FROM ONE NS GENERATION TO THE NEXT

What made this Basic Military Training (BMT) Graduation Parade (better known as the Passing Out Parade or POP) extra special?

The inclusion of a National Service (NS) unit that was standing down!

On 12 Apr, thousands braved the rain at Marina Bay Floating Platform to witness this special integrated parade. The parade not only marked the completion of 452nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment's (452 SAR's) Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) training cycle, but also the BMT of 4,200 recruits from the Basic Military Training Centre and the 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 GDS).

The parade was given added significance with the symbolic handing of NS duties from one generation to the next. Corporal (CPL) (NS) Lee Hong Chen represented his 600-strong battalion by handing the State Flag over to his nephew, Recruit (REC) Marcus Chin.

On handing over the State Flag, CPL (NS) Lee had mixed feelings.

Said the 32-year-old: "I feel very proud and privileged as I'm representing my battalion in handing over the national duties to the new graduating soldiers. At the same time, I feel pretty emotional as we're calling it an end for my battalion."

Prior to the parade, the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) gunner had also shared some of his NS experience with his nephew, especially now that the latter has completed his BMT.

"I told my nephew...what he went through was the first three months of his NS cycle but there's still more to come and he can expect greater bonding (with his peers) than what he had during BMT."

For REC Chin, receiving the flag from his uncle in front of thousands of witnesses instilled a greater sense of pride and responsibility in him. Before he enlisted, the 19-year-old from Dragon Company never thought much about having to protect the nation. However, going through BMT has changed all that.

"I feel that now, my generation has to take more responsibilities to defend the nation and we have to step up as the older generation is stepping down. And always keep up the call of duty."

Like his uncle, this graduation did not happen without him getting a little emotional. REC Chin told cyberpioneer that just before their 24km route march, his platoon took one last look at their company line and he "felt like tearing up". To him, BMT may not have been a smooth-sailing journey, but it was definitely a memorable and enjoyable one.

And now, he was ready to move forward.

"Now that my BMT has been completed, I feel that it's time to look forward to the next stage of my NS career," said REC Chin.

Similarly, REC S Kurumbaesan, who was awarded Best Trainee in Taurus Company, felt that BMT was both enriching and fun.

"Many people associate BMT with torture and 'tekan' (punishments) but you get to make a lot of friends. And these people are the ones who make your BMT journey more enjoyable."

The 18-year-old explained that because of his platoon mates, physical training sessions became easier because everyone was doing them together. And if things got tough, his peers would encourage one another and push each other on.

"It was times like that in BMT that taught me life is not all about carrying just yourself, but carrying the man next to you," he added.

When asked if he had any advice for the incoming enlistees, REC Kurumbaesan said: "Just be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not just because you think that persona will get you into command school. Only if you stay true to who you are, then you might just get what you want."

REC Kurumbaesan's father, Master Warrant (MWO) Sathiamoorthy, had some advice for the next phase of his training: "The next stage is more of training yourself to be a complete soldier. Enjoy that second stage. It will make you a stronger, more capable man."

The graduation parade was graced by Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC Alex Yam, Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Perry Lim, senior commanders as well as family and friends of the graduands.