Former SGH nurse, 25, joins SAF & becomes sole female Colours Ensign at NDP 2026

In the 2026 National Day Parade (NDP), only one female will hold the prestigious title of Colours Ensign – 25-year-old Lam Hui Ling. To prepare for her role, Lam dedicated three months to building the necessary upper body strength to carry the 2m flag. During an interview with defence magazine Pioneer, she expressed her enthusiasm about marching in the NDP Colours Party, calling it one of the highlights of her military career.

Lam's journey into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) began in 2024, after she made a career shift from nursing at Singapore General Hospital. She chose to join the Army's Medical Corps as a Special Project Officer, allowing her to continue serving her community while utilizing her nursing skills and knowledge in a military setting.

The Colours Party, a key component of the NDP, consists of multiple flags marching onto the stage, followed by six Guard of Honour contingents. As a Colours Ensign, Lam will be tasked with performing the challenging move of lowering the Colours. This requires anchoring the 4kg flag using her arms, elbows, shoulders, and back. Throughout her preparation, Lam has relied on the support and positivity of her fellow Colours Party participants, acknowledging their role in keeping her motivated during the rigorous training sessions.

Looking forward to the NDP, Lam expressed her excitement to experience the energy and support of Singaporeans as they march onto the parade ground. She expressed her desire to give her best performance and contribute to making the parade a memorable event.