SAF to step up training progressively in coming months

Monitoring of Covid-19 situation, review of virus safety measures to continue: Mindef

Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad observing a recruit at a SAR-21 rifle-handling session, during a visit to the SAF Basic Military Training Centre on Pulau Tekong yesterday. A total of 256 recruits enlisted yesterday, part of a batch of 4,000 to be enlisted this quarter. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
New enlistees having lunch at the cookhouse yesterday, with plastic barriers separating them from one another at the table while they eat. Precautionary measures at the training centre include temperature-taking twice a day, enhanced hygiene practices and frequent disinfection of common areas. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID

Military training will be progressively stepped up in the coming months with Covid-19 safety measures firmly in place, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said yesterday.

Basic training was suspended for seven weeks during the circuit breaker period earlier this year, and resumed in late May with safety measures in place.

The Officer Cadet and Specialist Cadet schools continued operating throughout the circuit breaker with precautionary measures in place.

In a statement, Mindef said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) "will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in Singapore and review the safe management measures in place to keep servicemen safe".

Two batches of recruits have since been trained at the SAF Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) on Pulau Tekong.

Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad was at the BMTC yesterday morning to observe new recruits who took the oath of allegiance at a ceremony in the auditorium.

A total of 256 recruits were enlisted yesterday, part of a batch of 4,000 to be enlisted this quarter. Those attending the ceremony sat one seat apart from one another.

Speaking to the media later, Mr Zaqy said: "Covid-19 pandemic or not, it's important that we maintain a high level of readiness, a high level of preparation, to ensure that the military operations and security of our nation can still be protected."

He noted that the BMTC still enlisted recruits and ran smoothly amid the virus outbreak.

Mr Zaqy assured parents that Covid-19 safety measures are in place, both proactive and reactive to the situation.

"It's important to give parents and loved ones at home that assurance that their sons and daughters here in the SAF are well looked after, kept safe and given peace of mind," he said.

Precautionary measures at the BMTC include temperature-taking twice a day, enhanced hygiene practices and frequent disinfection of common areas.

Recruits also carry out activities at a section level, comprising 16 people, instead of the larger platoon or company level, such as for shooting practice or route marches around the island.

Meal times are also staggered to prevent overcrowding, with plastic barriers separating the recruits from one another at the table while they eat.

First Warrant Officer Hardial Singh, 58, a platoon commander at the BMTC, said that while training has changed with the new measures implemented, the standard of training has not.

He said that conducting activities in smaller groups means that it takes more time.

For example, the SAR-21 rifle-handling session typically takes half a day for a company to complete, but with the new rules, it now takes a full day.

However, 1WO Singh noted that a smaller group size means that officers in charge can observe the performance of recruits more closely, such as identifying weaker shooters. This will enable them to provide these recruits with extra guidance.

Recruit Sebastian Chew, who has been training at the BMTC for two months, said that his parents were initially worried about the Covid-19 situation when he enlisted in July.

"I think this is quite unavoidable for all parents. But after enlisting, we were all quite assured because of the measures that are put in place," he said.

The 21-year-old added that the recruits know that any person who is unwell can report to the medical centre, without fear of repercussions or consequences.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 02, 2020, with the headline SAF to step up training progressively in coming months. Subscribe