Hello Everyone,
in today’s entry, I am going to share with you the wonderful memories and the exciting experience that I have had with the National Cadet Corps [NCC] since 2001.
Well, it all began when I was just a Secondary 1 Student at Bartley. As we all had to choose a Co-Curricular Activity [CCA] to participate in, I naturally wanted to join the Uniformed Groups [UG] as I was very interested in outdoor adventuring. The only UGs available back then were NCC Land, NCC Air, NPCC, Red Cross, and the Military Band. Having gone for the CCA Openhouse, I decided and made a choice to join the NCC Land Family. The one and only reason why I joined the NCC back then was that I could wear the uniform home, unlike the NPCC. Since then, I have never regretted joining the NCC and I was really glad that I made the right decision as the person I am today is largely due to the leadership and lifeskills that I picked up over the years in the NCC.
The first two years in NCC back then were pretty challenging and tough. Trainings were conducted on Saturday mornings and most of the time, we either had footdrills lesson or physical training. There wasn’t much activities to engage us and training was extremely routine. Most of the time, we had to carry out instructions given by our seniors whom we sometimes find unreasonable. Our seniors back then were arrogant and boastful, and they used punishment as a way to entertain themselves. Worst still, they were a bad influence on us. While there were seniors whom were extremely bad, we also had seniors whom were extremely good, understanding, and patient. Those whom I really respect and modelled after are Teck Kwee, Din, and Victor.
To be honest, I wanted to quit the NCC when I was in Secondary 1 due to the unreasonably tough trainings and the negative peer influence. However, thanks to a friend of mine, Xin Ying [previously from NCC Air] whom encouraged me through a really long phone call which I still remember till this day, I persevered for 2 years and the tide changed for me when I was in Secondary 3. After my Specialists’ Course in 2003, I was promoted to a 2nd Sergeant and was internally promoted to a 1st Sergeant, and thereafter, promoted to a Staff Sergeant after attending the Senior Specialists’ Course. That same year, I embarked on a Mount Ophir Expedition Trip with the NCC and till this day, I remembered the tough journey that we have had as my batch of Cadets reached the summit late and as a result, we returned to Camp Base only at 3am in the morning!
Mount Ophir Expedition 2003, that’s Ravi [now a Guards regular] and me
US Kitty Hawk Aircraft Carrier Visit!
That’s Shamsul [you would have seen him on the famous Every Singaporean Son video by Cyberpioneer] and Me
These were the Cadets that I trained from 2003 and today, some of them are now SAF regulars while some are NSF specialists.
Receiving the NCC Outstanding Cadet Award
The Colours Party for the NCC Teacher Officers Course
The Pioneer Batch of Supernumerary Under the Leadership and Guidance of 1WO Christopher
We also formed the first Supernumerary Supporting Contingent for the NCC Day Parade 2004 at the SAFTI MI Parade Square
Well, the times that I spent as a Cadet were really fruitful and I really enjoyed every single moment of it, especially with the friends that I’ve made over the years.
In 2004, I was appointed to be the Assistant Sergeant Major of the unit and was promoted to Master Sergeant. In addition, I was awarded the Outstanding Cadet Award. Being inspired to serve and contribute more to the NCC, I went for the 48th Cadet Lieutenants’ Course [CLT] after my GCE ‘O’ Levels and was awarded the Best in Leadership Award. Thereafter, I served actively in HQ NCC and was involved in the organisation and execution of courses, parades, ceremonies, ranges, and camps. During the years that I served HQ NCC as a Cadet Officer, I was appointed the East District OIC and was privileged and honoured to be sent to Rockhampton, Australia for the International Cadet Exchange Programme and Exercise Wallaby. For my contributions to the NCC, I was awarded the Outstanding CLT Award and was eventually promoted to the rank of Cadet Captain.
Alpha Company of 48th CLTs’ Course. Back then, the CLT’s course was a three weeks residential course and training was mentally challenging!
This is a MC that I will always remember for life because I fall sick just three days before the graduation parade and well, if anyone of us were given a 2 days consecutive MC, we were placed out-of-course immediately! Thankfully, I was able to return to camp on day 2!
The Ever-United East District 48th CLTs
Graduated from the 48th CLTs’ Course!
Camp Feast as An Instructor!
Conducting School Trainings
Platoon Commander for the 53rd CLTs’ Course
NCC Day Parade 2007
Organising the NCC CCA Openhouse at Bartley Secondary School
Awarded the Friends of the School Award
International Cadet Exchange Programme to Rockhampton, Australia
Coke outfield is a very rare affair!
Camp Growl!
BBQ Time with the Australian Cadets
Tau Pok on the Last Night of Our Stay! [I really miss those times!]
And as I have mentioned before, the friends that I have made in NCC are really true friends indeed. We cry together, laugh together, and work together as one united team! Hence, there is a reason why even till today, the NCC East District is also still known as the home of the Champions!
We Cheer One Another On
We Work Hard Together As One Team!
And We Cry Together As One Team!
Such was this unity that we had that I truly felt blessed to be in such a great company of people whom I can truly call friends!
Although many people felt that I was an over-achiever, the fact is, I don’t really derive satisfaction from the awards and achievements that I have gotten. What really motivated me was that I wanted to do more for the youth community; to inspire the young ones and to impart to the juniors. I too also enjoyed the company of friends that I have made over the years in NCC and these bonds that we shared do have a special place in our hearts.
Now, it’s more than 11 years since I have joined the NCC and I am still very much involved one way or another as an Associate Member. In fact, just last Friday, I was really privileged and honoured to have been invited to give a motivational talk to the Cadets during the Annual NCC Camp.
The Land Unit having team-building games!
Dinner Time [and yes, same auntie that cooked dinner for camps since I was in Secondary 1!]
At the OPS Room Setting-Up
Getting Ready for My Talk [photo taken by Baby]
Baby wanted to relieve the times in secondary school
So she asked me to act like a Student listening to a teacher
The future leaders of NCC and Singapore!
I’m glad they were listening actively and participative!
After the talk, they had this treasure hunt game which they called it L4D! It was really damn cool because I didn’t have such a thing in the camps that I attended!
The legends of Bartley NCC Land Unit that laid the foundation for today’s success!
I really hope that as the years goes by, NCC will always remain as Singapore’s premiere UG, and not just that, I hope that Bartley NCC Land Unit will always obtain the Gold Award for the Best Unit Competition and that the NCC East District will always be so ever-united [yes, I know I’m biased! hahas]
