Bonding beyond convention: weekly training sessions with NERF blasters and tactical drills
In an HDB block in Pasir Ris, 19-year-old Abdullah Ahmad (codename: JagJag) and his father, 56-year-old Mohamad Munir (codename: Hosan), lead a family mission. Armed with NERF blasters, the family of seven children and two mothers calls themselves G.H.O.S.T.—an acronym for “Guts and Honour to Overcome Situations Tactfully.” Together, they practice coordinated “assaults” on makeshift targets, a unique form of family bonding shared on social media.
Started in 2021, these tactical war games have become a weekly family tradition. Moving in unison like soldiers, they traverse staircases and rough terrain at Tampines Quarry, applying strategic formations and teamwork. Each member has a codename and designated role. The family’s gear includes everything from military-style uniforms to durable boots, an investment Abdullah estimates has totaled between $2,000 to $3,000 over the years.
For Munir, a former Company Sergeant Major in the Singapore Armed Forces, the training is more than a game. It builds confidence, discipline, and mutual respect. His dining table doubles as a base where he briefs the family on each week’s operation, emphasizing teamwork, safety, and resilience. “It’s not about reliving my military days,” Munir notes. “This is about protecting my family and building family values.”
The family’s unconventional structure also plays a role in these bonding sessions. Munir’s two wives, Hayati and Bedah, support the training sessions by preparing meals and assisting with equipment. Hayati shared, “It’s good. It toughens them and brings us all closer.” Abdullah, who proudly embraces his unique family, says that having two mothers is the “best thing” that’s happened in his life, appreciating the unity and mutual support.
The family’s “training” style can invite misunderstandings, but their neighbors have come to recognize G.H.O.S.T. as a close-knit, united group. And while the activities may seem extreme, for this family, each trek and target practice session reinforces bonds that overcome challenges, both physical and social.
