One of a Kind (2nd Edition)

APPENDIX II

365

APPENDIX II

were looking anxious but remained quiet. There were also two new graduates, 2

Lieutenants

Abdullah Ghani and George Ho from the FMC. Further behind them, sat a large group of

senior NCOs, from Sergeants to Warrant Officers, from 2 SIR and the SVC. Sitting at the left

side were five senior police officers—an Inspector, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) and three

Deputy Superintendents (DSP). I was curious as to why they were there. On the other side of the

room sat four ‘Caucasians’ in civilian clothing. Two appeared to be middle-aged while the other

two looked much younger. I was quite perplexed with this gathering and waited eagerly for the

Director to explain.

At 0815 hrs, the Director, LTC Kirpa Ram Vij and his staff entered the room. Behind him were

the advisors from the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), the Chief Instructor, MAJ John Tan from

l SIR, the second in command, mobilised SVC MAJ Ee Thian Chye, the Officer Commanding

Headquarters (OC HQ) and the Adjutant, CPT Ramachandra. This was the first occasion I saw

LTC Vij. Later, l learnt that he was an SVC LTA working in the Ministry of Finance and heading

the Department of Organisation and Methods (O&M). Because of his O & M background, he

had been handpicked by Dr Goh Keng Swee to not only manage the preparatory course but

also to launch the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTl). The introduction of the

course was simple and straightforward. The purpose of the course was to train us as instructors

for SAFTI. This would eventually lead to the build-up of the SAF. The training would take about

12 weeks to complete and would commence the next day. Altogether, 60 trainees were gathered

there. There were 20 SIR officers, nine SVC mobilised officers, two fresh FMC graduates, 24

NCOs of SIR and SVC and five police officers. We were divided into three groups.

We welcomed the news that we would be paid an additional $60 of hardship allowance, similar

to the allowance that we were paid during the Konfrontasi Operation in Sabah. This would cover

the general expenses that we incurred during the course.

Standing

SSG Rahman, WO Ali Pawiro, 2LT Shari, 2LT A Ghani, LTA Raymond Tan, 2LT Syed Ibrahim, LTA Cedric,

SGT Tan Cheng Bong, SGT Mak, 2LT Aloysius Ng

Sitting

CPT Daljeet S, WO Richard Ong, SGT Lee Eng Tong, SGT Majid, WO Nizam, ASP Wilfred Skinner, DSP

Richard Tay, 2LT Tan, CPT James Chia, WO Moktar, CPT James Teo, LTA Goh Lye Choon, LTA Earl Robson