We had been to a few Families For Life picnic (FFL) before (Istana and Punggol), but this edition is different. We are celebrating NS50 too π
Organised last weekend at Singapore Discovery Centre and Army Museum, there was plenty of activities to keep families busy. The Safti-MI bus tour must be one of the highlights π
Kids did not like the combat rations. Funny, I used to love the desserts (especially red bean and or2 bee2 bur2) when I was still in green :p
Families who registered for “Families For Life Picnic” will get a picnic goodie bag. Just lay out the mat, enjoy the cookies and fruits, and watch a movie in the evening #IchooseFamilyTime
I brought the kids into one of the corners to QR code Singapore’s history.
The highlight for many would be touring Safti MI (old name is SAF Training Institute, wiki). It is a different feeling when you are sightseeing, and when you are running up Peng Kang hill in fatigues.
Our narrator shared the history of Safti. The old colonial-like buildings, parade square. Not many will see real “cooks” in today’s army camps.
The iconic Safti Tower, with 265 steps to symbolise number of days before an officer cadet pass his course.
The triangle tower is symbolic for training all three services of SAF (Army, Air Force and Navy).Β s
The sergeant standing outside SCS (ex SISPEC). He or she has to lead the men from the front.
Skyhawk, another relic. Kids grew up with F16 and F15.
Pedal boat was popular with families, but long queue.
We noticed many mini-SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) in recent events, but this one at Army Museum is the original.
Kids like mini SOC now, not sure whether they will like the real-size low wall and Jacob ladders (applies to the Cheekiemonkies too hee hee) .
That ended our trip to SDC and Army Museum. I told the kids they can alway visit SAFTI MI again, just join OCS or Sispec.
Do pop by links below for more FFL and NS50 events.
If you have pop by Army Museum of Singapore (ARMS) last Saturday, you might have thought a new childcare centre has started business. A group of parents (with very curious and active kids) were invited to understand more about SAF’s three services and discover “What is worth defending in Singapore“.
ιδΈθ² SengkangBabies’ soldiers Fall in, Daddy went in his No4 attire to blend in.
Colonel Seet giving a prep talk to young “recruits”, we suspect it is easier for him to motivate OCS Cadets π
( Image credit Mindef )
Behind him, the “Core values” wall is from a melted AMX 13 tank. This atrium will be the kids’ playground for the morning.
Although we are at the Army Museum, there is no lack of hands-on activities for the kids.
Air Force “Rise above All”
RSAF recruitment exercise starts young, kids are clearly impressed ! Major Kenny’s visor and suit is too cool !
Boon Xin cannot decide between paper F15 or F16 Girl? Both fighter jets are cool. Take a stroll on our RSAF airfield to catch Singapore’s air assets.
Everyone loves paper aeroplanes right, especially so when our pilot told us he had flew his F15 over NDP before, the kids go “WoW” !
( Image credit Mindef )
Army shows us more hardware !
.. and food. Daddy actually miss his combat ration’s dog biscuit.
Participants got to feel the weight of a Full Pack (Full Battle Order can be up to 30kg of barang barang). Kids are eagerly digging out the contents, socks, snake-powder and underwear (giggles).
Daddy did not tell them whole platoons used to get knock-it-down treatment with FBO (Full Battle Order) !
At every station, kids don the uniforms and caps ! Just too Cute !
It would be nice if we can pose with SAR21 or GPMG too.
In Army lingo, Old Bird (θε ΅) helping junior. It is embarrassing, but Daddy forgot how to fold his Smart No4, and struggle with his boot gutter!
In fact, the kids were already “On the Ball” (psyched up) the night before, when they saw Daddy’s soldier boots. Their eyes brighten when Daddy told them the boots have left their footprints in Queensland, Thailand, and Brunei.
Meanwhile, we noticed a Commando slipping away stealthily.
Navy, we learn about our vessels, both surface and underwater.
We even build an Archer submarine!
Next time, we will say Port and Starboard (Left and Right respectively) when Daddy is driving. Kids even got to hunt down a terrorist ! Everyone understand their roles and responsibility, no one is trying to keng (malingering).
At the end of our orientation, we ask the kids “What will you defend?”
– Do we have a stake in Singapore?
– Who is protecting us while we sleep?
– How has our family benefited from Singapore’s stability?
– Is our lifestyle worth protecting?
We hope the kids have a better appreciation of what we have today, and not take our way-of-life for granted.
Our organisers even brought out some sweet treats for us. Who can resist the adorable Army cupcakes? Any Submarine?
Do you know about the outdoor Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) at Army Museum?
Ideal for parents who wish to Tekan see their kids struggle with the low wall :p
Daddy forgot to remind kids that they are supposed to look tired on the SOC, not smiling! SOC is something siong (tough) like this clip.
In the aircon comfort, we practice our marksmanship with Nerf guns. Whoever (including adults) ventures into the hot zone become a Figure-10 target board !
Kiddy Rides should be the highlight for most of the kids. But Daddy is not sure the Light Strike vehicles are supposed to be driven like BumpeR cars !
Ooops, someone drop a side mirror.
Thank you to the organisers for bringing all three SAF services under one roof.
Kids got to be a pilot, wear army pixelated fatigues, and even hunt pirates !
Daddy hopes that they understand that Singapore’s Freedom and Sovereignty
is not a granted, and needs to be protected.
Video : They got to fold little Leopard, Submarines and Fighter jets too.
If we have more time, Daddy would have brought the kids to visit the soldiers’ bunks (with bed and cabinet). Maybe we can show them Stand-By Bed?
They will definitely be impressed with ARMS’ special 4D movie, simulating an activation of Singapore Armed Forces to face off with a potential adversary. You can feel the Super Pumas’ downdraft. (galleries here)
For more Army activities, do drop by Army Museum and participate in “Army Lingo“.
(Image credit Army Museum)
Some of the following parenting bloggers have already indicated “What they will Defend” in their blogpost. Nice to catch up with you folks π
** Do take note the three services’ activities are not a “standard” feature at Army Museum. This is a first attempt by Mindef to try and reach out to families, and help kids understand more “about SAF and how it protects Singapore”. If response is good, we hope it will become a regular feature.
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