COMMUNITY
A BLAST OF A SALUTE
06 Aug 2007
Lieutenant (LTA) Teo Joshua almost could not take part in this year's National Day Parade (NDP).
The 23-year-old, who is the Gun Positioning Officer (GPO) for the Presidential Gun Salute, was due to complete his full-time National Service in June and start his university studies in Australia thereafter.
But he decided to postpone his studies by half a year and signed a six-month contract with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
"This is a national event," said LTA Teo, referring to the NDP. "And I think it's quite an honour to take part in it too."
He revealed that by extending his service liability, he would also be able to go through the Field Artillery Training Evaluation Programme (FATEP) with his charges from the 20th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (20 SA) at the end of the year.
Unlike previous years, the 25-pounder guns used in the Presidential Gun Salute will be in full view of the spectators at the Marina Bay Seating Gallery.
As the guns will be placed on a small strip of land across the floating platform near the Marina Bay Sands worksite, extra safety precautions had to be taken into consideration.
"We had to conduct sound checks to make sure the noise level was within acceptable limits," said LTA Teo. The allowed noise level is 100 decibels and below.
With the six guns facing the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, the Land Transport Authority had also advised that the guns be positioned some 30 metres away from the bridge.
While the 36 men - six men for every gun - are seasoned operators of the Field Howitzer 88mm (FH 88), they took a while to get accustomed to the 25-pounders.
"With the FH 88, we can use the engine to move the gun, while we've to move the 25-pounders manually," explained LTA Teo.
"It was really quite tough for the boys because they have never trained with it before. Plus it's on top of their normal training."
He added: "But they are a dedicated bunch. No complaints from them all!"
Do you know?
- The Presidential Gun Salute, which is also known as the Royal Salute, is made up of 21 guns and reserved for the Sovereign and Consort, members of the Royal Family, Foreign Crowned Heads and other Heads of States.
- Prime Ministers and ministers get 19-Gun Salute, while chiefs of defence forces get 17-Gun Salute.
The 23-year-old, who is the Gun Positioning Officer (GPO) for the Presidential Gun Salute, was due to complete his full-time National Service in June and start his university studies in Australia thereafter.
But he decided to postpone his studies by half a year and signed a six-month contract with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
"This is a national event," said LTA Teo, referring to the NDP. "And I think it's quite an honour to take part in it too."
He revealed that by extending his service liability, he would also be able to go through the Field Artillery Training Evaluation Programme (FATEP) with his charges from the 20th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (20 SA) at the end of the year.
Unlike previous years, the 25-pounder guns used in the Presidential Gun Salute will be in full view of the spectators at the Marina Bay Seating Gallery.
As the guns will be placed on a small strip of land across the floating platform near the Marina Bay Sands worksite, extra safety precautions had to be taken into consideration.
"We had to conduct sound checks to make sure the noise level was within acceptable limits," said LTA Teo. The allowed noise level is 100 decibels and below.
With the six guns facing the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, the Land Transport Authority had also advised that the guns be positioned some 30 metres away from the bridge.
While the 36 men - six men for every gun - are seasoned operators of the Field Howitzer 88mm (FH 88), they took a while to get accustomed to the 25-pounders.
"With the FH 88, we can use the engine to move the gun, while we've to move the 25-pounders manually," explained LTA Teo.
"It was really quite tough for the boys because they have never trained with it before. Plus it's on top of their normal training."
He added: "But they are a dedicated bunch. No complaints from them all!"
Do you know?
- The Presidential Gun Salute, which is also known as the Royal Salute, is made up of 21 guns and reserved for the Sovereign and Consort, members of the Royal Family, Foreign Crowned Heads and other Heads of States.
- Prime Ministers and ministers get 19-Gun Salute, while chiefs of defence forces get 17-Gun Salute.
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