OPS & TRAINING
RECRUITS GET THEIR GUNS AT NATIONAL MONUMENT
15 Aug 2007
Young tribesmen once received their personal weapons upon maturity in a ceremony held late at night to hide their numbers from enemy tribes.
This ancient tradition continues today among recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), marking their development into committed soldiers.
For the first time, newly-enlisted recruits from 6th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR), received their SAR-21 rifles in a parade at the former Ford Motor Factory on 16 Jul.
The factory was where the British forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese army in 1942. It was refurbished and reopened last year as Memories at Old Ford Factory, a World War II gallery cum archive.
"Holding the ceremony at the old Ford factory enhances the belief that the responsibility of defending the nation lies with those who are born in this country," said Captain Mohamad Effendy bin Ja'afar, an Officer Commanding at 6 SIR.
The historic venue, he added, also "lends greater meaning to the entire ceremony" and "breaks the monotony" of conducting the ceremony in camp.
Officiating at the evening parade was 6 SIR's Commanding Officer, Major (MAJ) Ong Kok Wui, who presented the representatives of Echo and Foxtrot companies with their guns.
In his speech, MAJ Ong noted that "no nation can remain dignified and free without having its own defence force" and in defending Singapore, "there must be a sense of fighting spirit and loyalty".
"At all times, you must maintain your weapon in good condition and guard it with your life. Only then, in times of operation, will it help you to accomplish your mission, and it may even save your life," he added.
Getting used to the regimentation of Basic Military Training was "quite a challenge" for Echo delegate Recruit (REC) Ryan Paul Lee, who felt proud to get his rifle on this occasion.
"It's an experience of a lifetime, and I think it'll be interesting to learn how to assemble the weapon, how it works and how to take care of it," said the 19-year-old ITE graduate.
This ancient tradition continues today among recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), marking their development into committed soldiers.
For the first time, newly-enlisted recruits from 6th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR), received their SAR-21 rifles in a parade at the former Ford Motor Factory on 16 Jul.
The factory was where the British forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese army in 1942. It was refurbished and reopened last year as Memories at Old Ford Factory, a World War II gallery cum archive.
"Holding the ceremony at the old Ford factory enhances the belief that the responsibility of defending the nation lies with those who are born in this country," said Captain Mohamad Effendy bin Ja'afar, an Officer Commanding at 6 SIR.
The historic venue, he added, also "lends greater meaning to the entire ceremony" and "breaks the monotony" of conducting the ceremony in camp.
Officiating at the evening parade was 6 SIR's Commanding Officer, Major (MAJ) Ong Kok Wui, who presented the representatives of Echo and Foxtrot companies with their guns.
In his speech, MAJ Ong noted that "no nation can remain dignified and free without having its own defence force" and in defending Singapore, "there must be a sense of fighting spirit and loyalty".
"At all times, you must maintain your weapon in good condition and guard it with your life. Only then, in times of operation, will it help you to accomplish your mission, and it may even save your life," he added.
Getting used to the regimentation of Basic Military Training was "quite a challenge" for Echo delegate Recruit (REC) Ryan Paul Lee, who felt proud to get his rifle on this occasion.
"It's an experience of a lifetime, and I think it'll be interesting to learn how to assemble the weapon, how it works and how to take care of it," said the 19-year-old ITE graduate.
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