37
years served in Arty (34)
In
the ROC army, soldiers salute to their section commanders, and their section
commanders will salute them to respond. SAF soldiers require only to salute to commissioned
officers, soldiers do not have to salute to NCOs.
WOI
Said bin Sali was the RSM of Sch of Arty in Kangaw Camp in 1975, when he came to
TA Trg Wing to inspect the cleanliness of the area, he would first see me at my
office. Even though he was my superior, he saluted to me. However, I could not return
salute to respond, because I was not a commissioned officer, it was improper to
do so according to SAF regimentation, but I would immediately stood at
attention and greeted him loudly, "Good morning, Enche."
I
was eager to have subordinates to salute me, as I would feel being respected.
Unfortunately, after serving 37 years in the army, I had not been saluted by soldiers.
It was a regret.
I
accompanied WOI Said for inspection and the area under me was satisfactory.
Although
there was a Sgt Thomas as PTI in Sch of Arty, I often had to take SOC (Standard
Obstacle Course) training and PT lessons for Basic TA and TANCO Courses. Very
often during SOC trainings, CO Tay Khoon Seng was appeared unexpectedly in full
battle order himself. When I ended training with the students, the CO always
intervene, and made the students to clear those obstacles one or two more
rounds.
Cpt
Wong Fook Wah was OC Arty Wing. When I went to Holland Road to buy 4D in the
weekends, I often help Cpt Wong to buy a set or so, and before the draw, I would
call Cpt Wong by phone to confirm whether I had successfully obtained the
number, so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding if the number pop out and I
did not obtain them.
SGT
Eric was the BSM of HQ Bty. He often forgot to detail camp guards. He was
honest and admitted his mistake and asked me to help. The TA and TANCO trainees
were under my control, and were always ready to be deployed, unlike the HQ Bty personnel,
unable to detail for last minute assignment. I had to help him to deploy
trainees for camp guards.
SGT
Eric was from the 1st RANCO Course, whose girlfriend was an undergrad. SGT Eric
applied but unsuccessful to attend Officer Cadets’ Course. He felt that NCOs
did not match an undergrad girlfriend, so he terminated his contract early to
find better career. I supposed if he had not terminate his contract early his
rank should be at least up to Major. His contemporaries were Chan Siew Mun,
Vasanth, and Parameswara.
One
SSG Wee Chee Tho was 23 SA RQMS, successfully applied to attend the Officer
Cadets’ Course. Eventually became a Major. The CO of 23 SA was Wee Kia Pak.
From
October 1974 to November 1974, I was deployed as Admin NCO for ATCAO Course.
In
1974 – 75, from OC Lta Kam Heng (from Taman Jurong Camp to Kangaw Camp) to OC Hirubalan, the TA Trg Wing had conducted
the following courses:
- TA
Course 18/74 (Kam Heng, Taman Jurong Camp)
- TA
Course 19/74 (Kam Heng, Taman Jurong Camp)
- TA
NCO Course 8/74 (Kam Heng, Kangaw Camp)
- TA
Course 20/74 (Kam Heng, Kangaw Camp)
- Surveyors’
Course 12/74 (Kam Heng, Kangaw Camp).
- TA
Course 23/75 (Hirubalan, Kangaw Camp).
- TA
NCO Course 10/75 (Hirubalan, Kangaw Camp).
- TA
Course 24/75 (Hirubalan, Kangaw Camp).
