SJI NCC Land

History

1906
The St Joseph's Institution National Cadet Corps (Land) was formed with the late Capt. Caldbeck as its first Commanding Officer. It was then known as the SJI Army Cadet Corps.

1926
The Corps, which was disbanded during the outbreak of the First World War, was reformed under Capt. R. H. Pennefather.

SJI Cadet Corps Officers and NCOs in 1932 1933
Capt. R. H. Pennefather resigned his commission and was succeeded by Capt. C. V. Reutens. Up to the early thirties, the only other cadet unit in the whole of Singapore was Raffles Institution. The cadet’s uniform then consisted of Khaki drill shirt and shorts, knee-length puttees and slouch hats. One of the most significant contributions that the SJI Cadet Corps made in the history of Singapore was the readiness of its officers and some of its older members to answer the call for defence of Malaya and Singapore against the Japanese invaders at the outbreak of the Second World War.

1945
After the Japanese Occupation, the Corps was made a unit of the newly formed Singapore Military Force (SMF). Cadets took courses at the HQ of the SMF at Beach Road for the Certificate ‘A’ Proficiency Examination, Parts I and II. Annual Camps were held at Pulau Belakang Mati (now known as Sentosa Island). By this time, the Corps had obtained a new outlook- the slouch hats were replaced by brown berets and puttees by gaiters.
1956
The Corps celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a gala shooting competition between the old and the new cadets. During this period, the uniform underwent another change. This time, the brown berets were replaced by green ones and were worn with a new cap-badge. The gaiters were discarded and a new type of puttees with hose tops were issued with green jungle web belts.

1957
The Corps of Drums was formed within the Unit. Incidentally, the present SJI Military Band was once part of the Corps.

1959
The Corps became attached to the Royal Army Service of the British Army.

1962
The cadets mounted the Guard-of-Honour at the Singapore Airport to welcome the Superior-General of the C.B.S. With the retirement of Capt. Lim Choo Sye, Capt. T. O. Aeria took over the Corps.

1963
For the first time in its history, Capt. Aeria invited boys from St. Joseph’s Secondary School (as the afternoon session was then called) to join its ranks. Prior to this, membership had been restricted to senior pupils from the morning session. In that year, two outstanding cadets L/Cpls Tham Chee Onn and Peter Gan successfully completed the O.B.S. Course at Lumut.

1967
Major Tang Wing Kee took over as the Commanding Officer from Capt. Aeria. The Cadet Corps mounted a big parade on Founder’s Day to welcome Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the then Prime Minister. Sgt. Stephen Wong, an outstanding cadet was selected to represent the Singapore Army Cadet Corps at the India Independence Day Parade in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew inspects the Guard of Honour on Founder's Day in 1967 1968
Major Tang Wing Kee was selected by the British Army to attend a course at the Outward Bound School at Lumut. Sgt. Henry Wang brought honour to the Unit by winning the prestigious Major Anwar Latiff Trophy for being the Individual Best Shot in the whole of Singapore.

1969
With the abolition of the Annual Inspection Parade by HQ NCC, Major Tang Wing Kee organised the first Passing Out Parade for recruits.

1971
This year marked the end of the close association had, since its establishment, with the British Army. For thirteen years, the Cadet Corps had been affiliated to the 32nd Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport (RCT), an association which saw officers and men of the unit offering their invaluable mentorship to the young cadets during training and adventure camps. During a special parade which was held to mark the end of this close association, the Corps was presented a pace stick by Lt. Col. STM Pledger, CO 32nd RCT as a parting gift, a gift which has ever since been always jealously treasured and proudly carried by all the Company Sergeant Majors of SJI NCC (Land).

1974
2Lt. Bala Ganesan, who was awarded the Sword-of-Honour during his training, joined the Unit and became its CO in 1977.1975
Under the NCC Attachment Scheme, the Unit was attached to 2SIR, which provided invaluable help and instructions through his NCOs.

1976
The SJI NCC (Land) emerged City District Champion in the Haddon Cup Drill Competition. As a result, the Unit was selected to represent the city district in the NCC Day Parade and the national Day Parade of that year. Major Tang Wing Kee was promoted Assistant District Commander of the National Cadet Corps.

1977
The strength of the Cadet Corps was 165.

1995
The Unit, renowned for its high standard of discipline, morale and performance, was the third best Unit in the Central District and the sixth best Unit in Singapore. Many of our Part C cadets were selected to march in the NCC Day Parade and 15 of the Part C cadets were selected to take part in the National Day Parade. On NCC Recognition Day, MSG Henry Chow received the NCC Outstanding Award. He was one of the 23 cadets in Singapore selected to receive the prestigious award and commendation.

1996
On 13th July during the NCC Day Parade at the Safti Military Institute, the Unit was awarded the prestigious Gold Award for the best Unit competition. For the first time, SJI NCC (Land) was selected to form a marching contingent. For the second consecutive year, the Unit produced an outstanding cadet. MSG Martin Chua received the award at the NCC Recognition Day Ceremony.

1997
Ex-CSM Alvin Tjioe did the Unit proud by passing out as the Best Trainee in the NCC Cadet Lieutenant Course.

1998
For the first time in its history, SJI NCC (Land) clinched top spot in the Best Unit Competition, and was presented the prestigious award during the NCC Day Parade on the 25th July, held at Khatib Camp. Major Tang Wing Kee was also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

2000
In the Annual Orienteering Competition held at Pulau Tekong, SJI NCC (LAND) emerged first in Group D. The team members were LCP Teo Eng Siang, LCP Melvin Lee, LCP Daniel Ang and LCP Vicknesh Tanggarasa.
Ex-cadet Bernard Low proved himself as capable as he is enthusiastic, emerging the Best OCT from the NCC Officer’s course.
The unit also celebrated a unique quadruple achievement in the three phrases of the Specialists Course. 2SG Melvyn Tan was chosen as Course Best Trainee, while 2SG Dennis Loo, 2SG Ng Wee Jim and 2SG Ng Jun Kiat were chosen as Platoon Best Trainee.

2002
The unit is proud to be awarded the Gold Award for the Best Unit Competition. This is the 7th consecutive year we clinched this award. Furthermore, we were also awarded the NCC Best Land Boys Unit and Overall Best NCC Unit awards.

A Muster Parade in 2003