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Covid-19 safety measures no hindrance to BMT on Pulau Tekong, say recruits, commanders

SINGAPORE — As Recruit Sebastian Chew's enlistment date for his Basic Military Training (BMT) in July grew closer, the 21-year-old could not help but feel some unease as Singapore, like much of the world then, was still tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recruits putting on their masks during a training session at BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong, Oct 1, 2020.

Recruits putting on their masks during a training session at BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong, Oct 1, 2020.

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  • Recruits and commanders on Pulau Tekong say training standards have not eased despite safety measures to curb spread of Covid-19
  • Conducting of training activities in small groups allows commanders to focus their attention on weaker soldiers
  • Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said Singapore must maintain a strong SAF despite Covid-19

 

SINGAPORE — As Recruit Sebastian Chew's enlistment date for his Basic Military Training (BMT) in July grew closer, the 21-year-old could not help but feel some unease as Singapore, like much of the world then, was still tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aside from concerns from his parents over his health, Recruit Chew also wondered if safe distancing measures would mean being confined to his bunk, thus preventing any chance to bond with his fellow enlistees in the BMT Centre School 1’s Cougar Company.

But more importantly, he said, his thoughts had also turned to whether he would remain stuck on Pulau Tekong even after the mandatory two-week confinement period.

“But when we came in, everything was good and carried on smoothly,” said Recruit Chew on Thursday (Oct 1), adding that training has remained vigorous despite the safety measures in place.

Recruits at BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong on Oct 1, 2020. Photo: Raj Nadarajan

Recruits get to leave the island on weekends after the initial two weeks of confinement.

Morale among the trainees is high, said other recruits interviewed by TODAY.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) had invited the media to the island to speak to trainees about their experiences of starting their National Service stint in the time of Covid-19.

Mindef said on Thursday that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is progressively stepping up its training tempo in the coming months.

The training of recruits was suspended for seven weeks when the circuit breaker to restrict activities was implemented in April to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and resumed in late May with safety measures in place.

This includes, among other things, twice-daily temperature taking, mandatory washing of hands before and after every meal and the frequent disinfection of common areas.

A recruit walks past practice targets during training at BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

In May, the SAF implemented Swab and Send Home — a programme to test for Covid-19.

To aid contact tracing, it also put in place a ticketing system in early August for passengers of the ferries that ply the waters between Pulau Tekong and the SAF Ferry Terminal.

To date, two cohorts of recruits have since completed their basic training under the various safety measures.

While some initial adjustments were needed, First Warrant Officer (1WO) Hardial Singh said training standards have not been compromised.

In fact, the 58-year-old platoon commander for Cougar Company said that conducting activities in smaller groups allows trainers to focus on coaching weaker soldiers.

The downside is that activities such as preparing the recruits for their live firing could take the entire day due to staggered training. In contrast, it took just half a day before Covid-19, said 1WO Singh.

However, while other groups are waiting for their turn to practise, they are not left idle as the commanders have other activities, such as physical training, in store for them.

“The training standards have not changed, they are still the same,” said 1WO Singh.

As a testament to the company’s training standards, he pointed out that two of the recruits had recently achieved a gold award in their physical training test — a milestone for the recruits who are all part of a company whose members are obese.

Newly arrived recruits to BMT Centre on Pulau Tekong having their lunch on Oct 1, 2020. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

Recruit Chew, who was one of the gold award winners, said it was quite a feat for him considering he was not able to pass his fitness test before enlistment.

Now, he is able to complete his 2.4km run in 10 minutes and 21 seconds. He has also shed around 12kg from his original weight of 85kg.

“It’s quite a common occurrence throughout the entire company. Everyone is improving (on their fitness). There're quite a number of silver (awards) when it was just mainly failures (at the start).”

Fellow recruit Abdul Hafiz, who scored a silver award after living a sedentary lifestyle before enlistment, said that aside from the added safe distancing measures, he does not feel like his basic training is any different from that of his older friends.

The 20-year-old said: “I don't think we are at a disadvantage (in terms of training). It is just that we have to put in more effort to ensure this virus situation is controlled and we don’t spread it to others.”

Also present on Pulau Tekong on Thursday was Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower.

He was on his maiden trip to the training centre since his Cabinet promotion in July and was there to observe a group of new enlistees taking the oath of allegiance.

Due to safe management measures in place, not all 256 recruits who enlisted on Thursday took their oaths at the same time. A total of 4,000 recruits will be enlisted this quarter.

Speaking to the media at the end of his visit, Mr Zaqy said that Singapore must maintain high levels of military readiness and preparation, even as measures are put in place to ensure that the health and safety of servicemen are taken care of during this period.

“Covid-19 or not, I think it is important that we continue to maintain a strong SAF for future generations,” he said.

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