National Cadet Corp, a steering force for leadership

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach, an Austrian novelist once said that in youth we learn; in age we understand. It is at old-age that people understand what was taught during childhood.

It is essential to mould youth with proper skill, knowledge and good values for a righteous society.

The National Cadet Corp (NCC) guides youth to be leaders in the country. The objective of forming cadet corps, was to prepare youth for military services. Today the (NCC) National Cadet Corps training around 50,000 cadets each year which includes Army Wing Cadets, Naval Wing Cadets, Air Force Wing Cadets, Police Wing Cadets and Western and Eastern Band Cadets formed by both boys and girls.

Today its vision is ‘grooming tomorrow’s leaders as well disciplined, motivated youth with inculcated virtues from school going generation for the service of the nation.’

“While grooming and shaping the younger generation, in the past we have been supporting officers and other ranks of the Armed Forces and the Police by organising intensive English, Tamil and Sinhala language, computer and counselling courses catering to their need.

In addition to this recently we engaged in training nearly 3,000 university entrants in leadership qualities and positive thinking said, NCC, Director Major General G.B.W. Jayasundara.

The NCC plays a vital role in preparing youth to be responsible citizens, said Maj. Gen. Jayasundara. “Its curriculum provides an opportunity for youth to channel their energies in a creative manner, inculcating the much needed qualities of discipline and commitment,” he added. Cadetting is an important extra-curricular activity. The NCC functions in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Provincial Departments of Education.

A large number of cadets gather at the NCC Training Centre at Rantambe for their Assessment Camps. The NCC plans courses well ahead to meet the administrative, training and logistic needs of trainees. The number of participants for Assessment Camps has increased.

The number of cadets at camps has increased from 8,736 in 2005 to 15,960 in 2011. The number of girls has increased from 1,250 in 2005 to 2,650 in 2011. Under the instructions of the Defence Ministry under which the NCC function, six new battalions and seven provincial headquarters have been set up since 2005. Band Cadets adds a new dimension to the youth. Band Cadets have to follow the entire syllabus. In 2005 it was only 1,500 cadet of 60 Eastern and Western Bands participated at the annual Assessment Camps.

The number of participants increased this year. The Assessment Camps of the Naval, Air and Police wings were new additions to the Corps. Naval and Air Force wings completed their assessments at their training academies. Today there are 1950 Naval Cadets and 1900 Air cadets trained under the NCC.

The training is hard for schoolchildren between 14–20 years of age.

They need to go through drill, physical efficiency test, map reading, field craft, point 22 firing, leadership training, first aid, learning the law of the country, lessons on dangerous drugs, human rights, current affairs in addition to learning regimental duties and NCC knowledge.

Intensive English language courses of 45 days are conducted twice a year - one for the cadets who finish G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations and another for those who complete G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations.

A 45-day Tamil language course was conducted twice a year for cadets.

A special computer course was introduced in 2008 by the NCC which was a 45-day course. Keeping the traditions of cadet culture a bugler and drum Majors course continues in the NCC.

As a part of NCC's mission to develop resourceful, responsible, resilient, loyal leaders and team players, the National Cadet Corps offer a wide range of adventure and experimental programs such as the Cadets Advance Course.

The spirit of adventure and passion to venture in to the unknown are promoted through the Program.

The Advance Course is designed for Senior Cadets to develop leadership. Another specific wing of the NCC would be the Cadet Junior Leadership Course, which is a seven-day leadership and positive attitude program.

This is designed to suit the adventurous nature of a youth. The program caters to the demand of the Corporals and Lance Corporals of the platoon.

With a view to increase international understanding and heighten awareness the NCC held Youth Exchange Programs with the NCCs of two SAARC countries in 2005.

With the guidance of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa the exchange programs were initiated in Bangladesh, India the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.

In addition the NCC initiated new programs to upgrade the level of the Sri Lankan Cadets since 2005 with the fullest support and guidance of the Ministry of Defence. 'Kumara Pawura' - the School Security program was launched in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Education Ministry in 2006.

This was launched supporting the security to schools that was posed those days from terrorists. Taking in to consideration of the value of educating the children on security aspects and basic skills of cadetting the Education Ministry introduced a new subject to school curriculum of junior secondary level as 'Defence Competencies'.

The new subject was introduced through the NCC. 'Kumara Saviya' - a personality development course and 'Viru Sawiya' a guiding and counselling course were launched by the NCC.

Since training remains top priority of the Corps, Administration and Logistic back up has been standardised since 2005.

The versatile training offered to Cadets and military personnel was progressively strengthened. On the instructions of the Ministry of Defence and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education 605 English teachers were enlisted in 2008 as Probationary Officers in the Intake No.27 and this recruitment seems to be a remarkable achievement of the Corps.