Chapter 5: Serving with Pride and Dedication
History
The Early Years
The aim of
the Cadet
Corps
movement
was to
improve the
physique and
discipline of
the boys, and
to inspire
them with
ideals of
spirit-de-corps
and
patriotism.
The History of the National Cadet Corps dates as far back as
May 1901 when Mr. C M Phillips, the acting principal of
Raffles Institution, formed a cadet corps which comprised of
existing and graduated Rafflesians.
By 1905, the Raffles Institution Cadet Corps had an armoury
and a cadet band. In 1906, the St. Joseph’s Institution Cadet
Corps was formed.
The Cadet Corps in Singapore during those early years were
aimed at training the youths for the Local Volunteer Corps
rather than just another youth organisation. The interest and
enthusiasm level however began to wane during the First
World War, and by the end of 1916, it was practically
moribund1.
In 1917, steps were taken by the education authorities then to
revive the Cadet Corps with new agendas in mind. It was
decided that six schools (Raffles Institution, St. Joseph’s
Institution, Anglo Chinese School, St. Andrew’s school,
Outram Road School and Victoria Bridge School) should
each have a Cadet Unit. This time, the Cadet Corps in the
schools would be entirely separated from that of the
Volunteer Corps. The aim of the movement was to improve
the physique and discipline of the boys, and to inspire them
with ideals of esprit de corps2 and patriotism.
In 1918, all the selected schools formed their Cadet Units
under the command of their own Cadet Officers. NCOs from
various military regiments in Singapore and Wardens from
the prisons helped in the training which included squad drill,
learning about the rifle, signalling and military games.
1 - On the verge of extinction or termination
2 – a sense of unity and of common interests and responsibilities, as closely developed among a group of persons closely associated in a task, cause, enterprise
etc.
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The worth of the military training became apparent during the outbreak of the Second World War. A
large number of the cadets from St. Joseph’s Institution, St. Patrick’s School and Raffles Institution
joined the SVC and fought against the Japanese troops in the defence of Singapore.
The Cadet Corps movement was later revived in the post-war years.
Singapore Sea Cadet Corps
The Singapore Sea Cadet Corps started in 1948 with the
formation of a unit from the Junior Technical School. With its
training syllabus based on that of the UK Sea Cadet Corps, the
Corps soon expanded to include five more school units and
two open units by 1951.
The Corps HQ was a converted Japanese Patrol Craft moored
in the Kallang Basin. It was later shifted to a PWD office, then
to a petrol kiosk and finally under the Merdeka Bridge.
Air Cadet Training Corps
The Air Cadet Training Corps was officially recognised on 14th
July 1949, when the Singapore Legislative Assembly passed
the “MATC Ordinance 1949 Bill” whereby all administration
and training of the Corps were governed by this ordinance3
under the control of the Defence Ministry. This jurisdiction
was transferred to the Education Ministry in 1963.
In 1969, the
land, sea, air
and girl cadets
as well as the
police cadets
were integrated
as one.
.organisationthe National
Cadet Corps.
In 1965, the Ministry of Education launched its Cadet Corps expansion programme. The programme was
launched by the Ministry to meet the demands of the Republic in preparation for the first National
Service in 1967.
In 1967, the first girls’ unit was formed in girls’ and mixed schools.
National Cadet Corps
In 1969, the land, sea, air and girl cadets as well as the police cadets were integrated under one
organisation- the National Cadet Corps.
The year 1969 also saw the establishment of the NCC Headquarters which is responsible for the training,
discipline and welfare of the cadet movements. In 1970, the Police Arm left the NCC to form the NPCC
under the Ministry of Home Affairs when the then Ministry of Interior and Defence was re-organised to
form two separate Ministries. NCC continued to be under the Ministry of Defence.
3 – an authoritative rule or law
By 1971, there were 82 Land (Boys) units, 52 Land (Girls) units, 3 Sea Training centres and an Air
Training centre.
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1984 also saw the first batch of girls recruited into our NCC Sea and Air units.
Today, NCC is one of the largest Uniformed Groups in the MOE family of Uniformed Groups with a
wide variety of programmes. NCC syllabuses not only consist of adventure training but also an
opportunity to participate in overseas trips.
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Code of Conduct
1
2
3
4
5
6
• A Cadet is loyal to the Nation and to the
Corps
• A Cadet is physically fit and courageous.
• A Cadet is trustworthy and responsible.
• A Cadet is disciplined and hardworking.
• A Cadet is always willing to help others.
• A Cadet is friendly and considerate
towards others.
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Core Values
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Organisational Structure of The National Cadet Corps
Chairman
NCC Council
Dy Chairman
NCC Council
MOE Representatives
NCC Council
Members
Co Curricular
Activities
Branch
Administration
Branch
Land
Central
Commandant
NCC
Schools
Division
Logistics
Branch
MINDEF
Representatives
NCC Council Members
Airforce
Sergeant
Major
Training
Cadre
Information
Management
Centre
Training
Branch
Land
West
Land
East
Navy
Sea
Air
NCC Units
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Who’s who
Chairman NCC Council
Dr. Arthur K L Beng, BBM
Dy Chairman NCC
COL Ng Wai Kit, ACGS (TRG), MINDEF
MOE Representaives- Co
Curricular Branch
Mr. Goh Eik Piang,
DY Director CCA, EPD-MOE
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MOE RepresentativesSchools Division
a. Mrs Susan Chan Yoke Kate,
DY Director Schools Branch
West Schools Div, MOE
b. Mr. Tan Teck Hock,
Principal Serangoon Junior College
c. Mrs Tan Jong Lek,
Principal Clementi Town Sec School
d. Mr. Victor Giam Chong Guan,
Principal Gan Eng Seng Sec School
e. Mr. Lee Yan Kheng,
Principal Tanjong Katong Sec School
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f. Mr. Tan Yee Kan,
Principal, Yishun Town Sec School
Commandant NCC
LTC Adrian Koh Yong Chua
MINDEF
Representatives- Air
force
LTC Leong Kum Wah,
HD Air TRG Dept
HQ RSAF
MINDEF
Representatives- Navy
COL Tan Wei Ming
TRACOM Com,
HQ RSN
Sergeant Major
1WO Christopher Brian De Silva
Administration Branch
MAJ (NCC) Chiang Kip Tuck
Head Administration
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Logistics Branch
MAJ (NCC) Bob Chan
Head Logistics
Training Cadre
MAJ (NCC) Chua Ah Ti
Head Training Cadre
Training Branch
a. MAJ (NCC) Tan Seng Chye
Head Training Management
b. MAJ (NCC) Singam
Head Training Branch
Information Management
Centre
CPT (NCC) Luke Tan
Head Information Management
Land central
CPT (NCC) Dickson Ng
Commander Central
Land West
CPT (NCC) Elizabeth Lee
Commander West
Land East
MAJ (NCC) James Foo
Commander East
Sea
MAJ (NCC) Oliver Tan
Commander Sea
Air
CPT (NCC) Angela Soh
Commander Air
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Significance of the NCC Flags and Torch
The NCC Flag consists of three equal vertical bands of colour; RED on two sides and WHITE in the
center.
Each feature has its own distinctive meaning and significance: RED symbolises universal brotherhood
and equality of men: WHITE symbolises purity and virtue. The NCC badge is depicted in the centre of
the white band. The standard size of the NCC Flag is a ratio of 3:2 (L: 3 and W: 2). The Red colour used
for the NCC Flag is Chilli Red, Code 593C.
Emblazoned upon the centre of the white panel is the NCC badge. The NCC badge consists of a shield,
with the symbol of the sun in the background. Ten golden beams radiate from the sun, symbolising the
formation of our new country. Surrounding this sun is a blue ring with the words, “National Cadet
Corps”. Another 122 golden beams radiate outwards ending at the edge of the shield, symbolising unity
and strength. Below the shield is a banner inscribed with the word, “Singapore”.
In the foreground is the Lion, a symbol of Bravery, Courage and Strength of the youths of Singapore.
The sword held by the Lion symbolises the Defence of our Country. Sitting on top of the Badge is the
State Crest. This symbolizes the fact that the National Cadet Corps is a National Body, formed by the
Government of Singapore to serve the nation’s youth.
The Star Crest consists of a shield emblazoned with a white crescent moon and five stars against a red
background. Red is symbolic of universal brotherhood and equality of man, and the white signifies
pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The five stars represent the five ideals of democracy, peace,
progress, justice, and equality. Supporting the shield are a lion on the left and a tiger on the right. Below
the shield is a banner bearing the Republic’s motto, Majulah Singapura. The lion represents Singapore
itself and the tiger, the island’s historical links with Malaysia.
Colours of NCC
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NCC Acts
The NCC Council
By 1971, there were 82 Land (Boy) units, 52 Land (Girl) units, 3 Sea Training Centres and an Air
Training Centre. The NCC Council was established in 1971. The 11-man council comprised of senior
officials from the Education and Defence Ministries (as seen in the organizational structure chart).
1972 saw the promulgation of the NCC Act. The NCC Act 1972 covers the following areas:
 Organisation.
 Establishment of the NCC Council.
 Appointment of Commandant.
 Appointment of Officers, HO, & HI.
 Secondment of SAF personnel.
 Punishment of Cadet.
 Board Of Inquiry
 Compensation.
 Liability.
 Arms Offences / Explosives Act.
 NCC Regulations
Minister’s Approval.
Matters concerning the Commandant.
Matters concerning School Principals.
Matters affecting COs of Units.
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The Cadet Corps in Singapore during
the early years was aimed at training
the youths for the Local Volunteer
Corps than making it into another
youth organisation.
In 1969, the Land, Sea, Air and Girl
Cadets as well as the Police Cadets
were integrated under one
organisation- the National Cadet
Corps.
Key
Learning
Points
The NCC Flag consists of three equal
vertical bands of colour; RED on two
sides and WHITE in the center. RED
symbolises universal brotherhood
and equality of men: WHITE
symbolises, purity and virtue. The
NCC badge is depicted in the centre
of the white band.
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The NCC Council was established in
1971. The 11-man council comprised
of senior officials from the Education
and Defence Ministries
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Reflection Questions
Think about these reflective questions and try and develop a possible response to it:
Q1. In your view what are some of the problems that youths these days will face if NCC was
not instituted in schools?

Lack of discipline

Lack of physical fitness

Lack of exposure to knowledge other than what is found in books

Lack of understanding about relationships

Lack of managing difficult/stressful situations

Lack of patriotism towards the nation

Lack of understanding the needs of the general populace

Lack of applying lifesaving skills when required

Lack of management skills

Lack of leadership skills

Lack team building skills

Lack of generative conversations skills

Lack of understanding your own self: your strengths and weakness
Q2. What do you understand or what does it mean to mean to you by the NCC Code of
Conduct of “A Cadet is always willing to help others”?

The need to understand that people have problems.

The need to realise that we must be willing to help others regardless of race, language or
religion.

The need to realise that as NCC Cadets the eye of the society is always on us and that we
must live up to the values and code of code conduct of NCC.

There must never be a second thought creeping into a NCC cadet when wanting to help
other. It must be spontaneous.

The need to understand that help must be given not only to the underprivileged but also
to all able body citizens.
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