Pausing for a moment at the edge of the metre-high wall, Ms Jesline Yu is plucking up the courage to make the jump. With a small hop, she lands on all fours in the sandpit. She breaks into a smile and is glad she did it.
The young women, clad in shirts with the word "ARMY", have descended on Maju Camp. They're mostly 18- to 20-year-olds awaiting their A-level results and are here for a taste of military life.
Aside from learning basic soldiering skills and getting hands-on experience with state-of-the-art weaponry, many of them also left with new friendships, as one typically would in the army.
Huddled together at the table after breakfast, the women write notes of appreciation, decorating the pieces of paper with hearts and smiley faces.
One message reads: “Thank you for taking care of us during the camp! It was so fun! All the best in what you do!”
You would be forgiven for thinking this was a school sleepover instead of a weekend of training at an SAF camp in Clementi.
On this particular weekend, Maju Camp was hosting Women’s Boot Camp (WBC) 2023.
This session, intended for young women, was the third time the camp was held.
Previous boot camps were organised in 2018 and 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic put an end to such activities.
The camps aim to give women a taste of national service, so they can better relate to the experience of their male peers, and demonstrate stronger support and involvement in the country’s defence.
Over the two days, the 31 participants went through a series of modified activities that are an iconic part of army life, such as going on a route march, using an SAR 21 assault rifle and learning casualty evacuation techniques.
Ms Loraine Lee, 24, handling a Matador anti-tank weapon used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The weapon, which has an effective range of 500m and uses a 90mm calibre munition, weighs 8.9kg and is 1m long.
They even got to try the food. Camp participants clinking their spoons before eating their combat rations at the cookhouse.
Junior College schoolmates Ashlyn Mohan, 18, and Nur Khaliesah, 20, sharing vegetarian combat rations of mushroom rice and tomato pasta, after heating them up in a mess tin during dinner on the first night of the boot camp.
"We're both from the Odac (outdoor adventure club) CCA, and our teacher encouraged us to sign up because we're into adventure," said Ms Mohan.
Camp participants march with their assault packs towards the Standard Obstacle Course.
The camp is an initiative by the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (Accord) and supported by the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps.
Accord was established by the Ministry of Defence in 1984 as a channel for the community to provide feedback on issues concerning Singapore’s defence.
Camp participants learning to do first aid dressing, including applying a tourniquet, during a combat buddy aid session.
This is billed as an experiential camp, rather than one meant to recruit women into the SAF’s ranks. Many participants, such as 18-year-old Paulyne Santos Anthony (below), who is awaiting her A-level results, signed up out of curiosity.
Ms Anthony wanted to understand what basic military training is like for her friends who have enlisted.
“I wanted to experience army life, to try out the obstacle course and of course what the food from the cookhouse is like,” she said.
Ms Chan Pei Qing (left) and Ms Zhao Yi Lin, both 18, collect their lunch of fried chicken, a burger, sweet corn, potatoes and minestrone soup at the cookhouse during lunch on the first day of the camp.
"I signed up for this women's boot camp alone, but now we even have a group chat for us to keep in touch after the camp," said Ms Chan.
Ms Yu, a self-professed bookworm (below, left), said: “NS is a life-changing experience for most guys, and most girls don’t go through it.”
The 18-year-old, who enjoys arts and crafts, said she wanted to get herself out of her comfort zone.
“Going through the standard obstacle course was scary, and I’m proud that I gave it a shot,” she said.
Ms Kow Zi Ting, 18, a student from Dunman High School awaiting A-level results, freshens up in the bathroom on the morning of the second day of the boot camp on Feb 12, 2023.
Ms Sng Sharmin (centre, in black and pink trainers), 19, takes part in a 2km route march.
The second-year polytechnic student who studies aviation management was anxious about signing up for the camp alone after seeing others turn up in pairs and groups on the first day, but she was able to quickly warm up to fellow campmates through the various activities.
"During the route march, we sang songs together, which helps to bring up the mood. It made the walk much easier."
Participants, including Ms Kow (front row, second from left) and Ms Jasmine Chiam (front row, third from right), 18, are briefed on night vision goggles used by the SAF, while Ms Yu, holds up a pair of the goggles.
Participants looking out of a tent for a micro UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) during a capability demonstration. Their reflection is seen against a screen showing the view from the micro UAV.
For Ms Rachel Anne Lee (below), 18, the experience strengthened her resolve to serve her country.
“The greatest lesson I’ve learnt from the camp is the importance of protecting the country, and doing our part as citizens to serve the nation in our own way.”