My Army Career

Back

SAF Crest

All Singaporean males have to serve the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) for at most 2 years. During this period, we are known as NSFs (National Service Fulltime). Our army service actually doesn't stop when our NSF term ends. Every year, we are liable to be called back to serve in units given to us after we leave the army (called 'NS' or National Service). Different activities include exercises, in-camp training or physical fitness tests.

The Beginning

Enlistment occurs after we complete our high school leaving exams (or the A'levels). My exams were over on Nov 2004, and I was enlisted into the SAF on April 2005. My parents accompanied me to see me off to serve in the army.

Like the majority of recruits, I was sent to a training base located on the island. 'W' Company was to be my home for the next few weeks. Usually, we were not allowed to go home after 2 straight weeks in the base. After that, we were allowed to go home every weekend or public holiday.

In there, they instilled army values, and put us through basic routines and training. My platoon was quite close with one another, and I had good times in there. That is not to forget the punishments and bad times I had in there too.

In total, I spent 7 weeks and was posted out to serve in my next unit. This was to be the unit I would serve in until I finish my army career.

1SIR: The Leopards

Above: The current 1 SIR unit logo. The motto is 'First and Foremost'.

A picture of HQ Company of 1SIR.

For the majority of my army career, I served in 1SIR (or 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment), also known as the 'Leopards' due to the unit logo. Each batch of soldiers is divided into 'mono-intakes' or loosely defined as 'generations', and I am in the 12th Mono. The Leopard signifies seemless adaptibitlity in its environment. Recently, 1SIR has celebrated its 50th Anniversary, and it is actually older than Singapore herself! The unit has a very rich history, and can pride itself to be one of the few Singaporean units put on active duty before.

As a clerk, I served in the manpower branch of 'HQ' Company. During my time in 1SIR, I performed a variety of duties, such as office work, attend courses, perform regimental duties, take part in exercises, participate in route marches, and even go to the firing range.

Most of the time, I stayed in the camp and was only allowed to return home on weekends or public holidays. Although this meant I could not be at home for extended periods, it worked well to my advantage. Being in close contacts with fellow soldiers, I was able to form close bonds within my branch, and in my unit. Also, it prepared me to be able to live seperately from my family.

The End?

Group picture in Taiwan

For most conscripts, they get to end their army careers by saving their precious leave and spending it all on their last days, thereby granting them a premature exit from army. For me, that was far from the story, as I was actively involved until the end of my service.

My service ended with a training stint in the ROC (Republic of China), and it was the first time I had to spend a month away from home overseas. In an entirely new environment, the experiences in ROC will surely live on in my memory.

Still meeting up after all these (2) years...

While we were in ROC, we were constantly looking forward to the R&R (Rest and Recreation) breaks, and our eventual return back home. R&R was great and enjoyed ourselves until we had to fly back.

Finally, a few days after coming back safely from Taiwan, I left the army in April 2007. It was a relatively quiet exit, since the unit was resting its well-earned off after just having returned. Also, that was about 4 or more months before I started on my college career.

However, that was far from the end for me and my army mates! I can safely say the bonds we formed while we served together grew quite strong. Before I left the US, I still met up with a few of them, and relive the our army days. It maybe quite hard to get everyone together, since we have split up now. But one can't deny the warmth we feel when we meet together again.

Ranks

Here is a simple list of ranks I have held in my service in the army. In fact, all of my promotions occured when I was in 1SIR. These ranks are actually attained by serving a set time of service, and it is the standard progression for clerks like me.

REC (Recruit) - April 2005 - July 2005

PTE (Private) - July 2006 - Sept 2006

CPL (Corporal) - Sept 2005 - Sept 2006

3SG (Third Sergeant) - Sept 2006 - April 2007

Awards

During my time as a clerk in 1SIR, I was able to attain some awards. Please note that they are not great achievements.

Outstanding Soldier of the Month (HQ Coy)

This award was a monthly award, and each company had to nominate a soldier who performed well for the month.

Marksmanship (for 1st and 2nd year)

I had to pass a certain hit percentage each year to be eligible for the badge. As I served for 2 years, I had to go for 2 firing ranges to attain the award.

External Links

[History of 1SIR]

[1SIR on Friendster]

[Ministry of Defence]

[Singapore Army Website]