Joseph Schooling admits he had “negative mindset” when he enlisted for NS in 2022

SINGAPORE: Joseph Schooling, Singapore's Olympian Gold-medallist acknowledged having a "negative mindset" upon enlisting for national service in January 2022, having received a long deferment since 2014.

During a media sharing session on Tuesday (2 April), a reporter from Singapore media TODAY questioned Schooling about the role of national service in his decision to retire and how it affected his plans.

In response,  the 28-year-old swimmer admitted to initially struggling with the adjustment to military life, describing the first three months of basic military training as the hardest of his life.

“For the first three months, the hardest three months of my life,” he said.

“All of a sudden, one morning after I finished more or less halfway through my BMT (basic military training), I woke up and felt like, you are in this situation like: I have been countless times in a swimming sense, you just got a role with it, you don't fight the tide you swim with it."

“As Singaporean males, this is something we all have to do. You either come to terms or you will have a hard time.”

In reflecting on the impact of National Service (NS) on his career, Joseph Schooling expressed that while NS presented challenges, he doesn't view it as a direct hindrance.

He acknowledged the support received from within the military, particularly from the Navy, which surprised him and garnered his respect.

Schooling highlighted the dedication of those in NS, recognizing their commitment despite personal sacrifices.

"They are military, they need to be bound by very strict sets of rules; they need to defend us, that is their job. "

"It's the same thing for me in swimming: go all out when you can. Their job is to make sure we're safe."

While acknowledged improvements can be made, Schooling asserted that NS did not end his career.

“Can we do things better? Yes. But no, NS did not end my career. I ended it on my own terms,” Schooling asserted.

When asked how his late father, Colin Schooling would react to his decision to retire, Joseph Schooling humorously imagines him suggesting "One more Olympics can lah."

But Schooling said he would respond, “I think there’s a point in time where it’s time to do something else. And also on the flip side, get to spend more time and play golf with you."

“I’d definitely pull that card – I think he’d see things my way.”

Colin Schooling passed away from liver cancer in November 2021 at the age of 73.

Regarding his potential involvement in politics, Schooling responds with a laugh, “I mean, never say never."

“But for right now, I am focused on the business ventures; on the personal side. "

"If I am lucky enough one day to be in that spot, then so be it. You can’t put a limit on anything."

“But... I am very happy playing golf, my swim school, and helping my mum out at the office. It’s my turn to be a normal kid... or a normal guy.”

Schooling hoped his achievements inspire fellow Singaporeans.

“I hope that this means we can challenge the traditional career pathways. There is more than one way to be successful."

“Most importantly, we’ve got to do things that we ourselves are proud of – whether or not it’s donating all your time for a non-profit organisation or being a big-time chief executive of a company,” he added.

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