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During a visit to the 6th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR) on 18 April, 200 students, teachers and parents from four schools had a taste of Army life when they were given the rare opportunity to fire rifles, camouflage themselves and sample field rations. During their guided tour in Maju Camp, the visitors also learnt about 6 SIR's role and capabilities in protecting important installations like Changi Airport and Jurong Island. The visit aimed to boost understanding of National Education (NE) and confidence in the Army's ability to defend Singapore. It was the result of collaboration between St. Gabriel's Primary and Secondary, Zhonghua Secondary, Yangzheng Primary, Nexus and 6 SIR.
Teacher and visit coordinator Mr Chng Kiong Choon explained, "We chose 6 SIR because it showcases the Army's 24/7 operational capabilities – it's where the action is. The students will be able to see what the soldiers are doing, and link it to what they have learnt in NE about dealing with national threats like terrorism." For 11-year old Gevin Emilio Yareza from St. Gabriel's Primary, a Permanent Resident from the Philippines, the experience was a good introduction to what NS life is all about. He said, "When I grow up and do NS, I'll learn more about all this, so if there are enemies or terrorists, we can stop them. I'm looking forward to being a rifleman."
The girls also had a good time trying out the SAR 21 assault rifle, dressing up in Protection of Installation gear and gamely 'dolling up' with camouflage paint. While few will experience life full time in the Army, it was a chance for them to appreciate the sacrifices of our soldiers in defending the nation. Nur Ashikin from Yangzheng Primary said, "Shooting isn't that easy as we must use our brain to concentrate, and be careful not to shoot our friends. The camouflage painting was fun, and I liked the pasta field rations. Better than my canteen food!"
This was the first time 6 SIR had organised such a visit and Commanding Officer MAJ Ong Kok Wui explained, "It's part of the larger framework of strengthening commitment to defence. We're doing our part to engage key stakeholders – students, teachers and parents. We planned the visit as a guided tour to maximise the informal interaction and engagement between our soldiers and the guests." Some of the soldiers were heartened by the positive response of the students. 3SG Kenneth Lim, one of the presenters, said, "The older ones were fascinated about how the Army has progressed, such as the improvements in food quality. They were quite impressed and the visit was meaningful for them as most will be coming to the Army in a few years."
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