Camp Pinnacle 2008
Date: 1st December - 5th December
Venue: SISPEC, Pasir Laba Camp
Camp Pinnacle, an illustrious camp that is organised annually for the top 2 Part 'C' Specialists who are holding the appointments of USM or ASM in the NCC School Units. The main objectives of Camp Pinnacle are:
1) To forge closer links between the SAF and NCC through visits to different camps (Army/RSAF/RSN)
2) To observe the military hardware in SAF installations for the purpose of exposing NCC cadets to the capabilities of the 3G SAF.
3) To reward deserving senior cadets for their outstanding contributions to the organisation.
Although this camp is meant as a reward for the appointment holders, cadets should not have the mindset that Camp Pinnacle is some mediocre camp or a Part C Camp FEAST. Drills and discipline are emphasized strongly in SISPEC (School of Infantry SPECialists). As such, cadets are required to be attired in proper uniform at all times and not to mention, marching is mandatory to get from point to point in the camp.
During the first day of Camp Pinnacle, there was an opening address from the Warrant Officers and DC(West) CPT(NCC) Elizabeth Lee at the Warrant Officers' Auditorium. After having our lunch at the training sheds, we visited SISPEC Heritage Gallery where the history/formation of SISPEC was told briefly in pictures as cadets viewed the photo gallery in awe. Followed by that, cadets were brought to the IGTS (Infantry Gunnery Tactical System) to view how soldiers practice firing heavy artillery weapons on the simulators. (Similar to our IMT but instead of M16s, the weapons there are much bigger and powerful.)
Day 2: After breakfast, we were taken to SYFC (Singapore Youth Flying Club) where we had a mini briefing from SYFC instructors. Then, there was a tour around the SYFC compound and cadets saw the plane hangars and LC/RC workshops. We managed to try out the CAI (Computer Aided Instructor) meant for PPL students as well as the RC Flight Simulator. On the second half of the day, we were taken to Seletar Camp (Home Of The Bridging Engineers) where there was a talk from the Army Recruitment Officers about Army careers after secondary school. During the talk, cadets were briefed on the different vocations available in the Army and we were also persuaded by the Officers to sign on a career with the Army once we completed our 'O' Levels.
On the 3rd day, we headed down to Paya Lebar Air Base for the familiarisation flight on the C130 which lasted approximately 15mins. After lunch, we headed to the Air force Museum and toured around the vicinity and had a video screening in the theatre there. Cadets were also given free time to visit the souvenir shop on the ground floor to purchase the souvenirs there. During the night, we had our Camp Pinnacle Nite whereby cadets from every platoon had to put up a skit and cheer on stage. It was amusing to see cadets doing crazy stuff on stage and not to forget the Cadet Officers who went on stage to crack jokes and make all of us laugh with their funny antics.
4th Day: We headed out early in the morning to the Naval Diving Unit located beside the SAF Yacht Club. There, we were given the opportunity to view how the Naval Divers work and how their training was like. We also tried out the different weapons that were on display at the booths. There were different types of weapons that the Navy uses, from the smaller handguns to the larger sub machine guns. In the afternoon, there was a joyride on the Naval speed boats but sadly, due to time constraints and other factors, not everyone got a chance to ride. After the NDU visit, we headed to Tuas Naval Base and had a Navy career talk by the Navy Recruitment Officer. We were supposed to board the ship for a familiarisation visit but as luck would have it, the bad weather prevented us from doing so. Thus we were given refreshments as a compensation for missing out the ship visit.
Day 5: We were taken to the Survival Village located in another end of SISPEC. There, the Commando-trained Warrant Officer presented to us survival techniques and skills. We were taught how to build makeshift shelters and how to collect potable water in the jungle. Followed by that, all the cadets were gathered to witness a 'live' demonstration of how the Warrant Officers kill the quails and skin them for cooking. Other then quails, there were also crabs, chickens, frogs and eels that were killed for demonstration. The scene of blood squirting on the table and animals' gizzards exposed as their skins were ripped apart is sickening and definitely not for the faint-hearted. However, all the food don't go to waste as the Warrant officers and Specialists would cook it and consume it after we have left Survival Village. The killing is definitely not for fun and we should only do so at the last resort, as told by the Warrant Officers. They stood by the motto: "To survive, something has to die" which is so true when one is stuck in the middle of the jungle without any food or water.
At the end of Camp Pinnacle, we were given another talk before being presented with our badges in the parade square. Then, it was time for us to board the shuttle bus that would take us to the MRT Station. Many cadets would never forget the experience we gained during our 5 days there as we saw many things that not everyone could get to do so. Thus, we felt more privileged than the rest. It is almost impossible to forget the fun and good times that we had at PLC as well as the new friends that we made there. This has definitely been an enriching experience because we have learnt new things during the camp.
Reported By:
SSG Marcus Ho