WHAT WE LEARNT IN
SEKOLAH PEGAWAI
KEDET
1. Before 1979, the Officer Cadets (OC) training were divided into two-phases. The Phase One called 'Preliminary Officer Cadets Training Unit (Pre-OCTU) was conducted in Kem Sebatang Karah Port Dickson for 4-6 months. In this phase the OCs were trained basic military training such as Physical Training, Drills, Weaponry/Shooting etc. The main role of this phase was to convert the OCs from civilians to military man/personnel.
2. Those who passed in Phase One will qualify to further 'Phase Two' training in Cadet Wing of Royal Military College, Sungai Besi. In RMC the OCs were trained to be a military officers and leaders.
3. RMC was esablished in 1952 (located in Port Dickson) with the main role to train future military leaders. Initially RMC is known as Malay Regiment Training Centre and later in 1953 the name changed to Federal Military College (FMC). The college has two main wings namely; Cadets Wing and Boys Wing. In 1961 RMC was relocated to Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur and in 1966 the name of FMC was changed to Royal Military College (Maktab Tentera DiRaja).
4. Due to high demand of military officers to fulfilled the requirement of Armed Forces development to fight the communist terrorist (insurgency warfare) the enrollment of officer cadets were also increased tremendously. In 1979, Pre-OCTU was abolished and SPK was established in 1979 the first intake of SPK (it was Intake TJP36) commenced in Julai. They were camped at Kem Sebatang Karah.
5. However SPK only to train Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Officers for the Army and Air Force only. The Navy trained their OCs in KD Pelandok. The OCs intake for Regular Commissioned Officer is trained by RMC.
6. Intake TJP37 reported to SPK in 2nd April 1980. With the huge number of cadets (300), the facilities in Kem Sebatang Karah were inadequate. The Armed Forces decided to take over Kem Segenting (neighbouring camp of Kem Sebatang Karah) to accomodate the OCs Kem Segenting was formerly sited one of the Army Battalion.
7. Intake TJP37 was divided into three; Tuah Battalion, Jebat Battalion and Kasturi Battalion.
8. Tuan Bn accommodated at Kem Sebatang Karah, whilst Jebat Bn and Kasturi Bn were located at Kem Segenting. Kem Segenting was accommodating the TJP cadet officers from 1980 to 1982, ie Intake 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43.
9. In 1982 the construction of new complex of SPK was completed. The new location is between Kem Sebatang Karah and Kem Segenting. Intake TJP43 was the pioneer of this camp. Finally the SPK complex were closed in 1987 when the individual service (TDM and TUDM) owned their respective SPK. The SPK complex were taken over by Army Artillery School (PUSARTI) and former SPK Kem Segenting was taken over by Army Armour School (PULAMOR).
10. Those are 'short and complicated' history of SPK.
11. Back to our training (TJP 37). After the dissolution of Pre-OCTU, the training module for the OCs were combined in SPK (Pre-OCTU Module plus RMC Module). The ONE YEAR training was compressed into 9 month only. The OCs has no choice to be trained day and night in order to complete the syllabus. At 0600 to 0700 OCs went for Physical Training handled by PTIs. After PT OCs went for shower changed to PD Green and proceed for breakfast. At 0800 all the OCs went to the parade square for drills training and finished at 1000. After half-an-hour break all the OCs went for classroom military studies. After one hour PT and 2 hrs 'Kawad' you can imagine how the OCs look like. This was the time where OCs enjoyed the SLAPS, PUNCHED, HEAD-KNOCKED, STAR-LIGHTS, PRESS-UP, STAR-JUMPS and ROUND THE BLOCKS.
12. After 90 minutes lunch break, at 1400H, all the OCs went for field training such weapon, shooting, IMP, Map Reading, Tactics and Signal until 1700. 1700 - 1800 was a game time either football. volleyball, takraw, TTS or POCKY drill.
13. 1800 to 2000 was time for cleaning, surau and dinner. By 2000H all the OCs will be in the classroom for 'class prep' like in the boarding school. Only by 2200H the rest time came. In April (at that time Intake 36 was still around preparing their commissioning parade) every night they came down from Kem Sebatang Karah to give HELL to their juniors for about one hours. The OCs must switched off the light by 2300H. Sometime we 'CURI-CURI' polished our drill boots by using candles. Time constraints.
14. Once upon time, may be one in fort night, the instructors distubed the OCs (depend on what COCK-UP done by the OCs in the day training). Normally we got punished with FSMO on the parade square or PT field. Or CHANGE PARADE! End up 000H.
15. Those are the routine of Officer Cadets life in SPK.
16. As I listed in Chapter I, OCs were trained in various military knowledge; such as:
- Drills
- Field Warfare Knowledge
- Weapon Handing and Shooting
- Tactics
- Map Reading
- Signal and Radio Communication
- Administration
- Military Ettiquette
- Staff Duties and Military Writing
- Military Laws
- General Service Knowledge
- POPO etc
Drills @ Kawat
17. In the MILITARY (ATM), the Malay word used for drill is KAWAD. Word KAWAT is used for signal. But when I check the 'Kamus Dewan', there is no susting of word 'KAWAD'. Either drill or signal, the word used is KAWAT. Another meaning for KAWAT is wire. Eg: bulb wire fence mean 'pagar kawat duri'. A Foot Drill is an essential part of the military training regiment of today's Armed Forces. "Foot Drill" or "Drill" stems from the seventeenth century, when soldiers used to march into battle, where they would be expected to gather in a formation, and react to words of command from their commanders once the battle commenced; for example, "Fix Bayonets", which is still used today, albeit not on the battle field, but to provide a spectacle at military events and parades. Much of the drill done today is either ceremonial, or implemented as a core part of training in the Armed Forces. Military discipline is enhanced by drill, as it requires instant obedience to commands.
18. Drill came into its own when marching formations of soldiers cross-country. For example, officers could form men from an eight-wide route march formation to a two-wide formation for passing through gates and other narrow passages, without losing time or cohesion. Drill was used to efficiently maneuver formations around and through obstacles. Drill was often used as a forerunner to great battles; during them it justified itself. It was also utilized after battles, where quick restoration of the corporate unity of an element was required.
Drill Commands
19. Most of the commands in modern drill are separated into two distinct parts; the Preparatory Command, and the Command of Execution. The preparatory command indicates to the person performing the movement that a command of execution is soon to follow. The command of execution indicates the movement to be performed. An example of this is the command "Present ARMS", which is utilized to command a group of soldiers to render salute. In this command, the word "Present" is the preparatory command, whereas the following word, "ARMS" is the command of execution. The movement is performed immediately upon reception of the execution command.
"angkat kaki, lutut paras, hentak padat"
"satup, dua, tiga, satupp"
Drill Movements
20. All drill movements are performed from the base position of Attention. In this position, the person performing the movement stands straight, arms down and slightly flexed, fingers curled in to the palm, thumbs pointed down and placed against the seam of the trouser, and the feet positioned at a forty-five degree angle with heels together. The most common command given by leaders to gather their elements into formations, standing at attention, is the command "Fall in". From this position, almost any other drill command can be executed.
21. The most difficult part in practicing drill is to synchronise the command and the steps or body movement. As a parade commander, you must be very careful in giving the command, especially for the moving troop. The ending of the command must be sharp and stop at the right step of the troop (mean, at the time when the drill boot touch the ground. It can be on the right foot or left. Depend, either you are giving command for slow march and fast march. If you give command on the wrong step, the whole parade will be hay-wired.
22. Preparing for drill was another agony. In the first, we were issued with basic military dress, including drill boots. The surface of drill boots was rough and hard. You have to make it shining. The most difficult part was at the early stage to make the rough surface become smooth. Many initiatives were shown (mostly we learnt from the ex-RMC boys). But, the most popular tools were either using heater coil or you burn the spoon, then you 'tenyeh' at the boot surface. It would take hours to make it smooth. After smoothen the surface, then finally you can shine it by using 'KIWI', brush and kiwi clothes (all were issued). The standard of shining for our boots was 'boleh tengok gigi" in the mirror. So, every evening, before going to bathroom, we would scattering around the block (barrack) to shine our drill boots.
aktiviti tetap seorang Pegawai Kedet- sama ada masa sempit atau masa lapang
23. When issuing the command, vocal inflection is varied so that the preparatory command is given less emphasis, and the most emphasis is placed on the command of execution. There is usually a slight hesitation between each element of the command, about the duration of a finger snap. Other examples of the two-part command structure are:
Bagi angggota LLP, setiap hari kerja mereka akan melaksanakan roll-call (perbarisan melapor kekuatan) setiap pagi sebelum amsuk pejabat. Bagi anggota bujang yang tinggal di blok bujang, mereka akan menjalani roll-call setiap malam pada waktu-waktu yang ditetapkan. Bagi anggota yang bertugas sebagai Pengawal juga akan melaksanakan kawad sebelum memulakan tugas dan upacara menurunkan bendera (last post).
24. RSM Kawad untuk TJP37 ialah PW1 Mohd Kamal. Seragam jurulatih kawad (DI) memang paling smart dan segak di kalangan staf SPK. Seluar dan bajunya fit dengan body mereka. Tanda atau identiti seorang jurulatih kawad ialah mereka memakai selempang merah. Pangkat mereka tidak rendah dari Sarjan. Majoritinya setiap platun kawad akan diketuai oleh seorang SSjn dan dibantu oleh seorang SSjn. Karektur seorang jurulatih kawad ialah tegas, suara lantang, kalau melaung boleh di dengar dengan jelas sampai ke seberang padang kawad. Jalan pun segak macam robot. Belum kira kalau membaling tongkatnya lagi.....
25. Satu-satunya jurulatih kawad yang aku ingat namanya (sebab dia jurulatih platun aku) ialah SSjn Mohd Ali. Cerita tentang SSjn ALi ini, walaupun tegas dan garang, tapi wajah beliau sentiasa manis dan senyum. Oleh itu beliau menjadi favourite kebanyakan pegawai kedet.
26. Satu hari, beliau mengajar kawad, ketika membuat satu demo mengangkat kaki paras..prapppppppp..... koyak jahitan cawat seluar kawadnya, punya panjang. Apalagi dengan menyimpan senyumnya beliau pun membuat hukuman rehatkan diri dan melangkah keluar padang dengan 'jalan' yang berbeza dari biasa...kepit sikit..... Penolong jurulatih mengambil tempat meneruskan latihan.
- "Bariiiiiiisss.....SEDIA" ... to make it sharp normally the parade commander pronounced it as "Barissss.....SEDIAP".
- "Senanggggg....DIRI" become "Senannnnnnnng DIRIP" or "DRIP".
- "Rusukkkkkkkk....SENJATA" become, "Rusuuuuuuuk... SENJATAP"... even 'JATAP' only
- "Ke Kanannnnnn.................. PUSING", or "ke kanannnnnnn ceng!"
Bagi angggota LLP, setiap hari kerja mereka akan melaksanakan roll-call (perbarisan melapor kekuatan) setiap pagi sebelum amsuk pejabat. Bagi anggota bujang yang tinggal di blok bujang, mereka akan menjalani roll-call setiap malam pada waktu-waktu yang ditetapkan. Bagi anggota yang bertugas sebagai Pengawal juga akan melaksanakan kawad sebelum memulakan tugas dan upacara menurunkan bendera (last post).
24. RSM Kawad untuk TJP37 ialah PW1 Mohd Kamal. Seragam jurulatih kawad (DI) memang paling smart dan segak di kalangan staf SPK. Seluar dan bajunya fit dengan body mereka. Tanda atau identiti seorang jurulatih kawad ialah mereka memakai selempang merah. Pangkat mereka tidak rendah dari Sarjan. Majoritinya setiap platun kawad akan diketuai oleh seorang SSjn dan dibantu oleh seorang SSjn. Karektur seorang jurulatih kawad ialah tegas, suara lantang, kalau melaung boleh di dengar dengan jelas sampai ke seberang padang kawad. Jalan pun segak macam robot. Belum kira kalau membaling tongkatnya lagi.....
25. Satu-satunya jurulatih kawad yang aku ingat namanya (sebab dia jurulatih platun aku) ialah SSjn Mohd Ali. Cerita tentang SSjn ALi ini, walaupun tegas dan garang, tapi wajah beliau sentiasa manis dan senyum. Oleh itu beliau menjadi favourite kebanyakan pegawai kedet.
26. Satu hari, beliau mengajar kawad, ketika membuat satu demo mengangkat kaki paras..prapppppppp..... koyak jahitan cawat seluar kawadnya, punya panjang. Apalagi dengan menyimpan senyumnya beliau pun membuat hukuman rehatkan diri dan melangkah keluar padang dengan 'jalan' yang berbeza dari biasa...kepit sikit..... Penolong jurulatih mengambil tempat meneruskan latihan.
Weapon Handling and Shooting (Firing)
27. Shooting or firing was interesting but learning about the weapon was sleepring! In SPK (OCS) you have to learn variosu type of weapon, among them were Colt M-16, SLR, GPMG, pistol (browning), Carl Gustav, grenade and Mortar. We learned the detail parts of the weapon, how to dismantle/disassemble and how to reassemble them. The formula was "first out first in". So, you must arrange the parts in order (on the poncho) accordingly. So, later will be easy for you to pick based on 'first out'.
Self Loading Rifle ((SLR)
Colt M-16A1 5.56mm
GPMG 7.62mm
Pistol Browning 9mm
Carl Gustav Recoilles Gun 84mm
28. Weapon class was boredom. Not in the classroom but 'squad hut' (pondok). Normally the wood bench was short and could not accommodate the whole group (squad). The rest have to standing around the instructor (a Sergeant). Those who sat on the bench would be the first who fell into sleep (because they were so comfortable. And, the worst part was, those who were 'standing' were also caught for sleeping. End up the whole squad were punished. Normally 20 press up or run around the 'squad hut' or 'slapping' each other.
29. The shooting (practical) was interesting. First not because we all like shooting but that day will be no PT, no drills and no classroom. The whole jin-beng had to go to riffle range. From early morning to late evening. Rations were also carried to the range. Another interesting part was, while waiting for the details (we have two jobs; in the 'firing detail' and 'target party'). Other than that groups will be sleeping under the tree.
with Seginting Rifle Range as a background
with Cadet Sgt Sanusi Samion (now Brig Jen TUDM)
break time near to the shooting range
ONE of the syndicate for the training (green appaulette was Kasturi Bn)
Another 'pose' of Kasturian (courtes: skot Bokhari)
kartun dari skot Affendi
ONE of the syndicate for the training (green appaulette was Kasturi Bn)
Another 'pose' of Kasturian (courtes: skot Bokhari)
kartun dari skot Affendi
Signal and radio Communication
30. Communication is one of the most important things in the military. Without effective communication, tactically and technically the troop will be swept away by the enemy OR lost in action OR more worst fighting each other with the friendly troop. This subject was very crucial to the army but in cadet training the achievement was equally assessed. Later in my flying training (in Kluang) I appreciated this basic signal training.
31. For the training, we used the radio TRA/AN-PRC 77 (manpack)......and other brand (I could not remember). The torturing part was, during the jungle exercise, we have to carry the manpack radio up and down hills.
.
PRC77 Radio Comm
32. In SIGNAL, we learnt about callsign, slidex, jargon, nickname etc etc- i really forgotten. For the second time in my life, I learned about A, B, C but this time in different way. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel....... for example: the word 'Transport' we abbreviated to 'tpt'- but in signal communication we mentioned 'Tango Papa Tango'.
Signal field training- picture from Skot Muhammad Shuairi fb album
Cartoon: by Skot Affendi Yahya
Tactic @ Muslihat
33. Tactic is a term that could not be separated or detached from military world. Tactic is a techniques of using weapons and military units (men) in combinantion for engaging and defeating an enemy in the battle. Military tactics are both arts and science. The main concept is to maintain a positional army (troops) and therefore easily control the troops in any position and situation. As one of the most important subject in cadet training, so we have to learn tactics theoritically and practically. We also learned both insurgency and conventional warfare. Among the military tactics that we learned in SPK were:
- appreciation
- reconnaissance
- troops movement (recce, advance, side flank, attack, defence and withdrawal)
- creating and using obstacles and defence
- battle drills
- ambush
Escape and Evasion
34. This was another challenging program was escape and evasion. It was a kind of 'survivaI course'. I will write more about this later.
.
34. This was another challenging program was escape and evasion. It was a kind of 'survivaI course'. I will write more about this later.
.
Exercise WIRA JAYA
35. Ex WIRA JAYA was the final combined exercise which covered counter insurgency (CIW) or jungle warfare and conventional (open) warfare (CW). The whole intake of OCs involved in this exercise which took about a week (or more). In this exercise we applied all the knowledge and theories of warfare we learnt in the classroom and practical for the past eight months. The exercise involve the following phases, namely; recce party, advance party, attack, defence and withdrawal. In insurgency, we learnt about platoon attack, ambush etc.
36. I could not recall all the movement of the troop but we have to walk day and night, climbing up hills, crossing jungles, rubber plantations, rivers and swamps, and carrying full haversacks (of pack ration), weapon (M16), GPMG and Carl Gustav (by turn). The area of operations was in Jelebu District. Among the village we passed by was Ulu Lenggeng, Mantin and end up at Bukit Broga for defence phase.
37. The most challenging part of the exercise was climbing the Bukit Broga (near to Semenyih town- but at that time we did not know that Semenyih is less than 10k distance from Bukit Broga). The challenge was not the height of the hill but the burden to be carry the defence stores such as bulb wire, iron picket. gunny, shovel, zink sheet, cangkul etc. Weapon was always the priority and must be always with the body.
38. On the top of the hill we have to set up our defence by digging 3-4 feet trenches and also connecting trenches. It was really challenging works. Worse enough most of the digging will knock the stone. In the midst of digging also we were disturbed by the 'enemy mock-up attacks'. So, we have to take cover and stop works. Another challenge was 'attack by Capt Rahmat'. Those who caught for not doing their duties will punished there an then. Forward and side roll on the lallang. If you were not lucky, your head will be beaten (balun) by him- using a arm size of stick.
39. The final stage of the exercise was withdrawal. We have to march again went through the jungle of Batu Tangga, Kuala Kelawang, Ulu Sepri and Titi. Later, after commissioned when I read a book titled 'Askar Melayu 50 tahun' written by Abdul Samad Idris, that all those area was a black area during Emergency Period.
40. Herewith, copied some of the photomemories during the EX WIRA JAYA.
down line memories
Kem Segenting: SPK 1980
Kem Segenting sebelum lenyap dari muka bumi
Kem Segenting sekarang dengan kampus Kolej Tentera Darat yang baru
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