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| Sunday, 27 April 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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NCC celebrates 16th Corps Day The National Cadet Crops will celebrate its 16th Corps Day, (after it was designated as National Cadet Corps) on April 29. The significance of this year's function is that the 14 cadet battalions spread across the country have organized ceremonies in the main towns where battalions are located, thereby providing public awareness to school cadet activities. The NCC was set up with the aim of making the school going generation aware of discipline, improved standards of behaviour, and the image of youth. Over the years, it has successfully been contributing to produce a resource of well trained and motivated youth, capable of providing leadership in all walks of life. The National Cadet Corps has a history that goes back to 1881 when John B Cull, Principal of Royal College formed a volunteer corps with the intention of promoting discipline by doing drill. His effort became fruitful when expansion occurred with the introduction of a cadet battalion in 1902 recruited from schools and attached to the CLI (Ceylon Light Infantry). Companies were formed at Royal, St. Thomas', Wesley, Kingswood, Trinity and Richmond College. These were commanded by honorary officers from among teachers and senior students. Induction into the NCC is voluntary. schoolchildren, both boys and girls, can join at the age of 14 and resign off at 20 years. A cadet can stay in the rank of "Cadet" for two consecutive years. Then he/she is eligible for a higher rank, Lance Corporal, Corporal or Sergeant. A platoon consists of a Sgt., 3 Cpl, 3 L/Cpl and 27 cadets. According to the organisation of the NCC, the Corps is organized in Platoon, Companies, Battalion and is controlled by Corps Headquarters of which the head is Director NCC. While battalion is the highest formation in the organization, the platoon is the smallest sub-unit. A platoon undergoes training throughout the year before attending Annual Assessment Camp. Cadet curriculum is pledged with both military subjects; Foot Drill, Weapon Drill, Weapon Training, Physical Training, Map Reading, First Aid, Regimental Duties, Leadership, and Field Craft and civic oriented subjects; Flora and Fauna, Fire Fighting, Excise Ordinance, Basic Police Duties, Highway Code and Ethics. Training at school level is organized by the Platoon Commander, a school teacher and NCC officer who performs a voluntary service in addition to classroom work. He is also assisted by PSIs (Permanent Staff Instructors) Non-Commissioned Officers who are attached to the NCC from the SL Army. They basically teach drill and physical training. The objectives of drill are to teach cadets to obey instruction instinctively and also improve the physical bearing of an individual and develop teamwork in precision movements. One primary responsibility of an officer of the NCC is to ensure participation of his/her platoon in the Annual Assessment Camp. Each battalion selects the best 25 platoons and take them to the Training Centre, where Assessment tests conducted, training done at school level is revived and an additional training given under the supervision of respective Battalion Commander. Additional training covers basic training in military related subjects. The aim of this training is to expose youth to a regimental way of life and to inculcate in them the values of discipline, dutifulness, personality, orderliness smartness and develop leadership qualities and teamwork. Firing, Obstacle Course, Compass March Night movement, form some part of this military related training. Young cadets enjoy the exposure to outdoor and community living while on this type of activities. Cadets are also encouraged to participate in other recreational activities and cultural programmes. |
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