MORE THAN JUST YOUR AVERAGE DRIVING TEST

For many, it is a rite of passage to adulthood. Earning the right to get behind the wheel and operate a vehicle often means literally moving ahead on the road to freedom and independence.

Cruising down paved pathways in a car, however, is pretty different when the set of wheels you're driving is a five-ton truck.

And going off-road through tough rocky or sandy terrain is certainly no walk in the park, said Private (PTE) Li Shu. The 22-year-old is in the latest batch of Transport Leader trainees from the Supply Transport Centre (STC) that is currently undergoing vocational training at the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) new Cross-Country Driving Circuit (CCDC).

Located near the Mandai training area, this circuit was purpose-built to improve the proficiency and safety of servicemen in driving in an operational and non-urban environment. Over 16,000 trainees have undergone training at the CCDC since construction was completed in 2009.

The circuit was officially opened by Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh on 25 Nov.

At 36 hectares (roughly the size of 50 football fields), the CCDC boasts 26 obstacle stations and a 5km independent driving track. It is used to train the driving of a range of wheeled vehicles, including land rovers, five-ton trucks, Light Strike Vehicles, the 30-ton High Mobility Cargo Transporters, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, and Multi-purpose Tactical Vehicles.

Previously, training for cross-country driving was conducted at a training area in Ulu Sembawang, which provided limited types of natural terrain with only five training stations and a 1.8km driving track.

During his visit, MG Singh had the chance to take an Ops Utility Vehicle out for a spin and try out some of the obstacle stations. He also interacted with trainees and impressed upon them the importance of their role as Transport Leaders and Operators.

"A lot of people think that being a driver is a simple job, but while many people can get a driving license, to drive safely and operationally is a different matter," he said. "You'll be driving very heavy vehicles full of men and equipment; all of them are dependent on you, so it's crucial to give you an opportunity to learn the finer skills of driving."

These words were not lost on PTE Li. "I have a class 3 licence, but we're driving big military vehicles here, so it's more challenging (than driving your average car). The roads in Singapore are also pretty smooth, and the circuit gives us an opportunity to drive on different types of terrain.

"The main benefit is that it helps to build our confidence. We can familiarise ourselves with the vehicles and learn how to handle different situations like crossing a riverbed or going up a steep slope," he said. "That will be very useful when we get posted to a unit or have to go for overseas training in places like Australia."

The Camel Hump station, for example, was designed to simulate the uneven ground and hilly terrain drivers encounter while supporting Exercise Wallaby, an annual large-scale exercise conducted in Queensland, Australia, revealed 3rd Warrant Officer Chua Tiong Seng, an instructor from the Transport Training Wing of the STC.

"We used the knowledge that we've gained over the years to modify the stations and make them as realistic as possible, so that we can better prepare and train the next batch of transport operators."

Chief of Staff - the General Staff Brigadier-General (BG) Tung Yui Fai, who accompanied MG Singh on the visit, summed up the importance of facilities such as the CCDC: "Most of our drivers are very young, and we expect them to drive very big vehicles, so to give them progressive and realistic training in a course like this will certainly help them to have the confidence and competence in operating their vehicles and how they should react in different environments."