The Specialist Cadet School, formerly the School of Infantry Specialists, is the militarytraining centre for specialists in the Singapore Army. The school is situated in Pasir Laba Camp in the western part of Singapore. From 1999/2000 to 2006, it was located at Rocky Hill Camp on Pulau Tekong while its new premise was undergoing construction. The school currently has a total of twelve staffed companies, which are divided into three schools. These companies are named Alpha to Mike. The Advanced Specialists Training Wing has become the Specialist and Warrant Officer Advanced School ; hence it no longer falls under the umbrella of SCS. In 2010, SISPEC was renamed to Specialist Cadet School to reflect the wider scope of the school, as it no longer provides Specialist training only for Infantry units.
History
The Specialist Cadet School was established with the primary objective of training specialists to fill various junior command and control positions in the armed forces. The school is specially equipped with necessary facilities and qualified instructors for the moulding of army specialists. The Specialist Cadet School complements Officer Cadet School in the cultivation of soldiers who display good leadership potential and the capabilities to become key appointment holders in the ranks of the military. On 22 December 2008, the Singapore Armed Forces introduced a new rank called Specialist Cadet to further enhance its efforts as a 3rd Generation Armed Forces. The new rank aims to instill a sense of pride among SCS trainees. 1966: SISPEC training began when the then called Non Commissioned Officers were selected to be the first batch of instructors in School of Section Leaders. 1969: School of Infantry Section Leaders was formed with the expansion of the SAF. SISL trained batches of trainees through 21-week courses. 1979: After the restructuring of the military training system, potential trainees were selected go to Officer Cadet School. 1980: HQ Infantry formed, taking command over SISL. 1980: Section Leaders course shortened to 12 weeks. 1981: On 22 June, there were six companies in SISL; Juliet, Quebec, Lima, Mike, Kilo and Papa Company were renamed Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo and ASTW respectively. 1982: On 1 May, SISL was renamed SAF Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer's School with the new motto, "With Pride We Lead". 1989: First batch of women combat trainees enlisted. 1992: SAFINCOS renamed School of Infantry Specialists. 2000: SISPEC relocates from Pasir Laba Camp to Pulau Tekong. 2000:17 August, Rocky Hill Camp, Pulau Tekong, SISPEC officially opened by Chief of Army, MG Ng Yat Chung. 2001:26 September, Army Specialists' Landmark officially unveiled by Chief of Army, MG Ng Yat Chung. 2003: SISPEC achieved ISO 9002 for the management for its Advanced and Basic Section Leader Courses. 2006: SISPEC was relocated from Pulau Tekong back to their new camp compound in Pasir Laba Camp. 2010: SISPEC renamed to Specialist Cadet School, divided into three schools.
Training
Cadets who enrol at SCS first have to go through the Foundation Term where they are taught basic infantry skills to command an infantry section. Upon graduation from Foundation Term, the soldiers will be sent to the various formations in the Army for specialized training in their respective fields. SCS’s Foundation Term is a challenging course that grooms fresh graduates from the Basic Military Training Centre into future leaders of the SAF. The course trains and equips soldiers with infantry skills and knowledge to command an Infantry section. The trainees are required to go through the Confidence Obstacle Course and/or the Additional Obstacle Course, which demand both physical and mental toughness. The Foundation Term ends with a 28-km graduation route march in full battle order. Those who are selected to serve in the Infantry and Guards formations will remain in SCS, where they will undergo the Infantry/Guards Professional Term. The Specialist and Warrant Officer Advanced School conducts the Platoon Sergeant Course and the Company Sergeant Major Course, which were both under the umbrella of SISPEC before the re-organisation. At the end of the Professional Term in the various formations, the cadets will return to SCS for an 8-day Combined Arms Term, culminating in a combined arms Graduation Parade held in Pasir Laba Camp.
