Indonesian media shared my analysis but the title is misleading

 

In 2022 social media went viral with the picture of a Dad rushing into the parade square to lift up his fatigued son. While the action of the Dad is commendable, as any father would have done the same.

However that's not the point, the prevailing issue is the need/rationale for enforcement agencies like KPDNEP and many "non military" organisation to carry out drills and passing out parade.

Marching/Drills/Parade are synonymous with the military and has a strong tactical, operational and historical underpinning to it. Prior to discussing Drills/March one needs to understand the basis for it, which is purely Command & Control at the basic level.

Soldiers are entrusted to perform extraordinary feat usually under fire, therefore commanding/instructing them without a moment to deliberate or hesitate is the order of the day. They have to move like clockwork to perform their mission.  Especially during 18th/19th century pre industrial revolution, where orders for soldiers either to form a square with pikes out to defeat enemy cavalry or line abreast to meet the enemy artillery.

Secondly "steps per minute" precisely calculated by Sergeant Major with a "pace stick" to ensure synchronization. Again this is very much related to function and historic reasons. All infantry soldiers based on commonwealth structure marches at a pace of 120 steps per minute.

During Battles of Napoleonic era, this are the standard steps where the infantry marches with "line abreast" or " three in line" formation to meet the enemy or "movements to contact ". 

Whereas"light infantry/fusiliers/rifle" Regiments marches at 140 steps per minute. These are "flanking troops " entrusted to protect the flanks of the infantry. When the main column turns to attack, being either at the outer most right/left of the formation, they need to march slightly faster as they need to cover more distance within the same time.

Cavalry again similar concept, their horses "trot or gallops" at different pace. The Hussars are slightly slower than the Lancers or Dragoons. Hussars can fight dismounted, whereas Dragoons/Lancers are "shock troopers" earmarked to destroy enemy lines. Even their horse breeds are different, one is for stamina, whereas the other for sturdiness/speed. 

Hence there are strong reasons, for Drills/Marches/Parade, which can be translated in modern terms to ensure"force structure integrity". 

Additionally it has to satisfy "Form Follow Function", for instance the Navy does not "Hentak Kaki" for the reason of not to rock the boat so much. The Air Force if possible, wants to do away with drills/marches and concentrate on operations. Marines and Special Forces takes pride, that drill/marches forms only a fraction of their time as opposed to fitness, exercise and live ammo drills.

So KPDNEP, could well spend its time and resources in analysing, brainstorming, and enforcing price controls, fight against cartel especially during this economically challenging times, rather than drills.

Apart from that, government should stop this ridiculous culture of giving uniform, military rank insignia, camo, swords to civil/govt/non military agencies and make a mockery of it.This should be exclusive to military and military alone. What's the point of having stars on shoulders and peak cap but with a tiny beard resembling a goat.  To attain the desired outcome you must match it with discipline, it cannot be half hearted efforts. If you want to wear the coveted "green/biege" beret you need to earn it and go through hell for it,  merely wearing it would reveal inadequacy.

Finally focus on your core areas/mission statement. If you job is to assist the public to control price, what's the reason for military like attire, march and drill, you would further alienate the people. Additionally the marching looks "lopong" anyway, since its half hearted efforts to please the DG,KSU or Minster to tap into their ego, that's all.

During this trying time prudence in spending is crucial, stop all other "bull shits" not related to your core functions/duties.

Even the best investigation unit in the world, the FBI doesn't have a uniform, save for a lowly "rain jacket" with the simple words FBI adorn at the back.

Military leaders should do more in ensuring tradition, uniforms and culture remains exclusive within their domain, not diluted by other pretenders.

2nd Lt Baharin Abd Jalil PGB

Operation HENTAM....Sarikei, Sarawak.

June 1971, 1st Battalion Rangers

"Satu-tiga.....satu-satu ganti"....swishhh....the call came from company HQ to 3rd platoon led by 2nd Lt Baharin Abdul Jalil.....again it was transmitted.....Satu-Tiga....satu-satu...ganti.....

After a while the respond came over the trusted PRC77 Combat Net Radio......"Satu-Satu.....satu-tiga......Contact.....Contact"....the voice of the platoon commander 2nd Lt Baharin responded almost yelling over the radio as sounds of gunfire at close range crackled nearby......

The word Contact....said it all.... the platoon has bumped into the CTs and actively in combat when the radio call came over....

2nd Lt Baharin as he was outnumbered 3:1 requested artillery support to a Grid Reference based on alphabetics that denotes predetermined number.......

"satu satu .....minta bantuan Sheldrake.....ke golf romeo.......juliet-echo-tango-tango-whiskey-charlie".......ulang...juliet-echo-tango-tango-whiskey-charlie".....gun fires were intermittent making it difficult to make out the transmission..

Coy HQ knew that Artillery support is required immediately for the outgunned and outnumbered platoon....but fire support will take some time to reposition the gun batteries......

Knowing the dire situation...2nd Lt Baharin had two option....being pinned down and get slaughtered or charge head on come what may......together with his lead section 2nd Lt Baharin charged heads on against the enemy. The rest of the platoon providing covering fire.....the assault with textbook leap frog tactics .....dumbfounded the enemy due to the ferocity of the Rangers engagement and tenacity......

The CTs numbering close began to 50 retreat...2nd Lt Jalil and another Rgr who were the two point men in front killed close to 14 CTs between them during this operation...making it one of the highest kills ever in Malaysian Army history......

Fot his courage and leadership in combat 2nd Lt Baharin Abd Jalil at a young age of 20 was bestowed the Panglima Gagah Berani......he retired from the Army and beloved Ranger Regt as a Major.....

The nation salutes you sir......

Agi idup agi ngelaban......

He passed away in 2020 due to illness.

Thank you for your service.

 

KM-SAM2 For Saudi

Saudi selects KM-SAM 2 to address the Kingdom's Aerial Threats. Total package are as follows:-

10 x Batteries for U$ 3.5 BIL

Each Battery consists:-

1 x Engagement Control Station (C2)

1 X Multi-Functional Radar (AESA)

4 X Launchers, each with 8 missiles (32) in total.

How much is U$3.5 BIL, well that's the entire Malaysian Defence budget. Its also interesting to note that Lockheed Martin also established an MRO centre to support the unspecified numbers of Patriots in country.

Perhaps Saudi is shying away from the US due to all the "tight regulatory" control on its usage.

The Korean are making wave not only in K-Pop but also in stuffs that destroys...

No more Dauphines

US COAST GUARD, to retire its H-65 Dauphines to streamline its rotary wing with only the H-60.

Well perhaps Royal Malaysian Navy, should approach Office of Defence Cooperation (ODC) in US Embassy KL to procure it via Excessive Defense Article (EDA).

With His Majesty HRH Sultan of Perak.

Colonel in Chief of Royal Engineers

Colonel in Chief of Royal Medical Corp

SEEK NOTHING OUTSIDE YOURSELF

THE DICTA OF MIYAMOTO MUSHASHI

(DOKODO...THE PATH OF ALONENESS)... 

1. Accept everything just the way it is. 

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling. 

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. 

5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous. 

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation. 

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others. 

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love. 

11. In all things have no preferences. 

12. Be indifferent to where you live.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food. 

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need. 

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful. 

17. Do not fear death. 

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age. 

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help. 

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.
21. Never stray from the Way.