Finding their bearings amid choppy seas

https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/articles/community/2023/30-oct-23/30oct23_news1_photo1.jpg?sfvrsn=ea6091a7_1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/smol-bomb-busters
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/smol-bomb-busters
SMOL BOMB BUSTERS
30 Oct 2023 | COMMUNITY

SMOL BOMB BUSTERS

Getting hands-on with robots and bomb suits: Two lucky boys got to spend a day with the SAF's bomb busters as part of PIONEER's Children's Day special.
// PRODUCER TEO JING TING / PHOTOGRAPHER KENNETH LIN / CAMERAMAN AJAY PRASHAD
Reuel Teo, 9 and Dharran Raj, 11, got the rare chance to visit the home of 36th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (36 SCE) in October – where they went through a slice of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Vocational Obstacle Course (VOC), checked out (dummy) bombs and controlled a huge robot!

Check out their day of fun!

All suited up and ready to go!
Team 3IC of 36 SCE, 3SG Wong (left), who is also chaperone of the day, introducing the EOD 10 bomb suit to the boys.
The boys watching an EOD personnel going through the – Staggering Tyres – station, the second obstacle of a truncated VOC for the kids to try out.
It's my turn! Reuel going through the first VOC station – Over Table – with confidence.
Dharran taking on the third VOC station – Balancing Log – with intense concentration.
3SG Wong (left) introducing the boys to the various bombs that EOD operators train with. In his hands is a Singapore Fragmentation Grenade, while the ones on the table are a 68mm rocket (left) and an 81mm mortar (right).
3SG Wong guiding Reuel on how to control the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), also known as AUNAV. Fitted with a robotic arm, the ROV allows EOD operators to disrupt Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) from a safe distance.
Both Dharran (left) and Reuel (right) using the videoscope to identify objects inside a bag. EOD operators usually use this device – which is fitted with a long tube that has a camera at the tip – to safely inspect and search a suspicious bag.
Tags Childrens Day Childrens Day 2023 EOD Bomb buster Bomb suit 36 SCE Army
Suggested Reading
Cover story
SISTERS IN ARMS
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

One's got her feet firmly on the ground, the other's hungry for adventure – CPT Rebekah Abbott and CPT (Dr) Hannah Abbott share the joys of growing up and signing on with the military.

Cover story
FOUR WOMEN, 4 SERVICES, 19 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

Meet ME6 Toh Bao-En, LTC Nah Jinping, LTC Tong Wei Lynn and SLTC Tung Wanling.

Feature
NS ALLOWANCE TO INCREASE FROM 1 JULY 2025
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

She used to serve on the The increase is among a series of various measures to enhance the National Service (NS) experience and recognise servicemen’s contributions. 

Cover story
SAF TO GET NEW INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE, 2 MORE SUBMARINES; BUILD UP UNMANNED CAPABILITIES
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen highlighted the SAF’s long-term approach to building a next-generation fighting force, during the Committee of Supply debates on the defence budget. 

Feature
SAF SET TO EXPAND PULAU TEKONG TRAINING AREAS; SAFTI CITY OPEN FOR TRAINING
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

She used to serve on the

Pulau Tekong will be expanded to stretch 10km, and is part of the SAF’s investments in training infrastructure for more effective and realistic training.
Combat medic learns to save lives in SAF-SCDF attachment
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

LCP Chen Anhong stepped up to treat patients and provide emergency medical services during his six months with the SCDF.
Feature
MATCH MADE IN THE SAF
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

She used to serve on the MAJ Jayaram Venugobalan Naidu and Kasturibai Athmaram went from schoolmates to soulmates after a chance posting to the same unit reconnected the two.

HE STRUCK (DIVERS’) GOLD
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

Inspired by his father who was a Commando NSman, 3SG Fong Zheng Wei went from failing IPPT to achieving Divers’ Gold.
TWICE THE STRENGTH, DOUBLE THE PRIDE
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

3SG Irfan and 3SG Iryan Hidayat have walked almost identical paths all their lives —from attending the same schools to enlisting for NS and, now, graduating as newly minted sergeants together.  

Feature
AFTER “EVER AFTER”
COMMUNITY
30 Oct 2023

She used to serve on the From best friends to lovers, and now parents of two (with a third on the way!): Army couple CPT Nuraishah and 3WO Shahibul share how their love is still going strong.