ITI A PRIME EXAMPLE OF TRAINING TRANSFORMATION: DR NG

Maximising the use of NS men's time - this was the issue on Dr Ng Eng Hen's mind when he opened the Infantry Training Institute at Jurong Camp II on 17 Aug.

The Second Minister for Defence praised the Infantry Training Institute (ITI) for putting together the essential elements in NSmen's in-camp training (ICT).

Dr Ng also highlighted the need to enhance training realism. "Realism in training is another aspect of transformation," he said.

He recounted the past, where training involved soldiers yelling in an attempt to simulate the sound of weapons.

"Right now," he said, "there's a consequence to your mistake. And that sort of realism maximises your training. People internalise their actions, their rights and wrongs and their consequences; real consequences which are felt at that point in time."

According to ITI Commander Colonel (COL) Anson Lim, moving from its former premises at Tanjong Gul Camp to its new site at Jurong Camp II would allow ITI to better address the needs of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commanders.

Among the facilities at the new ITI are an NS Battalion Command Block, a Satellite Interactive Laboratory (SIL), and a business centre. These new facilities were welcomed by both NSmen and SAF commanders.

"The business centre is especially useful for NSmen like me," said Major (NS) Ace Low. "It really helps us a lot as we go through our ICT."

In terms of infrastructure, COL Lim is confident that Jurong Camp II will have much more to offer than Tanjong Gul Camp. With an open concept for its accommodation, ITI's new home will "allow privacy but also better bonding and more cohesion."

COL Lim was also excited about the SIL, which would provide "computerised training and smart learning" for NSmen.

"Their success is our success, but at the same time we're accountable for their failure as well," he added.

It is for this reason that ITI invests heavily in training its people, and demonstrates how, beyond just the fa ade of infrastructure, it is able to stand out as a paragon of training transformation.