Fall in! 103 women take on standard obstacle course, handle rifles at first-ever women’s boot camp
Participants go through the Standard Obstacle Course on day two of the Women’s Boot Camp at Maju Camp on Sept 2, 2018.
SINGAPORE — Before dawn on Sunday (Sept 2), 103 recruits woke up from their beauty sleep in their military bunk beds at Maju Camp. After freshening up, they put on their haversacks and "fell in" in front of a 12-station standard obstacle course (SOC).
Over the next hour, some vaulted over walls, crawled through concrete tunnels, and climbed a low rope as they tried out the various stations.
Even through the sweat and exertion, they smiled, as these recruits were taking part in the first-ever women's boot camp at Maju Camp in Clementi.
Organised by the Ang Mo Kio Women's Executive Committee (WEC) and ACCORD — an advisory council set up by the Defence Ministry for the community to provide feedback on Singapore's defence — the two-day, one-night programme aims to give participants a glimpse of National Service (NS).
The boot camp — which initially allocated 100 slots — proved to be a hit among women, garnering more than 1,000 sign ups when registration closed at the end of July. The 103 participants were eventually chosen via a ballot. The oldest participant was 64 years old, and the youngest was 13-year-old student Athi Ramesh Athirah.
Besides trying out the obstacles in the SOC, they also learnt how to use the SAR21 rifle — one of the weapons used by full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) — tasted combat rations, smeared camouflage paint on their faces, and even went on a route march.
While the experience was only the "tip of the iceberg" compared with what NSFs go through, it was enough to leave participants wanting more.
Athi, who studies at Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) said: I want the (next camp) to be longer, because it will be more realistic. One night in and I already bonded so much with friends from all walks of life."
Agreeing, Ms Brenda Eng, 31, added: "I would definitely join again, and I hope that that the next time the duration can be even longer to give us a fuller experience of NS life.
For Ms Eng, a balloon supplier, the camp was made more meaningful as she had signed up with her family members: 55-year-old mother Chan Swee Lan, aunt Chan Swee Siang, 52, and sister Bernice Eng, 26.
"It's so meaningful that my family gets to be here with me. Many people were telling us their family and friends couldn't get a spot, so it means even more for us," added Ms Eng.
WEC chairman Joanna Portilla said that while managing the diverse age groups was a challenge, all of the participants were "game to try" the activities.
"We encouraged them and also stressed that safety is important. (But) everyone was enthusiastic and tried their best," said Ms Portilla.
Safety was a key topic that came up during several rounds of focus group discussions held during the camp, she added.
"As mothers or wives of NSmen, they (are concerned about) the safety measures that are put in place. By going through the (boot camp), they understand what safety measures (are in place), (and see that) they are repeatedly emphasised," she said.
Training safety in NS is an issue that has surfaced due to recent incidents involving NSFs, such as 19-year-old NSF Dave Lee Han Xuan who died in April almost two weeks after he was warded for heat stroke.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Maliki Osman, who attended the group discussions on Saturday, also acknowledged the women's concerns during the camp's closing ceremony.
Mdm Koh Wee Min, 50, whose son had just enlisted for NS, was initially one of the participants who was concerned about safety. After experiencing the boot camp, she said she was now more assured that her son is in good hands after going through protocols such as the daily temperature taking and water parades used to hydrate the soldiers.
DISPELLING STEREOTYPES
Besides allayings concerns over safety, the boot camp experience also dispelled some stereotypes about NS.
Ms Eng said that she used to associate NS with soldiers who "chao keng" (which means feigning illness in Hokkien), and she now sees the hard work and tough training that soldiers go through.
She also thought that NS was only a "thing for the guys". She added: "But after this, watching (the female officers) complete the obstacles, I feel there is so much more that we women can do."
This inaugural boot camp will become an indelible memory for some participants such as Ms Eng and her sister, as the former told TODAY: "The things we experienced in the boot camp will become the stories that we tell to (our grandchildren) and the generations to come."
With the boot camp proving to be a hit, Ms Portilla said that her team is currently studying the responses to see if there will be a second edition. "No confirmation for now, but definitely with the positive feedback, I would like to bring it back," she said.
