1. History of Singapore’s army- how it all startedSingapore’s army began after she gained her independence in 1965, where she was declared a sovereign and independent nation on 9 August 1965. Before that, Singapore was entirely dependent on the other armies to protect us during World War II.
However, eventually a small army consisting of only two infantry battalions of 50 officers, some 1,000 men and two ships was being created. There was no air force then. Having a small population then in Singapore and due to a need to channel resources to economic development, it was decided that Singapore’s defence would be based on citizen armed forces.
At first, it was difficult to gain support from the citizens to serve in the army. However, with the help of the Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and community leaders whom volunteered to serve in the People’s Defence Force, Singaporeans eventually came to accept and support National Service.
2. SAFTI Military InstituteOn 18 Jun 1966, SAFTI was officially declared open by the Minister for Defence then, Dr Goh Keng Swee.
This institute was to
train officers to lead the new corps of men who were to form the Singapore Armed Forces. SAFTI was first located in the old Jurong Primary School where it was then informally known as the Jurong Military Institute.
In 1987, it was proposed that a new institute, SAFTI Military Institute be built. Through this institution, the Tri-Service term was being introduced, whereby it centralises the training of officers to foster better understanding and interaction among officers of the three Services. On 25 August 1995, SAFTI-MI was officially opened by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
By the time NS was introduced in 1967, there was a number of officers who were ready to train the first batch of full-time NS men. SAFTI went on to train many more batches of officer cadets and NCOs until the 1990s. In 1995, the Officer Cadet School was moved to the SAFTI Military Institute, which then became the home of the SAF Officer Corps.
3. SAF Physical training
In the past, physical training was being instructed at the Army Fitness Centre, otherwise known as the School of Physical Training (PT), where is first started in SAFTI at Pasir Laba Camp as a PT Section with only a strength of five.
On 2 January 1968, the PT Section had grown large enough to be renamed as the School of Physical Training. National Service had been introduced the year before in 1967 and as the number of NS men increased rapidly, so did the need for Physical Training instructors increase.
The School of Physical Training was renamed as the Army Fitness Centre on 10 November 2006. The Army Fitness Centre is crucial to the 3rd Generation SAF to constantly upgrade the soldiers through the use of technology.
4. NS begins! 
When National Service came about, there were many different perspectives of it. Among them,
were a group of people who were against the idea of NS. Then came about the anti-NS marches, including the infamous march at New Bridge road. In order to disperse the crowd, tear gas shells was being used and about 13 people were being arrested.
Thankfully, majority of the population in Singapore eventually came to accept and understand the need to defend the country, especially after having gone through the Japanese Occupation, the struggle for self-government (seperation from Malaysia), Konfrontasi and the ongoing struggles against local communism. Here's a person's view on National Service:
"We did not know what to expect….We felt like guinea pigs ….But we understood the need for defence." (2)Many expressed the fear and yet excitement as to what to expect from NS. Pink reminder cards were being sent by post to the first batch of citizens who were born between 1 January 1949 and 30 June 1949 which totals up to about 9,000 men. This marked the beginning of the citizen army and also the start of NS as a way of life for the male citizens of Singapore. Unlike during the past, most of the youths today are more psychologically prepared for NS.
The National Service (Amendment) BillThe passing of the National Service (Amendment) Bill called for:
* 10% of eligible males to be enlisted for two years active service, followed by ten years in 'front-line' reserve, and
* Majority of the remainder to be enlisted for part-time NS for 12 years in either the PDF, Special Constabulary or Vigilante Corps.Nowadays, all eligible males will be enlisted for two to two and a half years of full-time service. There is no part-time service.
5. Navy beginsOn 5 May 1967, after several months of preparation, the first step to forming the Singapore Navy was taken at a historic ceremony held at Telok Ayer Basin. The White Singapore Naval Volunteer Force Ensign was being hoisted for the very first time and the Blue Ensign lowered for the last time as the Singapore Navy's white-uniformed men and women paraded under the sun beside Godown TA2.
The Navy went on to develop rapidly. It underwent three name changes starting with the
Sea Defence Command and subsequently, followed by the
Maritime Command in 1968 and eventually in 1975, the
Republic of Singapore Navy was formed. The RSN is now one of the three Services of the SAF, the other two being the Army and the Airforce.
6. AirforceThe Air Fore first begun in September 1968 with the formation of the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). In April 1975, the SADC was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Since RSAF was formed, it has grown in size and capabilities, employing sophisticated weaponry and state-of the-art technology. The Singapore Air Defence Artillery (SADA) was established in 1979 to protect our airspace against unauthorised intrusion.
As the RSF advances to join the ranks of other top-class air forces, its aim to remain vigilant and being ready to defend the integrity of the Singapore’s airspace remains.
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