988 ATTAIN THE RANK OF 3RD SERGEANT

It was a journey of transformation for 988 specialist cadets as they were put through 22 weeks of rigorous and realistic training. And all that came to fruition on 17 Dec as the cadets graduated from the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Fifth Specialist Cadet Course, ready to take up the responsibility of leaders and commanders as 3rd sergeants.

At the Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp, reviewing officer Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee highlighted that the specialists perform a crucial role to act as the "critical link between soldiers and the SAF leadership".

Speaking at the parade, Assoc Prof Koo said: "As their commander and leader, you will have to lead them with conviction and lead them by example. To earn their trust, you must ensure that you are technically and tactically proficient all the time."

He also encouraged the graduating specialists to forge a strong partnership with their officers to create a cohesive unit.

Among this batch of graduands is the pioneer batch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) specialists who took part in the recent Exercise Daring Warrior held in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, United States, as part of their training.

3rd Sergeant (3SG) Edmund Ho, who was one of the 35 artillery specialists who went to the US, felt very honoured to have been given a chance to participate in the exercise.

"It was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with the US Army and participate in the live-firing exercise. It was very realistic training," he said.

3SG Ho, who received the Golden Bayonet for being the top cadet of his formation, added: "Now that I've graduated and become a commander, I feel really proud to be a HIMARS specialist."

Fellow Golden Bayonet award recipient 3SG Ahmad Rafiuddin Bin Abdul Rashid told cyberpioneer that the course changed his views on his vocation - supply and transport.

"Prior to the course, I had a pre-conceived notion that soldiers who were posted to logistics were those who were not combat-fit and lazy. However, after I went through the transport supervisor course, the warrant officers and officers instilled in me that our role was to form a stable and reliable support line for the army to operate smoothly," he said.

3SG Ahmad added that once he realised how important his role was, his mindset began to change and he saw the course as an opportunity to excel and to do his best. He also felt that this whole experience has made him proud to be a logistics specialist.

For 3SG Gautham Palaniappan, the course gave him the confidence that he never had.

"Before I entered the army, I did not have much confidence and I could not even lead or gain the trust of my fellow classmates back in school. However, my confidence level increased tremendously when I was thrown the post of Leader Sergeant Major when we were going through a navigation exercise during outfield training," he explained.

3SG Gautham, who will be taking on the post of a military police instructor, said that during that period of leadership, he had to lead a company of 140 fellow trainees as well as to complete challenges that were tasked to them within a given timeframe.

Equipped with leadership and combat skills, as well as a deeper understanding of other Army vocations in the SAF, these newly-minted 3rd sergeants are definitely ready to take up the responsibilities and leadership that comes with being a 3rd Generation SAF soldier.

3SG Gautham s parents proudly pinning the chevrons on his uniform.

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