A part of a new and exciting phase in the NCC (Air) training programme that has been recently implemented is the replacement of Physical Training (PT) with what has been come to be known as Modules. These modules are actually a plethora of activities which are intended to instil in the latest batch of Specialists a prominent sense of leadership as well as to provide the cadets with a most diverse range of activities to cater to the multitude of interests, ranging from simple sports like badminton, touch rugby, soccer to more demanding and interesting modules like weightlifting, orienteering and precision drill squad (PDS). These activities attempt to provide our cadets with a holistic education, not only focusing on their drills, but also on their whole physical person, while developing our core values and of course, having fun. The modules syllabus has been structured and constructed from scratch by our very own Specialists and have received approval from the Teacher Officers, and thus are wholly safe. Not only that, they have been crafted with but on end in mind, that is to provide active learning for each respective module. The modules are spearheaded by our very own Company Sergeant Major, 2SG Jeremy Chitty and the Modules 2IC, 2SG K Goutham. We hope that this novel initiative will continue propelling the SJI NCC (Air) Unit to much greater heights than ever before. Furthermore, we will be gathering feedback from the cadets at the end of this trial period and we hope you look forward to that. Thank you for your continued support!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Specialists' Course 2008
On 12-14 June 2008, our Sec.3 cadets attended their Specialists’ Course, which was their qualifying course to become fully-fledged Specialists to be charged with the duty of running the SJI NCC (Air) Unit once their seniors had passed out. This was most definitely a monumental task to undertake at the best of times, and leadership was as natural for some as it was utterly novel for others. Thus, the main objective of this course was to properly equip the future Specialists with all the necessary skills required to run the unit effectively. For most, the idea of the Spec Course (its affectionate nickname) was damnably appalling, a waste of 3 days of their holidays. Indeed, most were dreading the harshness of the course itself. During the course itself, which was actually a 3D2N camp at NCC HQ, the activities revolved around acquiring the prerequisite skills expected of Air Cadets, which in addition to the standard syllabus (Individual Fieldcraft, Marksmanship Fundamentals etc.), also comprised of the Air Syllabus, an in-depth study of aviation and avionics. Of course, it also involved raising the bar for these future Specs, as their drills were pushed to the most precise limit, as well as their marching, to ensure they set an example to be emulated. Along the way, friendships were also forged as the cadets were grouped randomly with other schools also undergoing the course. At the end of the 3 days, after having officially passed out as Specialists, they were definitely elated to be returning home, though without some twinges (however minuscule) of regret. However, the Specialists more than made up for it by trying their very best from then on to uphold the values of NCC (Air) and to set themselves as someone to be admired for their juniors.
