Beyond the call of duty!

Having been chosen to participate in the National Day Parade 2010 was at first thought to be an arduous undertaking. It requires vast commitment on our part with countless rehearsals to attend. We need to be mentally focused during trainings and endure the scorching afternoon sun at the same time. However, with all said, there are many people who come to enjoy parade trainings and show overwhelming enthusiasm in the National Day Parade.

From the Naval Diving Unit, LTA Justin Kwan Jing Ming and CPL Leon Ng Kang Boon went beyond their call of duty and participated in this year's National Day Parade despite the fact that they have already completed their National Service.
"As a school boy, I watched with envy as soldiers decked in their smart ceremonial uniform marched past the president and I dreamt of doing the same. I did not get the chance to participate last year so when the opportunity came by this year, I did not hesitate to grab it. Although my NSF liability ended on January 2010, having to extend my service was more of an honour than a hindrance for this once in a lifetime experience."

LTA Justin Kwan Jing Ming honourably representing the Naval Diving Unit in the Colours Party.

Despite having participated in the National Day Parade twice during his term of National Service, CPL Leon Ng was still filled with excitement and enthusiasm when he was asked to join this year's National Day Parade as a participant in the Mobile Column Display.
"Being able to participate for the third time in for NDP and proudly fly the Singapore flag is something that I cherish the most. It is also an honour and privilege for me to serve as the Maritime Security Wave in the Mobile Column Display with my batch boys. It makes me proud to be a Singaporean and to be a Naval Diver."

CPL Leon Ng suited up to perform in the Maritime Security Wave of the Mobile Column.

Both of them portrayed their patriotism to Singapore by devoting their time and effort in making the National Day Parade a success. They are a showcase of pride from the Naval Diving Unit as they have brought forth the passion, commitment and positive attitude inculcated in them.

Diver Ed

Dedication, as one!

With training after training conquered, it has been an eventful 3 months since the beginning of this journey and it is indeed satisfying to see how far we’ve came in preparing for the big day which is less than a month away. From juggling with multiple drill trainings from the SAF day parade to keeping up with our operational training tempo, our unwavering commitment to make NDP 2010 a great parade has never failed to bring us through the most jam-packed schedules.

Along the way, fatigue from the hectic schedule has inevitably obscured our purpose of this whole NDP journey. However, at the heart of the matter, as we delve deeper into ourselves and look at others around us, inspiration never fell short. The Naval Participation Committee takes great efforts to ensure the welfare of us naval personnel, from the smallest gesture of providing extra refreshments for everyone, to personal visits by Commanders .
Drill trainers relentlessly guide the contingent to sharpen our drills and have made us improve in leaps and bounds, achieving standards we never thought we were capable of.

CNV engaging with mobile column personnel

1WO Ong Yew Beng (left) guiding the Guard-Of-Honour contingent.

Such efforts stem from the belief and hope that they bear in us, and that they are here with us to make the parade a success. With so much heart and soul invested, just being a part of the the parade brings a certain pride to us as Naval personnel, and we resolve that we, as one navy will stand together to achieve (:

Guard-Of-Honour Trainers with the Navy Guard-Of-Honour

As the bus left the berth at Suntec City, I look to the marshalls who ensured that everyone was deployed back to camp smoothly before they could pack up themselves.… A deep respect for these people who work behind the scenes grow within me and I began to see how the NDP motto relates to us all so aptly. Together as one, WOW!

Diver Say

Embodying the Singapore Spirit

For what was thought to be another tiresome Saturday sacrificed for doing drills in preparation for NDP, turned out to seem as a worthy effort reinforced with a clear purpose.

Before setting off for the long day ahead, Chief Of Navy, Rear-Admiral Chew engaged with the Navy's Guard-of-Honour contingent and shared with us wise words of inspiration. It was particularly thought-provoking as CNV brought up the significance of NDP from when our Nation was born. With separation from Malaysia and a whole host of teething problems as a young nation, National Day Parades displayed the essence of Singapore – not just its military capabilities and various entities of society, but more importantly the spirit, resilience, determination and belief of its people. For as much as our Nation has flourished into a highly-developed city state today, the Singapore spirit embodied in our people still resonates strongly generations after generations.

First National Day Parade in 1966 and a parade rehearsal for 2010.

Mobile Display in 1968 and 2010 respectively.

In celebration of which, it is with deep honour that we, participants in NDP 2010 should embrace this opportunity of a lifetime, and relish in the spirit of representing the Nation. As the Guard of Honour representing the Navy, I would now take on NDP with a newfound purpose; that I'll put in my utmost effort to do pride to to the unit, the Navy and fellow people of Singapore. HOOYA!



Diver Say