A Life Changing Experience

Our school’s NCC troop took part in the CATC Combined Annual Training Camp, held at Presidency University, Rajankunte, Yelahanka from 15 – 24 July. A total of 23 SJBHS NCC cadets attended this camp.

Our day usually started off at 4 a.m. We freshened up and changed into our tracksuits. We assembled for morning Physical Training at 5:45 a.m. We generally had to be at least 10 to 15 minutes early to any parade or event, to inculcate punctuality and discipline. Our morning Physical Training went on till 7a.m. We then had to have our breakfast and change into our NCC uniforms and assemble for an intense two-hour drill from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. After we finished our drill, we would get a five-minute tea break and then we had theory classes, which mainly revolved around map reading and weapons training. These sessions were held by the army staff, which we knew as the PI staff. The classes went on till 1 p.m., lunch and rest were till 2:30 p.m. After lunch we had an array of events. We had briefings, rifle shooting, sports or more theory classes. These events would round up by 5 p.m. Roll call lasted till 7 p.m. After roll call, it was dinner break till 8:45 p.m. An hour’s gap between dinner and lights out was considered time enough for recreation and bonding with our fellow cadets.

There were over 500 NCC cadets, from various schools, from various parts of Karnataka, all part of the same 3 Karnataka Battalion. These cadets, including us, were divided into companies, namely: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo. Each company had four divisions of NCC cadets, Senior Men’s and Women’s Division and Junior Men’s and Women’s Division. Our whole troop from St. Joseph’s was in the Delta company, and our company emerged victorious when it came to inter-company competitions. In fact, three of our NCC cadets won first place in these three events, namely: Rifle Shooting / Firing, Sprinting and Sketching.

Attending this camp has disciplined me. I am very glad that I, as an NCC Cadet, got this wonderful opportunity to attend the camp. The facilities provided by the university were outstanding. I would personally like to thank our ANO, Mr. James Deepak Xavier, for taking care of us, guiding us and helping us at every step of the way. The camp has taught us the importance of unity and discipline, helped us to understand the challenges and hardships of our soldiers and brought us face to face with the realities of life itself!

Adon Sequeira
Class IX B
NCC Cadet