PUTTING HEARTS AND MINDS TO BEING GOOD LEADERS

A total of 1155 Specialist Cadets (SCTs) stood on parade in their ceremonial Number 1 uniform at Pasir Laba Camp on 22 Sep, for the 24th Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade.

Reviewed by Chief of Defence Force, Major-General (MG) Perry Lim, the graduation parade marked the completion of the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course (SCC), where SCTs trained under rigorous and realistic conditions to develop leadership and combat skills.

Addressing the new specialists at the parade, MG Lim spoke about the newfound responsibility that they would have to undertake, saying: "Soon, you will be entrusted with the lives of your fellow soldiers, sailors, and airmen in your respective units. Do not take this responsibility lightly."

"Start by putting your hearts and minds to all that you do," MG Lim said. "As a specialist and a leader, you must give nothing short of your best. Your soldiers, sailors, and airmen will look to you to uphold the qualities espoused in the Specialist creed. You will be in a position not only to train them, but also to guide and mentor them."

For SCT Muhamad Zuhaily Bin Hamran, an Armour section commander and Silver Bayonet recipient, he had experienced this first-hand, as he himself was inspired to excel by his sergeants during Basic Military Training. "They (my sergeants) are the ones who are closer to us," said SCT Zuhaily. "That kind of inspired me to be a specialist because I want to forge closer bonds with my men, and I want to work with them on the ground."

SCT Zuhaily believed that the SCC had equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to lead and command his men. However, it was not without its fair share of challenges. "My seven-day-and-six-night field camp was the longest time that I had been out in the field," he recalled. "It was physically and mentally draining but throughout the camp, I learnt a very important lesson, and that was teamwork and camaraderie."

"Throughout my long field camp I had my section mates and platoon mates to cheer me on and motivate me, and that was the best part about this challenging training."

SCT Amanda Thea Tan Hui Xian from the Infantry formation also faced challenges in the SCC. She said: "During the 32km route march as part of the Combat Skills Badge (course), I had some difficulties as I had shin splints and back cramps. It was really painful, but I told myself: if so many people can do it, why can't I?"

Added the Silver Bayonet recipient who was inspired by her brother and cousin both regulars in the Singapore Armed Forces - to sign on: "If I (as a female) didn't give up, then I thought the others would be less prone to giving up."

However, I couldn t have done it without the motivation of my course mates.