One of a Kind (2nd Edition)

DAY ONE AND THE FIRST SIX WEEKS

123

SEVEN

XI. FAMILY GUEST DAYS

The recruits had been told at the end of the first week or so that they could invite their families

and friends to visit them during the third Sunday, 19

June. Each company was given a time

block. The visitors would be allowed into the barracks escorted by the respective recruits to

show the living conditions. There would be some refreshments and the canteen would also be

open. The barracks were to be made up as if for inspection.

Around 15

June, the recruits had their first pay parade, as it was a practice in the army to pay

fortnightly. Each platoon fell in outside its respective barrack block before an officer from the

platoon who was seated at a GS table, with a pay clerk beside him. As his name was called, each

defence. He referred to Singapore’s unexpected sovereign independence, its vulnerabilities and

the geopolitics of the region. Singapore had to urgently acquire the means to stand up for

itself. The ringing message was that Singapore would never ‘plead for peace’ and it would

engender friendship with its neighbours through strength, not weakness.

Nothing could have persuaded the trainees and the staff of SAFTI of the earnestness of the

Singapore Government about the raising of the armed forces as much as the presence and the

words of both then-Prime Minister and then-Minister of Defence within the space of two

hours. Mr. Lee left immediately after the ceremony. Dr. Goh took the opportunity for a site

inspection and to get an update on the progress of the on-going construction in SAFTI with

Mr. Bogaars, Mr. Tan Teck Khim and Director, SAFTI.

Mr. Lee and Dr. Goh getting first-hand accounts of SAFTI’s teething months at the reception.