Unit History

Our Beginning 

SJI NCC (Air) was originally known as The Air Scout Movement, formed in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II.  1956 marked the humble beginning of the Air Element in SJI, as part of the established Malayan Air Training Corps (MATC). Two volunteer teachers, Mr Patrick Goh and Mr Tony Chee, and 15 boys were subsequently sent for the Officers’ and NCO courses respectively. In 1957, Mr Patrick Goh Yong Meng, Mr Tony Chee Kah Ann, Mr Dominic Yip, and 30 Secondary Cadets formed the nucleus of our first Unit, known then as ‘SJI Squadron One’. Their training included lectures on Badges of Rank, Aeronautics, and the History of the RAF by RAF personnel of Tengah, weekly parades at MATC Headquarters at Kallang, annual camps, and Engineering, Radio, Signaling, and Aeromodelling courses.

Later on in 1969, with the reorganization of the National Cadet Corps, SJI Squadron One was renamed SJI NCC (Air). The Army and the Air Units of the school amalgamated under this new set-up with LTA Tang Wing Kee as the Officer Commanding. Recruitment took place in January and recruits went through 4 months of basic training in foot and arms drills, weapon training, and map reading. Those who passed the Recruits test were absorbed into either the Army or Air Sections in the school.

The overall training structure of NCC (Air) had a major change in 1980. The training was carried out according to the various subjects the cadets opted for. Those taking Aeromechanics were sent to Catholic Junior College for training whilst those taking Avionics and Aerospace Control were sent to Temasek and Anglo-Chinese Junior Colleges respectively. In addition, a special unit, the Corps Guard, was formed to cater to cadets who wished to specialize in footdrills, weapons handling, and other military-related functions. An NCC (Air) training centre was established in 1983 at Sembawang Airbase for improving the organization and facilities and to bring about greater efficiency in training thus replacing the three Wing Centres and the Technical Training Centre in Dempsey Road.

At the Turn of the Century 

In 1999, LTA Jude Tan, the Commanding Officer, established SJI NCC (Air), allowing cadets to attend ECA in school instead of having to travel to Changi Airbase for their weekly trainings. Under his leadership, SJI NCC (Air) unit clinched the Best NCC (Air) unit award in 2003 and 2005.

With the setting up of the school unit, it meant that our cadets no longer needed to travel out of school for their weekly trainings. As such, the Unit also increased our intake of Secondary 1 cadets, increasing our unit strength significantly. Since 2003, SJI NCC(Air) Unit is remains one of the largest Uniformed Groups in SJI, with a unit strength of over 100 cadets each year. 

SJI NCC(Air) unit has also consecutively achieved the Best Unit Competition Gold award every year since 2001, until the renaming of the competition to Unit Recognition. In 2006, the Unit was the Overall 3rd Best NCC Unit and Best NCC (Air) Unit, a major milestone befitting our 50th Anniversary, which was celebrated with a dinner, during which the then Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean presented our Unit with a new pace stick. This pace stick is traditionally passed on to the incoming Unit Sergeant Major every year during the SJI Anniversary Parade. 

Broadening Horizons

Building on these achievements, the unit continued to broaden its scope of training and opportunities available to our cadets. Throughout the late 2000s and the early 2010s, our cadets had the opportunity to partake in aeromodelling competitions and even international exchange programs. They also had the chance to participate in ceremonial drill displays, outdoor adventure programs and leadership development programs. These experiences together with the Unit's regular training created a strong foundation for cadets to develop their technical proficiency, confidence, teamwork and leadership while also proudly representing SJI NCC (Air) not just locally, but also internationally.

Continuing the Tradition 

Despite the tweaks in the NCC Curriculum to better suit the Cadet Strong and Unit Recognition programmes, the core mission of SJI NCC (Air) has always been the same - to provide a platform for cadets to foster bonds and teamwork with fellow cadets, develop leadership capabilities, and more importantly, shape each and every cadet’s character. 

For over six decades, every generation of cadets has added its own chapter to the Unit's history. The story of SJI NCC (Air) is not defined solely by its awards or achievements, but by the generations of cadets whose commitment, resilience, and camaraderie continue to shape the Unit's enduring legacy. 

It is now the responsibility of those who wear the uniform today to inspire future generations to strive for excellence in both character and service.