Pride to the Fore! Leadership through Role-Modelling
TO SERVE WITH PRIDE & DEDICATION!
STANDARD REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AS CADET LEADER
SAR 21 Technical Handling / IMT / Live Range
To qualify for Specialist Assessment, the first three stages must be cleared in shooting a SAR 21 Rifle.
Stage 1: Technical Handling
Understanding the basic structure of SAR 21, as well as knowing about the different parts within this weapon, would greatly assist you in the technical handling test, which includes errors in firing, such as no feeding; double feeding; and half feeding. Various situations would need various ways of resolving it.
Stage 2: IMT
After going through the basics of the SAR 21 rifle, as well as knowing how to dismantle/assemble the weapon, potential CLs will then step into the simulation zone to test their firing capabilities and they must be focused on keeping to the targets despite realistic weapon recoil and environmental reaction noises. Only when a CL passes IMT, that he can proceed to Stage 3.
Stage 3: Live Range
In the final stage after TH and IMT, CLs will get a chance at zeroing in, as well as shoot 24 rounds of the actual Sar 21 rifle at the Nee Soon 100m Live Range. A score of nothing less than 12 out of 24 targets is required for a pass. Expect nothing less than actual shooting scenarios of static and falling targets. When a CL clears stage 3, he will be considered as clearing SAR 21 Shooting Progression.
Stage 4: Marksmanship
It is a grand honour for any CL to be able to hit more than 19 targets out of 24 to achieve the marksmanship badge. Should the CL achieve marksmanship status during the actual test, then he will be issued a marksman badge, and he is authorized to sew this badge onto his Number 4 uniform.
Specialist Assessment
In Specialist Assessment, Cadet leaders are expected to know many elements of NCC, all the way to its very core, in order for them to successfully pass the specialist assessment to earn the rank of 3rd Sergeant.
Element 1: Leadership Competency Model
The NCC Leadership Competency Model is one of the main elements that all potential Cadet Leaders must understand, integrate in their trainings and pass down to their juniors during their tour of duty. All specialists must be able to be totally clear over what they are supposed to do during their day to day activities and programs in NCC, with guidance from the the NCC-LCM.
Element 2: Individual Field Craft (IFC)
Even though NCC cadets are not going to encounter conflict engagement and actual warfare, in the courseware of NCC, it is important for NCC cadets to understand the purpose of combat movement and technical skills; such as Cover and Concealment (Camouflage), Field Signals, Judging Distances, Target Indication, Movement by Day, Range Card, Duties of Sentry by Day and Night and Construction of Basic Field Shelter
Element 3: General Skills Knowledge (GSK)
In NCC, it is imperative that every cadet leader knows the origins, structure and organization within HQ NCC, its history and its current state. This allows cadet leaders to relate themselves closer and be able to forecast themselves as leaders not just within schools, but also a model for life.
Element 4: Footdrill Proficiency
Footdrill is part and parcel of regimentation in NCC, a Uniformed Group. Therefore, all parades commanded must be dealt with a certain standard of footdrill coupled with strong commands that are loud and clear for cadets to understand within the unit.
Other Important Considerations for Cadet Leadership
After Specialist Assessment is completed, each cadet leader would be given opportunities to present themselves more than ready for the Senior Specialist Course, which allows them to be promoted up to Master Sergeant and Staff Sergeant ranks. Up to 5 members of the Cadet Leader cohort will be considered for further promotion to the SSC, and a chance to proceed to Officer Course in the future after graduation.
The top few elements which all Teacher Officers in BVSS NCC will take note of are the following:
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Proficiency in Footdrill / Orienteering / GSK Instructions / Parade / Shooting
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Commitment to Corps via High Attendance Rate
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Commitment to teaching via good character identification (Responsible, Honest, Resilient, Willingness to Learn, Humility, Confident)
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Commitment to serve NCC with good vision and good hopes for the unit.
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Minimal to Zero disciplinary records in BVSS
All these elements will greatly help in decision making of a Senior Specialist. However, there are a few more items that you can take on to give you an edge over other cadet leaders during selection.
Chance 1 : ICEP NCC
NCC constantly opens up windows of opportunity for international expeditions. The world beckons for cadet leaders who show a high level of commitment in unit and is ranked by the teacher officers as one of the best in the unit.
With this, there is one edge that you could have over your other mates.
Chance 2: NDU Basic Diving Course
In tandem with the recent fame of Ah Boys to Frogmen movie, Naval Diving Unit often offers Basic Diving Courses to potential NCC cadet leaders who proved that they can be ranked together with the same 1% special breed of men.
NCC Cadet Leaders must have superioy mentalities in order for him to conquer the tough rigors of the NDU Basic Diving Course. A completion and an earning of the NDU BDC batch would give him a sharp edge and guaranteed promotion.
Chance 3: ADC Course
Cadet leaders chosen because they put in more effort to perfect their footdrill skills have a chance to join the one-in-a-batch Advanced Drill Course, mastered by the Sergeant Major himself, and cleared with all PDS/FSD elements , plus commands learnt within a space time of a few days.
The intensity of this course will give cadet leaders an edge over others as they know more about parade commands as well as special commands more than other batch mates.
Chance 4: Any external Representation
Cadet leaders will also be given numerous opportunities to fulfill both their VIA duties as well as NCC representation for Schools towards major events such as Chingay, War Memorial Parade, National Day Parade, Youth Day Parades.
The unit in BVSS gives importance and recognizes cadet leaders' contributions on a national level. At the same time, the total defence badge achievements also give students the edge over their own batch mates as they are not just aware of the need of it, they act on it by taking part in various programs set by HQ NCC.