The beginning of my 02 days were quite eventful as I attended the handing over parade which meant the installation of the new Commandant of NCC LTC Swee Boon Chai. It also marked the starting of a new program for NCC, which was, called NCC 2000. It was also the year where NCC was reorganised and the first batch of ARMY-NCC badge specialists were formed.
Training was now conducted in the afternoons. Sqn 02 days for me was just course after course. During the March holidays, I was one of the four 02s from NCC (AIR) who went for the only Tri-element Sailing Course which was conducted by NCC Sea. It was the first time that I ever attended a military camp. I spent 4 days and 3 nights there at Sembawang Sea Training Centre. The food was excellent and unmatched by following camps, which I attended. The course consisted of assembling and disassembling of the topper craft, the basic sailing techniques for it. I learnt quickly and was able to go solo in the topper craft after a dual run with a senior sea cadet. Nevertheless I was able to meet fellow air cadets, sea cadets and Ang Mo Kio school cadets who I would meet in the years to come.
In June that year, it marked my visits to various airbases in Singapore. On 6/6/95, I visited the I-Hawk and Rapier SADA Units and the radar unit in Lim Chu Kang Camp. The next day saw me up in the sky for my first ever ride in a Fokker 50 plane and a visit to the Air Traffic Controllers at Changi. And on the 8th was a visit to Seletar Airport where I rode in a 35mm AA Gun and the Flying Training School where I got a close up view of a SF260.
Orienteering was held in Jalan Teck Whye Camp where the Land Specialists taught us the basics of the Orienteering. There was no selection or try out for orienteering whatsoever and the afternoon session students were given the chance to be selected for the competition. The entire 02 squadron was there to support them on Pulau Tekong. I went home early that day by excusing myself from Squadron Commander Captain Mohammed and took the $3 ferry back to the mainland.
My Part B camp was held in Blk 149 Changi Camp, which made many firsts for me. Firstly it was my first time in an NCC AIR Camp and also the first time that I wore the No.4 unfortunately I didn't know how to fold up the sleeves and thus looked like more like a fool rather than a soldier. The 3 day camp saw myself learning Individual Field Craft and Trainfire for the first times. I got high marks for both of them and learnt a lot of the M-16. Another first was that of the live firing of the M-16 which I got 4 shots in the target out of 4. Not bad for a first timer eh? The last first was a visit to Paya Lebar Air Base where I had my first C-130 ride. The ride was short but it was an experience for me
In Early November, there was a canoeing experience for all the 02s and I used my experience from the sailing course to help my partmates master the art of canoeing. Incidentally, it was held at Sembawang Sea Training Centre.
In Mid November, there was a visit to the Sembawang Air Base. Much has changed since I last been there. The new control tower was in operation and the sight out there was beautiful. I was introduced to the idea how a real Air Force base works. I visited the Helicopter Simulation Centre where I flew the Super Puma helicopter. It was very fun taking off from Sembawang Air Base and heading between the chimneys of Senoko and onto the Causeway where my partmate Ronald Tan crashed into Malaysian Soil. As for me I took off from Sembawang, did a circuit and crashed into the crash gate at Sembawang while trying to land. What luck! It seemed so real. I had a joyride in the Super Puma Helicopter and it was fun riding with the doors open!!! I also visited our former HQ, which became an armoury for all the guns and rockets etc.
In December, I attended a Civil Defence Course which was held at a Civil Defence Camp next Eunos. Over the 3 days I learnt how to do CPR, rescue the wounded, do first aid and fight fires.