SCHOOL'S OUT, SAF'S IN

What is there to do during the year-end school holidays? Hang out at the shopping malls? Catch a movie? Play computer games?

Not for these 23 youngsters - they started their school holidays with a loud bang, literally.

As part of the Junior College Internship Programme organised by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), these first-year junior college students had the opportunity to fire the Singapore Assault Rifle 21 at the 100 metres rifle range at Pasir Laba Camp on 25 Nov.

"This is the first time I'm firing 'live' ammunition, and it's really cool!" exclaimed Raffles Junior College student Yeo Sam Jo.

"It was over before I knew it! I wanted to shoot more but the instructor told me all my bullets were used up!" he added with a tinge of regret.

Held from 23 Nov to 2 Dec, the programme aims to expose junior college students to how MINDEF and the SAF work, for them to better understand the dynamics of policy-making in the organisation.

For 17-year-old Sam Jo (left), this exposure to military life is good, especially since he will enlist for National Service (NS) next year, after his A-levels examinations.

He said: "We hear of the importance of Total Defence, so being here and seeing things in action and how things are like in the SAF give me a clearer picture of what Total Defence is, its importance and the reasons for it."

In addition to the SAR 21, the students were also introduced to new equipment used in urban warfare, and were also taken for a ride on the Light Strike Vehicle.

Next week, they will visit Republic of Singapore Air Force and Republic of Singapore Navy installations.

One topic that is taking centrestage in the interactions with the students is the SAF's transformation into a third generation force.

SAF officers are on hand to explain the rationale for this change and the students have the chance to see new work processes and equipment in action.

Tan Mee Cheng (left) from Temasek Junior College is heartened to learn about this transformation. She explained: "Change is definitely necessary, to be primed to take on new challenges in today's world."

One of four female students in the programme, Mee Cheng is thinking of taking up a job in the SAF. Does she hope to work in a combat role or in a staff appointment?

"I'm a bit greedy! I hope to have a taste of both sides!"she replied. "I don't want to work in an office all the time. I'd like to be outside, to see how life outfield is like."

Also considering a possible career with the SAF is National Junior College student Azhar Bin Athly (left).

He is thinking of joining the Singapore Combat Engineers.

But that is still in the future. For the moment, 17-year-old Azhar just hopes to get the most out of his internship programme.

He said: "I hope to better understand the key roles of the SAF, and why there is a need to have a capable and high-tech SAF to defend Singapore. And from what I've seen so far, I'm most impressed with the SAF."