NCC DAY 2013: ORGANISED BY CADETS FOR THE CADETS
PHOTO // Chai Sian Liang
Soldiers, seamen and airmen march with unerring precision to the beat of music by a military band. A contingent of soldiers executes a freestyle drill, "dancing" to the tunes of recent pop hits. Another group tosses their rifles in unison to choreographed patterns.
This was a professionally-choreographed military parade except that it was organised not by professional soldiers but young school boys and girls - cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
This year's NCC Day parade - the 112th edition - marks the first time that the parade has been organised solely by the cadets. Past editions were led and organised by staff of the NCC Headquarters (HQ).
The change was made to provide opportunities for cadets to showcase their leadership skills as well as creativity and innovation.
Speaking at the parade held at NCC HQ (Amoy Quee Camp) on 20 Jul, reviewing officer Chan Chun Sing, Senior Minister of State for Defence, noted: "NCC is an excellent platform to nurture our youths to be leaders of good character and global citizens who are committed to our nation."
He added: "The NCC aims to make every cadet a leader. All cadets will be given opportunities to develop their leadership by holding developmental appointments in different NCC projects, camps and programmes. Cadets will also be encouraged to take the initiative to propose and organise events or activities for their fellow cadets."
Echoing Mr Chan's view was Lieutenant Colonel Yeo Yew Kuan, Commandant, NCC, who believes that "all the activities in the NCC have to be championed by the cadets themselves".
He said: "We want to give them the platforms and avenues to showcase their leadership qualities. It is an apt time for us to step aside and into the background so that they (the cadets) can spread their wings and fly."
The parade organising committee - comprising 26 cadet officers - was led by Cadet Captain Tan Hooi Choo, a third-year student in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Also under her charge were over 30 cadet leaders from nine various sub-committees.
On her experience in leading the cadets through conceptualisation and planning to execution, she said: "This is a very great responsibility. Not only do I have to ensure that the the parade goes well, I have to ensure that everyone who is involved leaves this parade having had a good experience and learning something."
Also stepping forward to take on leadership roles were two senior cadet leaders, Master Sergeant (MSG) Brandon Chong from Bendemeer Secondary School and 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Sunny Goh from Bartley Secondary School, who initiated a NCC Photography Competition.
The photos were showcased in an exhibition at the parade.
On why they took the initiative, 3SG Goh said: "We wanted to create a platform for cadets to show their love for the NCC. So it's a way for us to give back to the NCC, which has prepared us well for National Service as well allowed us to learn values that are important in our lives."
"My motivation was to let cadets enjoy the way how the NCC should be; they should have fun with this CCA," added MSG Chong, who aspires to be a professional soldier in the future.
This year's parade also marked the first time a female cadet took charge as the parade commander.
Cadet Capt Lin Anqi, a Raffles Institution student who recently completed her A-levels, will be applying to join the Navy as an officer. Her training and experiences in NCC has honed her interest in the military, she explained.
"As a cadet officer for the last three years, I was fortunate enough to go abroad for training trips such as being an auxiliary instructor in overseas jungle terrain. I have developed resilience and become a better leader."
At the parade, the cadets recited the NCC pledge to affirm their loyalty to the country and to the Corps. Awards for the NCC Best Unit competition and the NCC Photo Competition were also given out.
The parade was attended by over 1,500 spectators comprising officers of the Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces, as well as school principals and teachers, parents and guests.
