One of a Kind (2nd Edition)

PULLING TOGETHER

259

TWELVE

VII. PEER LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING APPOINTMENTS

Once the cadet phase began, cadets were required to hold for one week each the appointments

of Cadet Under Officer (CUO), Cadet Company Sergeant Major (Cadet CSM), Cadet

Platoon Sergeant (Cadet Pl Sgt) and Cadet President Mess Committee (Cadet PMC). Except

for the last, appointment, insignias were worn. It was the job of the CUO and the Cadet

CSM to form up the Company Muster Parade, if any were scheduled for their week and

report to WO1 Hong. Of the two, the Cadet CSM had the more demanding assignment

as he was expected to emulate WO1 Hong including being directly responsible to him

for discipline, drill, bearing, dress regulations, regimental behaviour and, of course, area

cleaning. The CUO, on the other hand, was basically a supernumerary appointment with

theoretical responsibility for all the cadet appointees. The latter also had to present the

whole company to a visiting lecturer, for example and would take command of a muster

parade after the Cadet CSM had formed it up. The Cadet PMC, who answered to one of the

Platoon Commanders (in the case of the first intake, APT Albert Tan of Platoon 2) had to

keep an eye on the menu and the service in the dining hall, as there was no cadet mess or

common room. The role of the other appointment holders was the management of cadets

who came under their charge in preparation for administrative and training routines such as

ensuring that stores were collected and returned in good order and time. The Cadet Pl Sgt

had the most onerous job of all. He had to ensure that all stores, weapons and controlled

combat equipment were squared away before cadets were released for the weekend or on

those nights when they were allowed to leave camp until 2359 hrs. But, he was also required

to take charge of any platoon-level movement from point-to-point, with drill commands if

on foot; he was responsible for coordinating the platoon’s routine and non-routine activities

Facing an opponent in a boxing ring was seen as a test of grit.