blah
me
12:08 PM
me
8:12 AM
me
4:53 PM
me
1:11 PM
me
11:20 AM
me
8:43 AM
me
12:31 PM
Friday, October 28, 2005
Bah. Now i need to score full marks for my physics and chemistry theory papers to get an A1.
me
12:08 PM
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
ARE WE REALLY DEVELOPING LEADERS?
Are we really developing leaders or are we developing good followers whom we hope that some day, will emerge as leaders miraculously? This is the question that had been engulfing my mind almost every time I watch a new batch of Cadet Lieutenants or senior specialists in action. Before I indulge into this subject, I’ll like to acknowledge that I may not be a good leader in everybody’s eyes. In fact, I may even be an example of bad leadership in someone’s eyes, but nevertheless, I’ll like to state my views and give my two cents worth, therefore, please hear me out.
I held the appointment of administration specialist as a 3rd sergeant. Although many of my peers daunted this appointment but I enjoyed myself to handling the day to day administration of the unit and thus, learnt a great deal along the way. That was in 1994. Then, NCC did not have as many Cadet Lieutenants as today. The resultant effect was that we had to do all the planning and execution ourselves, of course, with some guidance from the unit’s Commanding Officer and 2nd-In-Charge. Perhaps it is the environment that pushed for the exhibition of leadership potential within ourselves, we could work and make things happen. Take for example the Annual ECA Orientation, we planned for every exhibit, display, and did all the set up. Although minor hiccups were present, we value the learning experience.
By the time we were in our Secondary 4s, we had planned for hiking and canoeing trips, as well as camps. When it was time for us to hand over the unit to the next batch of specialists, I can say that all the actively participating personnel were, to varied degrees, leaders by virtue. This had always been the case for us and our predecessors.
It has been six years since I left my secondary school. In these six years, I’ve seen the peak and pit in the standard of Cadet Lieutenants and senior specialists, which churned such avalanche of emotions that I have to pen my feel and thoughts down, what had gone wary, what were done right…… I dedicate this paper to the specialists and Cadet Lieutenants after me, in hope that they will not retrace our trenches.
My Walk to a Senior Cadet Lieutenant
In 1994, when the ex-NCC Commandant, LTC Swee Boon Chai, took over command of NCC and the ex-East District Commander, CPT Gerald Fernandez, took over East District, East District is ranked last among the three districts. In less than 18 months, East District topped the districts. An important man, besides CPT Fernandez, to be responsible for this is then the OIC MTT East District, 2LT Soh Woei Liang. Despite being the fact that 2LT Soh was only an MTT officer, he made every effort to “professionalize” the organization, or, at the very minimal, NCC East District.
My CLT course was a much controversial event for it was the first instance in NCC that so many CLTs passed out at the same time, with 0% failure rate. If my memory serves me well, on 23rd December 1995, 31st Intake Cadet Lieutenants Course declared a completion and appointment of 124 CLTs. Due to the dogma at that point in time which suggested that quality is inversely proportional to quantity, graduates of 31st Intake CLT course did not pass out with pride in the eyes of many. Nevertheless, we vowed silently to stay by our commitment we held when we signed the papers. Given such adverse opinions, my peers knew that honour and glory are to be paid in price of blood.
Straight after our POC, back in east district, each of us were assigned to a minimum of 5 IMT ranges and 3 live ranges within 3 months. Although hectic at times, we were given much opportunity to learn and meet targets. For example, I once conducted an IMT firing lesson, and even taken the live range appointment of chamber safety officer.
From the very first camp of the year of 1996, east district organize camps as per battalion organization, with staff officers and field officers. That was a new chapter in NCC for it was the first time NCC camps were organized that way. Standards of CLTs were raised to new heights then. CLTs were taken as real officers with real decisive powers. What I would still landmark as responsibility on CLT is when one of my friend (held DYS3 appointment then) drew out 250 M16-S1 rifles from 3SIR almost single-handedly.
Probably the one single camp that will be in our mind for the years to come is the Specialist Course of June 1996. It was significant for a few reasons; it was the largest camp in NCC so-far (6 companies totaling to 514 cadets, 20 NCC officers, 30 CLTs, 50 NCC senior specialists, 15 attached commando specialists and 1 attached commando CSM from 1CDO) with the largest number of cadets failing the course (104 trainees failed). In CPT Fernandez words, “This is the start of a new history.” In this camp, I held the appointment of S1.
From around April 1996, the idea of Senior Cadet Lieutenant was mooted by east district. This idea was proposed and approved by the NCC council in the third quarter of 1996. On 20th December 1996, the first batch of Senior Cadet Lieutenants was born, together with the graduation of 33rd Intake CLT course. I am promoted to S/CLT on that day.
OCS Commissioning Parade, NCC Officer Cadet Passing Out Ceremony, Senior Cadet Lieutenants’ promotion and Cadet Lieutenants’ Course Passing Out Ceremony were held after sunset for a significance......
When the sun rises the next day, you are a new person, with new rank and new responsibilities......
Our Flawed Leadership Development Program
“Dead men never tell tales.” That is what they say but the marvel of an archeologist is to tell the tales of the dead men. Here we are, facing a potentially “dead man” and with the tools of a forensic pathologist, we need to autopsy the dead to find out the seeds of the problems that plagued us now, to unveil the choppiness over the last couple of years.
We should ask ourselves, as planners, as executors of policies, what is the goal of the NCC’s leadership development program? Is the program aimed at developing independent leaders or is it targeted at producing faithful followers? I look upon the term “independent leaders” as persons of mind, of strategic thinking and planning. On the other hand, faithful followers are little more than mindless slaves. Independent leaders are highly sought-after throughout the course of history as able men, as pillars of states. However, they are extremely difficult to come by and they vary widely in skills and capabilities. Faithful followers, on the other hand, almost never arise from boot-lickers.
FIf the goal of NCC is to nurture independent leaders, then we must ask, what has been done to achieve this result? We can first dissect the leadership program into two consecutive parts, the specialist phase and the cadet officer phase. The major aspect that sees them different is the level of thought and execution. How has this program been flawed?
Firstly, regardless of level of authority, space is required for leadership development. Space of thought, space of creativity, space of responsibility are what is essential to develop a leader. With the increased in CLT intake from 1995, there is a massive increase in the numbers of CLTs available, resulting in at least a CLT in every unit. Despite the critical need for them in units, CLTs may impede the leadership trainings of specialists. They do this by exercising over-bearing control over the activities of the unit. This only results in severe decrement of space. Hence, immature leaders at the end of their service. This will further impact the organization as a whole when these specialists become CLTs themselves. What CLTs should do in unit is more of a supervisory and tuning role, instead of a direct execution role. Trainings should be run by the CSM of the unit instead of CLTs. CLTs should direct only when things are not in place. By doing so, two objectives are achieved, improved command and control of specialist; and witted supervision of the CLTs.
Secondly, knowledge is seemingly insufficient. Asking many specialists and CLTs alike, many do not know their roles well. Especially with the CLTs, where knowledge plays a critical role in their execution of duties, many do not even know the basic, such as, the difference between a CLT and a HI. There is no way to over-emphasis the importance of knowledge, for without it, there is only brute force and all is merely stone age.
Lastly, there is almost no form of continual training. Nearly all leadership is acquired through experience but experience can be a dangerous teacher. Given the lack of time, perhaps continual education can be carried out by circulars. Most CLTs are unaware of the latest happenings in policies, etc. This will undoubtedly lower the quality of the organization. Routine guidelines on training directions and needs; informative reads like people management, communications are just some of the types of information that seems frivolous but may boost the organization.
Conclusion
It has been 10 years since I first encountered NCC. I’ve seen the ups of certain things, as well as, almost what can be called a fall today. My only hope of this writing is not to target or criticize anyone but to bring to mind some of the things that had been overlooked. My two cents worth, as it is.
BY:HI (S/CLT) Maurice Ling Han Tong
Of (31st Intake CLT Course)
21st day of December, 2002
Time i posted this. Read it like a few months ago. Tho i aint involved in NCC now, but still, this is a good read, for whichever NCC cadets, or even non-NCC members.
ARE WE REALLY DEVELOPING LEADERS?
Are we really developing leaders or are we developing good followers whom we hope that some day, will emerge as leaders miraculously? This is the question that had been engulfing my mind almost every time I watch a new batch of Cadet Lieutenants or senior specialists in action. Before I indulge into this subject, I’ll like to acknowledge that I may not be a good leader in everybody’s eyes. In fact, I may even be an example of bad leadership in someone’s eyes, but nevertheless, I’ll like to state my views and give my two cents worth, therefore, please hear me out.
I held the appointment of administration specialist as a 3rd sergeant. Although many of my peers daunted this appointment but I enjoyed myself to handling the day to day administration of the unit and thus, learnt a great deal along the way. That was in 1994. Then, NCC did not have as many Cadet Lieutenants as today. The resultant effect was that we had to do all the planning and execution ourselves, of course, with some guidance from the unit’s Commanding Officer and 2nd-In-Charge. Perhaps it is the environment that pushed for the exhibition of leadership potential within ourselves, we could work and make things happen. Take for example the Annual ECA Orientation, we planned for every exhibit, display, and did all the set up. Although minor hiccups were present, we value the learning experience.
By the time we were in our Secondary 4s, we had planned for hiking and canoeing trips, as well as camps. When it was time for us to hand over the unit to the next batch of specialists, I can say that all the actively participating personnel were, to varied degrees, leaders by virtue. This had always been the case for us and our predecessors.
It has been six years since I left my secondary school. In these six years, I’ve seen the peak and pit in the standard of Cadet Lieutenants and senior specialists, which churned such avalanche of emotions that I have to pen my feel and thoughts down, what had gone wary, what were done right…… I dedicate this paper to the specialists and Cadet Lieutenants after me, in hope that they will not retrace our trenches.
My Walk to a Senior Cadet Lieutenant
In 1994, when the ex-NCC Commandant, LTC Swee Boon Chai, took over command of NCC and the ex-East District Commander, CPT Gerald Fernandez, took over East District, East District is ranked last among the three districts. In less than 18 months, East District topped the districts. An important man, besides CPT Fernandez, to be responsible for this is then the OIC MTT East District, 2LT Soh Woei Liang. Despite being the fact that 2LT Soh was only an MTT officer, he made every effort to “professionalize” the organization, or, at the very minimal, NCC East District.
My CLT course was a much controversial event for it was the first instance in NCC that so many CLTs passed out at the same time, with 0% failure rate. If my memory serves me well, on 23rd December 1995, 31st Intake Cadet Lieutenants Course declared a completion and appointment of 124 CLTs. Due to the dogma at that point in time which suggested that quality is inversely proportional to quantity, graduates of 31st Intake CLT course did not pass out with pride in the eyes of many. Nevertheless, we vowed silently to stay by our commitment we held when we signed the papers. Given such adverse opinions, my peers knew that honour and glory are to be paid in price of blood.
Straight after our POC, back in east district, each of us were assigned to a minimum of 5 IMT ranges and 3 live ranges within 3 months. Although hectic at times, we were given much opportunity to learn and meet targets. For example, I once conducted an IMT firing lesson, and even taken the live range appointment of chamber safety officer.
From the very first camp of the year of 1996, east district organize camps as per battalion organization, with staff officers and field officers. That was a new chapter in NCC for it was the first time NCC camps were organized that way. Standards of CLTs were raised to new heights then. CLTs were taken as real officers with real decisive powers. What I would still landmark as responsibility on CLT is when one of my friend (held DYS3 appointment then) drew out 250 M16-S1 rifles from 3SIR almost single-handedly.
Probably the one single camp that will be in our mind for the years to come is the Specialist Course of June 1996. It was significant for a few reasons; it was the largest camp in NCC so-far (6 companies totaling to 514 cadets, 20 NCC officers, 30 CLTs, 50 NCC senior specialists, 15 attached commando specialists and 1 attached commando CSM from 1CDO) with the largest number of cadets failing the course (104 trainees failed). In CPT Fernandez words, “This is the start of a new history.” In this camp, I held the appointment of S1.
From around April 1996, the idea of Senior Cadet Lieutenant was mooted by east district. This idea was proposed and approved by the NCC council in the third quarter of 1996. On 20th December 1996, the first batch of Senior Cadet Lieutenants was born, together with the graduation of 33rd Intake CLT course. I am promoted to S/CLT on that day.
OCS Commissioning Parade, NCC Officer Cadet Passing Out Ceremony, Senior Cadet Lieutenants’ promotion and Cadet Lieutenants’ Course Passing Out Ceremony were held after sunset for a significance......
When the sun rises the next day, you are a new person, with new rank and new responsibilities......
Our Flawed Leadership Development Program
“Dead men never tell tales.” That is what they say but the marvel of an archeologist is to tell the tales of the dead men. Here we are, facing a potentially “dead man” and with the tools of a forensic pathologist, we need to autopsy the dead to find out the seeds of the problems that plagued us now, to unveil the choppiness over the last couple of years.
We should ask ourselves, as planners, as executors of policies, what is the goal of the NCC’s leadership development program? Is the program aimed at developing independent leaders or is it targeted at producing faithful followers? I look upon the term “independent leaders” as persons of mind, of strategic thinking and planning. On the other hand, faithful followers are little more than mindless slaves. Independent leaders are highly sought-after throughout the course of history as able men, as pillars of states. However, they are extremely difficult to come by and they vary widely in skills and capabilities. Faithful followers, on the other hand, almost never arise from boot-lickers.
FIf the goal of NCC is to nurture independent leaders, then we must ask, what has been done to achieve this result? We can first dissect the leadership program into two consecutive parts, the specialist phase and the cadet officer phase. The major aspect that sees them different is the level of thought and execution. How has this program been flawed?
Firstly, regardless of level of authority, space is required for leadership development. Space of thought, space of creativity, space of responsibility are what is essential to develop a leader. With the increased in CLT intake from 1995, there is a massive increase in the numbers of CLTs available, resulting in at least a CLT in every unit. Despite the critical need for them in units, CLTs may impede the leadership trainings of specialists. They do this by exercising over-bearing control over the activities of the unit. This only results in severe decrement of space. Hence, immature leaders at the end of their service. This will further impact the organization as a whole when these specialists become CLTs themselves. What CLTs should do in unit is more of a supervisory and tuning role, instead of a direct execution role. Trainings should be run by the CSM of the unit instead of CLTs. CLTs should direct only when things are not in place. By doing so, two objectives are achieved, improved command and control of specialist; and witted supervision of the CLTs.
Secondly, knowledge is seemingly insufficient. Asking many specialists and CLTs alike, many do not know their roles well. Especially with the CLTs, where knowledge plays a critical role in their execution of duties, many do not even know the basic, such as, the difference between a CLT and a HI. There is no way to over-emphasis the importance of knowledge, for without it, there is only brute force and all is merely stone age.
Lastly, there is almost no form of continual training. Nearly all leadership is acquired through experience but experience can be a dangerous teacher. Given the lack of time, perhaps continual education can be carried out by circulars. Most CLTs are unaware of the latest happenings in policies, etc. This will undoubtedly lower the quality of the organization. Routine guidelines on training directions and needs; informative reads like people management, communications are just some of the types of information that seems frivolous but may boost the organization.
Conclusion
It has been 10 years since I first encountered NCC. I’ve seen the ups of certain things, as well as, almost what can be called a fall today. My only hope of this writing is not to target or criticize anyone but to bring to mind some of the things that had been overlooked. My two cents worth, as it is.
BY:HI (S/CLT) Maurice Ling Han Tong
Of (31st Intake CLT Course)
21st day of December, 2002
me
8:12 AM
Friday, October 21, 2005
Gee. Last day of school just came and gone and i ain't feeling no shit. What's wrong. Ha. Once the bell rang, everone scattered. Some took photos, some went off to find teachers to ask questions, the rest went home and there we are, my gang and i, the 8 eight of us, left alone in the class. Whats the deal. I mean, is it that difficult to just stop studying for one day, the last day where we are all in class as a zhonghua student? Man, wtf. Just go off and get your single digit for your L1R5 and leave your friends, you buncha muggers. I'll be back later in the night. Im outtie.
me
4:53 PM
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Moving back to today, i went to Saint Andrew's Junior College Open House today. Thats like the only jc that i wanna go to. Damn, don't even know if i can get in. At least my L1R5 looks more reasonable now, after drastic moderation from the school. Its only a few points off my initial crazy target!! =D Yea, the open house. I got a free shoe bag. HHAHAHA. And i sorta caught up with Jialing and Ros.
I really wanna go to SAJC. So I'll hope at the end of every future updates till the 3rd of January 2006. I hope that i can go to SAJC. In case i forget in the next update, i hope i can go to SAJC. Aight, I'm pooped. Imma sleep now. Take care. I'm outtie.
Mt class stayed over in school to study last night. And we, the guys at least, ended up talking about ghosts, the army, and how to react when you encounter intruders in your school. Yes, intruders. 4 dumb guys were spotted in school doing something that is too complicated to be explained here. Somehow, all the guys ended up wanting to catch them. Because of that, i had only 3 hours of sleep last night casue we were all talking about it throught the night. If you were one of them, and you are reading this now, DAMN YOU!
Moving back to today, i went to Saint Andrew's Junior College Open House today. Thats like the only jc that i wanna go to. Damn, don't even know if i can get in. At least my L1R5 looks more reasonable now, after drastic moderation from the school. Its only a few points off my initial crazy target!! =D Yea, the open house. I got a free shoe bag. HHAHAHA. And i sorta caught up with Jialing and Ros.
I really wanna go to SAJC. So I'll hope at the end of every future updates till the 3rd of January 2006. I hope that i can go to SAJC. In case i forget in the next update, i hope i can go to SAJC. Aight, I'm pooped. Imma sleep now. Take care. I'm outtie.
me
1:11 PM
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Went for a swim today with Brown Horse. The first in dont know how many million billion zillion gazillion magamizillion months. Had a great time, but Im completely worn out now. So i think imma stop here and TRY to study, while I also try NOT to fall asleep. Im outtie.
me
11:20 AM
Monday, October 10, 2005
And this,
And also this,
One more,
Another one,
And finally,
So now, i can go live in France, Ireland, Japan, Brazil AND Hawaii without having troubles of not fitting in! Plus, Im also a superhero. And i cant let you know my weakness.
Im taking a break from studying, which means, Im bored. So i took searched around the net and i got this,
| Your French Name is: |
 |
And this,
| Your Irish Name Is... |
 |
And also this,
| Your Japanese Name Is... |
 |
One more,
| Your Sexy Brazilian Name is: |
 |
Another one,
| Your Hawaiian Name is: |
 |
And finally,
| Your Superhero Profile |
 Your Superhero Name is The Suicide Flame Your Superpower is Extra-dimensional Your Weapon is Your Terra DartsYour Mode of Transportation is Phone Booth |
So now, i can go live in France, Ireland, Japan, Brazil AND Hawaii without having troubles of not fitting in! Plus, Im also a superhero. And i cant let you know my weakness.
me
8:43 AM
Sunday, October 09, 2005
.
I really thing that people should start blogging about what their readers can understand, and not about a mysterious "you" or "him" or "her". Half of the blogs i read are all about these mysterious identities.
.
So, whats there for me to blog about? Nothing. I'ma end it here. Back to studying. I'm outtie.
.
p.s lyna, here's your update, AGAIN.
Arghh. Frickin O's. I think this is the 1001th time im complaining about it. Not long ago, i was TRYING to study for my prelims. Now, I'm still TRYING to study for the O's. I can't do no shit other than study now. My prelim results are so bad that it can't be shown here.
.
I really thing that people should start blogging about what their readers can understand, and not about a mysterious "you" or "him" or "her". Half of the blogs i read are all about these mysterious identities.
.
So, whats there for me to blog about? Nothing. I'ma end it here. Back to studying. I'm outtie.
.
p.s lyna, here's your update, AGAIN.
me
12:31 PM
