she said.
Ms Sheila, who now sits on the advisory committee of Youth Corps Singapore, said she also sees working with youth as a contribution to Total Defence.
