From factory floor to frontline: Janna Rahiman’s bold new career
What made this 48‑year‑old grandmother so determined?
It all began, oddly, when she stepped into the indoor gun range at the Aetos Complex on Corporation Drive. The crackle of gunfire and the unmistakable sting of gunpowder had her heart pounding and her nerves trembling. Who’d think that a moment of fear could spark such ambition?
Janna—Madam Janna Rahiman, a proud grandma of four—was already used to juggling tough jobs. She spent years grinding out work as a factory worker, cashier, cabby, and freelance property agent. After all those roles, she stared at herself in the mirror and declared: “I’m finally ready to defend the borders.”
Enter Workforce Singapore’s Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), and her life took a sharp turn toward the badge.
Training day fever—literally
- September: began her 3‑month intensive course at Aetos’ academy.
- First two weeks: hit the sick line—fevers, aches, a constant feeling of “I’m not ready.”
- Live‑fire day: “I trembled, felt speechless.”
- Post‑training: Prescription‑proficiencies in baton usage, hand‑to‑hand, and traffic control.
Despite these hurdles, the stubborn flame inside her didn’t snap. She persisted, earnestly fighting off far‑reaching doubts.
The turning point: her son’s pep talk
When her 26‑year‑old son chatted about a potential security job, Janna’s eyes lit up. “I LOVE IT!” she exclaimed, going straight to the police for clearance and a thorough health exam. The clear‑sky sign? Yes, she passed both.
Putting her new badge on display
Now at the Woodlands Checkpoint, Janna feels like a contemporary warrior—thanks to her crisp Aetos uniform. Tasks on the daily menu include:
- Ensuring every bag is checked and no stray items are left behind.
- Managing the ebb and flow of traffic over vehicle clearance counters.
- Roaming the perimeter to keep the zone safe.
She talked about the “newfound respect” she feels for everyone behind the security gate and how their sacrifices are pivotal to nation‑wide peace.
Senior strength, late‑career glory
At 48, Janna is the oldest in her PCP cohort, yet she never sensed her age as an impediment. Her family—her aide,
- Son: massages her post‑training soreness.
- Husband: a Grab driver who rides her into work and back.
- Daughter (32) with four kids: packs lunch and moral support.
And while she looks forward to learning what the next day brings—whether it’s baton drills or self‑defence—Janna keeps laughing at herself, always in a light‑hearted yet heroic spirit.
“I used to meet people from the outside.” She says, “Now I help people protect their homeland.” And that, when we’re ready to rest at night, sets her heart at ease.
