Law school leaves no assumption unchallenged. Students learn to interrogate every assumption, dissect evidence and anticipate counterarguments. No case can stand until it has been built on solid ground and stress-tested against opposing views. <\/p>\n
Military Expert 4 (ME4) Dexter Chow forged that habit of mind while studying law at Singapore Management University (SMU). Today, the client he serves is not a single individual or entity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe work that we do goes a long way in protecting Singapore,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is the most important client I could ever have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old is a senior military intelligence expert at the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), the fourth branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), specialising in developing a deep analytical acumen and understanding of Singapore\u2019s regional security environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a lawyer, you have to build your case, making assessments based on evidence and clear lines of logic,\u201d says ME4 Chow. As an intelligence officer, the work follows the same logic, he adds. <\/p>\n
ME4 Chow and his team pore over information from multiple sources, oftentimes contradictory, to form a clearer picture and flag concerns early.<\/p>\n
He says: \u201cThe bulk of our work involves understanding the information that we receive, making sense of it, and presenting our assessments to key decision makers as concisely as we can.\u201d <\/p>\n
The idea of serving at the frontline was never foreign to ME4 Chow. His father was a former member of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, while his brother is currently an officer in the Singapore Police Force.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remembered feeling proud of the work that my father did as a fire and rescue officer, as he was out there serving a greater good,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n
His days of enlistment deepened that impression. \u201cI really enjoyed the camaraderie and saw how much the organisation invests in its people. There is also the opportunity to exercise leadership qualities,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n After graduating from Singapore Management University with a bachelor of laws in 2022, ME4 Chow (middle), pictured here with his family, joined the SAF later that year.<\/p>\n PHOTO: COURTESY OF DEXTER CHOW<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n When he was picking a university course, he wanted to try something different. He believed he could serve in his own way by pursuing a career in law \u2013 defending others in the courtroom.<\/p>\n But even after four years of legal study at SMU and three internships \u2013 including one at the Attorney-General\u2019s Chambers \u2013 he found himself still irresistibly drawn to a career with the SAF. <\/p>\n \u201cI eventually decided that I would enjoy a career where I\u2019d have the capacity to lead a team, and focus on aspects beyond just honing my craft in a particular discipline,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, I wanted to be part of a greater cause.\u201d<\/p>\n On top of that, the SAF places a unique emphasis on values and mentorship, he continues.<\/p>\n In 2024, ME4 Chow received the Mid-Term SAF Merit Scholarship from then Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cWe even have a nine-month leadership course,\u201d he says. \u201cNot a lot of organisations out there would dedicate so much time solely to leadership training.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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