Speech By: Mr William Lim, Course Commander Officer Training Course 2009
Professor Lau Cheng Hock, Advisor To National St. John Council

Mr. Bobby Lim, Chairman National St. John Council

Dr. Chen Sze Hua, Chief Commissioner St. John Ambulance Brigade Singapore

Senior officers , fellow officers and my dear officer cadet

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

1. It is indeed an adventure for me these 3 months as the course commander of Officer Training Course 2009. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Mr. Chua Sock Kiang, Commissoner Training, for placing his trust on me to conduct the premier course of the brigade- The Officer Training Course 2009.
   
   Introduction
2. The course is set out to fulfill the mission to educate and train potential brigade NCOs into commissioned officers with an outcome that each of them are leaders who can produce professional work and be committed to the brigade. Living by the Values the acronym for HONOUR. Humility, to lead is to serve, Ownership, Accomplishing all task with the best of our ability with pride, Network, building strong relationship with superiors and peers, Overcome,  To overcome adversities with courage and zeal, Unity, United as a brigade and Respect, all our words and our actions;. This outlined the basic principal of the course.
3. Its my honour to report  that today 93 young man and women completed the rigorous 3 months training. The officer Training Course has basically not only increased their knowledge on the brigade but also strengthening their mind and soul.
    
4. There are 2 phases of training in this year course. Phase 1, Camping phase, focusing on building character and self awareness through interactive activities. Phase 2, Theory Phase, focusing on brigade knowledge and sharing of good practices. This allows the trainees to be mentally strong to take on the responsibility as brigade officers to lead the future of St. John Ambulance Brigade Singapore.
5. This year we have made many several breakthroughs and many first in history. This year is the first year we reduced the no. of course days for our trainees, the first year that we had a commissioning parade in a military camp, the first year we organized strategic planning presentation to zone commissioners and Senior NHQ officers, the first year that we organized dialogues that allow the trainees to understand more about the running of the brigade. Officer Cadets and instructor of officer training course 2009 we have made history and you are part of it.

   The Recollection …

6. As a junior officer myself who have walked that path that you are going to take, remember the path ahead is definitely not as smooth sailing as what we thought it would. Challenges arise every day. Juggling of school work, career, family, friends and St. John is definitely not an easy task. But remember, lead your life well and know your priorities! Know what or who you love. Love what you are doing and you will definitely do a good job because when there is love nothing is too much trouble and there is always time to take action.
7. Do you remember the run that we had on the first day of the camp, that you were made to run 2 rounds of 2.4, that you realized that unlearning is the toughest part of your learning process that you need to go through?  Do You remember the run on the second day, that we ran to pasir ris park to do our reflection and realised your own purpose in coming to this course? Do you remember the OTC ultimate Challenge, that we completed as a course, that we conquered the challenges together, and nothing is impossible? Do you remember? Do you remember the setting of your priorities that you start tearing off the important things in your life, the things that you thought it was important but it actually waasn’t? Do you remember the 3^rd day run that you ran as a group and finishing it together, that you realised that its not about the timing but about completing it together as one team? Do you remember these memories? Do you remember the 1 hour of silence that you realised the love you have for the special someone that you wrote to, the things that matters to you. Do you remember the camp fire  that we had, that we enjoyed ourselves with all the dance and performance, a true display of fun in training. Do you remember the march that we had from East Coast back to Green View Secondary school, the march that signifies your growing up from NCO to Officer Cadet. Do you still remember? Do you still remember the countless meet ups and discussion for our project 2014 ? Do you still remember all these memories?
8. For I will remember because these defining moments in my life, that each of everyone of you have made an impact to me and my instructors. I will remember the laughter we shared and tears and sweat we shed together. I will remember the secrets that we knew about each other that perhaps your closet friend might not know. I will remember we supported one another pushing on to achieve the best that we can be. I will remember the “Nobody Nobdody But You” and the crazy dances that we did that night. I will remember the effort by each of everyone in the project 2014 presentation. I will always remember 17/09 Officer Training Course. This is definitely a defining moment for me and I hope it is for you as well.�

   What’s Your Standard ?

9. What’s your standard! My favourite phrase in this year course. So What’s Your Standard? Just merely a pass or excelling? What’s your standard? A Corps Achievement Bronze or Achieving the Gold. What’s your standard? Hallmark excellence in our core subjects or jack of all trade master of non? What’s your standard?  I have set mine for you in the course and it’s time to set yours.  So What’s your standard ? Challenge yourself and tickle your mind each day in your life and ask yourself what’s your standard? You definitely will improve!
10. As I have mention many a times in the camp and in the course, there is no such thing as you are from zone 1 or zone 4 or zone 8 or zone 9, There is no such segregation that you are in corps or  zone, there no segregation between you and me as senior or junior officer, there is no such segregation, caused we belong to one unique identity together,  – the officer corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Singapore, the leaders, the elite, simply being the best who is always striving to achieve the best for our cadets, the best for our corps, the best for what we stand for, doing the best for the place that we together grew up in. This is what we are and this is what we will be.

    Believing in yourself

11. I believe in you that you can make a difference to the many cadets under your charge, I believe in you to lead by example, I believe in you to walk us out together from the valley of darkness bringing beacon of light to the brigade. I believe in you. I believe in you that we can move the brigade as one together. I believe in you in making positive changes and improve the lives of many. I believe in you. Do you believe in yourself?
12.  This year course is not only about St. John but it’s about living your life well, knowing your inner self and breaking your limits. Remember when you live your life well; the rest of the things will fall in place nicely.  Remember the role that you are playing, be it a son or a daughter, an officer or a student, just continue to do your very best and I am very sure all of you will definitely made it in life one way or another!
13. I will take this opportunity  to thank the Zone commissioner for their support for the course and all the instructors for contributing their time and effort in making this course a success. Thank You to all my officer Cadet Trainees, you have been a wonderful company in our journey together. I will never the wonderful memories we spend together, I will definitely etch these memories in my heart for a very long time.�

    Story of LOVE

14. But before I end my address I would like to share with you 1 stories, just 1 story. This story is about a dad and his daughter playing at the nearby playground. While at the park, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
15. “He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.”
16. Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?”  Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.” The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?” Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.” The man smiled and said, “OK.”
17. “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play.”
18. Life is all about making priorities and what are your priorities? Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today. Treasure every moment of your life and never regret. You never know the future, so just do it.
19. This evening you will be standing proudly in front of your love ones who have sacrifice countless of 5 minutes for you, the people who are willing to do anything for you just for love, the people you have been part of your life. Today Share this moment with them and tell them  how you feel, give them biggest hug and tell them that you love them while they help you mount the deserving rank on your shoulder.  Share the joy and be thankful

    CONCLUSION

20. I will like to end the speech with a quote by President of the united States of America, Mr. Barack Obama. “Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. it’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.”
21. Last but not least, Remember our course motto:  Lead with Honour
22. Thank You.

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