Meet Chang Ming Youn - accountant turned commando

“I want to serve my country.” 

This was Chang Ming Youn’s empathic response when a senior officer asked what prompted him to join the army.

He was among those who completed the 12-week basic commando training.

In a video shared by the army, Chang, when quizzed by the officer, said he hails from Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, and holds a degree in accounting from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

The officer, Major General Adi Ridzwan Abdullah, who presented him with the green beret and dagger, remarked that it has been a long time since a Chinese Malaysian passed basic commando training.

“We have not had a Chinese for a long time,” he said, patting the soldier on the shoulder and telling him “well done”.

In an interview later, Chang, whose parents were present at the ceremony, said he was a member of the Askar Wataniah 515 reserve force.

The 25-year-old soldier said after learning about the elite commando unit, he decided to challenge himself to see if he could make the cut.

“I wanted to show myself that although I am from the reserve force, I too can become a commando.

“My aim is to continue serving as a commando and to enhance my knowledge, take up courses to hone my expertise and to continue serving as a commando for the rest of my life,” he added.

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