GURUN, 7 April 2014 - Members of the Reserved Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) need to find a person whom they can emulate. This was expressed by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor Col (K) Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman to the 163 participants who were enlisted into the Continued Training for PALAPES, First Phase: Shooting, which began on 5 April 2014 and ended on 7 April 2014.

They consist of 96 junior cadet officers, 49 middle-level cadet officers and 18 high-level cadet officers from the main and the engineering campuses.

“By becoming a person who can be emulated, the person will be more respected and at the same time can be followed by his/her comrades, especially those who also excel in academic performance and the training they have gone through,” said Omar.

The Vice-Chancellor advised them to be always wise in taking action, always work as a team and always be careful about their personal safety.

Phase 2: Navigation was scheduled on April 8 to 10.

The Vice-Chancellor as the USM PALAPES Commandant attended the shooting practice at the Shooting Range, Camp Hobart, Gurun, Kedah, along with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development) who is also the Deputy PALAPES Commandant Royal Malaysian Air Force Lt. Col. (K) Professor Dr. Adnan Hussein; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Corps Commandant and also Police Undergraduate Voluntary Corps (SUKSIS) Assistant Commissioner of Police (K) Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Director (Student Development Office) Student Affairs and Development (HEPP) Supt (K) Dr. Nazaruddin Zainon, Deputy Commandant PALAPES Army Major Sharizal Nazri and Head Trainer USM PALAPES Major Haris Padzilah Mohamed.

Among the activities held were pistol shooting event, shooting down plates using Colt M16 rifle, shooting using Multiple Purposes Machine Gun and M203 Grenade Launcher.

They also had the opportunity to try the breakfast and lunch as what the cadet officers were eating from mess tins and mess cups, and friendly session with the cadets.

Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text Information: Major Shahrizal Nazri/Photo: Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman/Prof. Dr. Adnan Hussein/Major Shahrizal Nazri