RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

Captain (CPT) Mohammad Rashik has finally graduated from the gruelling Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Ranger Course. However, when cyberpioneer met up with him, he revealed a secret that nobody knew.

Midway through the course, he thought of quitting.

CPT Rashik, an infantry officer, felt that, as he had just rejoined the SAF after completing his university studies, he still had a lot of catching up to do, in terms of his military knowledge.

But he persevered, encouraged by his parents.

"I just encouraged him to try his best to go on. Whatever that we want to do, we must try our best," his father, Mr Omar bin Bakar, said, beaming with pride.

"We missed him when he wasn't around," said CPT Rashik's mother, Mdm Rumlah binte Yassin, who added that although he is now darker, "It's more important that he's in good health and safe."

Together with the other trainees, CPT Rashik successfully completed the Ranger course, which is also known as the toughest course in the SAF.

The trainees were taught small unit tactics and through realistic simulation of combat conditions, given the opportunity to hone their leadership skills under various kinds of weather and terrain.

They also learnt the various aspects of a Ranger mission. These include combat swims, crossing of water obstacles, aerial resupply and heli-insertion.

Topping the 34th edition of the course was CPT Justin Teo from the Commandos. He emerged as the Distinguished Honour Graduate after showing a high level of knowledge during the missions and exemplary leadership qualities. Family members and loved ones were invited to the graduation ceremony held at Pasir Ris Camp on 17 Oct. They also helped the trainees pin on the Ranger tabs.

As CPT Teo best put it in his valedictory speech: "Let us never forget this day when the coveted Ranger tab was presented to us. It not only signifies that we are Ranger-trained, but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in our military career as a Ranger, one which the others look up to."

Recognise the soldier in the first row standing fourth from the left? This photo was taken in 1989 during the Ranger course then and the soldier is none other than current Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong.

He was the guest-of-honour at the graduation ceremony and he told the trainees that as a Ranger, he could "share and appreciate the sense of achievement and pride that our new Rangers here feel".

Noting that there were trainees from the Infantry and Armour formations as well as the Naval Diving Unit, MG Neo said: "This mix of Services and arms goes to show that more in the SAF are prepared to take up the personal challenge to test their limits so that we can serve SAF better by being stronger individually."

He also reminded the new Rangers: "Tell your success stories to your soldiers and colleagues to inspire them.

"With sufficient preparation and the right motivation, I believe that this challenge is surmountable, as you have so aptly proven."

Stressing the importance of people in the Third-Generation Army, MG Neo mentioned that it "is not just about high-tech weapons and equipment" and without our people, "our weapons and equipment become meaningless."

He said: "The utmost emphasis is placed on the training and development of our commanders and soldiers.

"The Ranger Course is the epitome of tactical leadership training and it develops strong and capable small-unit leaders who are able to bring more to the battlefield."