A NEW JOURNEY FOR 1,287 SPECIALIST CADETS

Even with a heavy drizzle, the view of more than 1,000 berets against the sky was a grand sight to behold. As families and friends looked on, the 1,287 graduands at the 9th Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade in Pasir Laba camp on 16 Dec celebrated in jubilation, marking the end of their 22-week course.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, who was Reviewing Officer (RO) at the parade, noted that the roles of the specialists and warrant officers have evolved as military tactics and technologies changed.

This means that they have to be well-equipped in the fundamentals of their jobs and be technically and tactically proficient at what they do, he added.

Dr Maliki also said that the specialists and warrant officers form the backbone of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and that they were the "critical link" between the soldiers and the SAF leadership. To this end, they were to be guides, friends and mentors to their men.

"Engage your men regularly, and explain to them the rationale of what they are doing, so that they have the mental agility, battlefield awareness, and combat skills to operate effectively as adaptive, thinking soldiers," he said.

To hone both their physical and mental abilities, each cadet had to go through the 8-week foundation course, which trained them in basic leadership skills, followed by 13 weeks of specialised combat training in their respective formations. The cadets then came together again in the last week of the Specialist Cadet Course (SCS) to consolidate and share their experiences, and at the same time, deepen their knowledge of the other vocations in the SAF.

SCT Srinivasan Shyam, who stood out among his peers and received a Golden Bayonet award, said he was much looking forward to carrying out his next appointment as a section commander at 6^th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment.

During the SCS field drills, the 23-year-old had the opportunity to lead his section mates on several occasions. "There was a very deep sense of purpose when a section went out and tried to accomplish its mission, and this is something I'm thrilled by," he said.

"I saw everyone trying their best during the mission. It generated a lot of positive energy and was a very enjoyable experience. I want to take this positivity and energy back to the six men I'll be leading."

His sentiments were shared by 25-year-old SCT Muhammad Noh Bin Muti. The infantry cadet, who was also awarded the Golden Bayonet, hopes to instil the SAF's core values in the men he will be leading when he takes on the role of section commander at Headquarters Guards.

"The skills I learnt enable me to be decisive and to lead, train and prepare (my men) for what's ahead," he said.

As leader sergeant-major, SCT Muhammad Noh led a group of 163 men, many of whom were younger than him by several years. "It felt awkward at first, giving orders. So I burned the midnight oil to read up and find out what their families are like, and to talk to them personally. As the days and weeks went by, I got to know them on a personal basis."

SCT Muhammad Nor, who was also a contingent commander at the parade, added: "I'll miss the other cadets. We suffered, endured and experienced happy and tough times together. These guys are my little brothers."