NCC EXTENDS LEADERSHIP TRAINING WITH REVISED RANK STRUCTURES

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) promoted two cadets to the rank of Cadet Captain (C/CPT) at its 107th Anniversary Dinner on 9 Sep.

This new initiative which began last December, said Commandant NCC, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Stuart Khoo, would help both to recognise the contributions of the best among its cadets, as well as provide new opportunities for leadership development and personal growth.

The NCC, he said, has developed an Enhanced NCC Experience. This helps to promote third-generation military skills, leadership development and commitment to defence among its cadets.

"Furthermore, the NCC has revamped its Leadership Competency Model, in line with the SAF s own Leadership Competency Model and the Ministry of Education s social and emotional learning," he continued.

Cyberpioneer spoke with the two Cadet Lieutenants (CLT) who received their promotion certificates.

CLT Zachary Lim and CLT Low Fang Xiang, both aged 19, joined the NCC when they were in secondary one. The Temasek Polytechnic students now return to their secondary school to help out with the various camps and activities organised by the NCC.

"It (NCC) is very good leadership training," said CLT Lim. "I learned discipline, and became a more responsible and sensible person."

CLT Low felt "honoured to be among the first few Cadet Captains", but also acknowledged that the promotion came with a "heavier responsibility" to live up to.

Like the SAF, the NCC, too, has its own Best Unit Competition, an annual competition which recognises the achievements of the best NCC units. The title of Best NCC Unit 2007 was awarded to Fuhua Secondary School.

Said Captain (CPT) (NCC) Raps Azrinah, a teacher from North View Secondary School: "The NCC has many good programmes aimed at boosting cadets' confidence as well as realising their potential."

North View Secondary School was the recipient of the Best Air Unit award. Attributing their success to their forward-looking initiatives, CPT (NCC) Raps said that the unit had put in place many activities such as overseas community projects and bilateral exchanges with foreign NCC groups activities which are being put in place by the NCC.

Present at the event was Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and senior SAF officers, many of whom were themselves former NCC cadets.