Singapore's Minister for Defence visits the Infantry Training Institute

photo mindef.gov.sg

October 17, 2011 defpro.com

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the Infantry Training Institute (ITI) at Jurong Camp II this afternoon. The visit was hosted by Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh. As part of the visit, Dr Ng was briefed on the latest developments in ITI, including how ITI has updated its training pedagogies for National Service (NS) unit training through improved technologies and processes. This has also translated to more effective and efficient training methods at the individual level where National Servicemen (NSmen) are refreshed and revalidated on their combat skills during In-Camp Training (ICT). Dr Ng also visited the 724th Guards Battalion on its first day of ICT at the SAFTI 100m range and joined in the combat proficiency shoot with the unit's NSmen.

During the visit at the range, Dr Ng took the opportunity to interact with the NSmen and personnel from ITI. Speaking after the visit, Dr Ng spoke about the importance of making training effective and realistic for NSmen. He said, "Our goal is to make training realistic and meaningful so that when they finish it, they know that what they have been doing as a unit or individually, they have gained proficiency and are more confident about their own abilities." Dr Ng also acknowledged the contributions of NSmen and spoke about the various recognition schemes, such as the National Service Recognition Award, that MINDEF has in place.

Also present at the visit were Minister of State for Defence and Education Mr Lawrence Wong and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.

(Additional resporces, including a photo gallery and a video can be viewed at http://goo.gl/11ZOu)