For the latest edition of Every Singaporean Son, which first premiered in 2010, the cameras head to the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Specialist Cadet School (SCS), offering rare insights into one of the SAF’s most demanding leadership programmes.
In its fourth season, Every Singaporean Son (ESS4) goes beyond physical endurance to capture the unseen emotional and mental pressures faced by our young soldiers training to become specialists. Over eight episodes, the documentary series follows ten cadets from diverse backgrounds as they navigate a rigorous 22-week journey where leadership is tested, mistakes carry consequences, and growth is an uphill task.
Unlike previous seasons, ESS4 adopts a more intimate, trainee-led storytelling approach. The cadets narrate their own experiences, drawing viewers directly into moments of uncertainty, failure, and forged confidence as they progress through Foundation, Professional, and Combined Arms Terms in SCS after completing their Basic Military Training (BMT). From Tekong to Pasir Laba Camp, the series charts their transformation from ordinary servicemen and servicewomen into leaders.
The season also shines a light on vocations rarely seen on screen, including Singapore Combat Engineers and Army Intelligence, alongside the Infantry formation. Among the cadets featured is Specialist Cadet (SCT) Jackson Tan, who sets his sights on the coveted Golden Bayonet while grappling with the pressure to perform and his occasionally impulsive nature. Another cadet, SCT Ali Redza, challenges himself to earn recognition by clinching the distinguished marksmanship award. Inspired by his older brothers who have gone through the course before him, he hopes to set an example for his younger brother.
“This season isn’t just about training soldiers,” said Susanna Kulatissa, Creative Director of So Drama! Entertainment. “It spotlights the unique stories and challenges faced by our Specialist Cadets (SCTs). By placing their voices front and centre, we hear first-hand about the personal motivations and breakthroughs that shape each cadet’s journey.”
Executive Producer Stephen Vergara, who spent more than six months with the cadets, added, “The most powerful moments for me were not the end-point milestones. They were the quieter ones, times when the boys realised they had made a mistake, took corrective action, and kept going. You watch them deal with doubt, frustration, and failure, but also slowly grow into leaders. That’s where you really see how leaders are moulded and the hard work that goes behind it.”
“Our Warrant Officers and Specialists are the backbone of our operational and training capabilities,” said COL Ivan Du, Commander, Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute (SWI). “We hope that ESS4 will offer a deeper understanding of the rigour, discipline and commitment that underpin leadership development in the Specialist Cadet Course,” he added.
Beyond the training grounds, Every Singaporean Son IV reflects the broader realities facing young Singaporeans today: learning responsibility early, managing expectations, and growing under pressure. Through camaraderie, vulnerability and perseverance, the cadets’ stories mirror challenges that resonate far beyond National Service.
