One of a Kind (2nd Edition)

BARRACK LIFE DURING SECTION TRAINING

194

TEN

Spoofing the establishment.

Parade Sergeant Major would be WO1 Harry Lim. The SIR Band under LTA Abdullah was

present for all the combined rehearsals. The dress code was No. 3 dress with helmet liners in

camouflage cover. Sikhs wore the camouflage covers over their green turbans.

As 18

November loomed ever larger, the invitations to family members or alternative guests

were distributed. Each trainee was required to prepare a complete uniform ensemble for the

parade and get the items laundered to the standard expected. A fresh issue of camouflage

covers for the helmets was arranged. By now, the more focused trainees had already altered

their issue items for a better fit and many were beginning to take pride in their uniforms

to the extent that some were even prepared to go home and return to camp in them. It

was revealed that there would be a one-week break between the POP and the beginning

of the next phase and each trainee was entitled to a free railway warrant on Malaysian

Railways up to Padang Besar in the northernmost Malaysian state of Perlis. They would be

entitled to break journeys along the way. Many began making plans. But, things must have

been pretty depressing for those who were advised that they would be deferred to a later

officer cadet course, while many of those who were deemed to have failed and were not

included in the POP chose to leave the service. Some remained. At the same time, some

of those who did not make it, were relieved. In all likelihood, the final disposition of the

trainees could only have been done in conjunction with Director, Manpower, Mr. Herman

Hochstadt and with the full cognisance of Dr. Goh Keng Swee, who believed in hands-on

supervision of key issues. A very strong possibility existed that the distribution of those

who would proceed immediately to officer cadet training and those who would be deferred

to subsequent batches, was deliberately structured to include a good representation of good

performers in the second batch so as to spread the talent. As it turned out, the deferment did

not affect advancement: the SAF as such (post-SMF) from the beginning never subscribed to