Army Uniform (Past/Present)



Ranks
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Ranks denote the command status of individual soldiers in the hierarchy in the Army. The clearly-stated hierarchy makes it possible for a large fighting body such as the Army to accomplish tasks with speed and efficiency, and properly established chain of command.



Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees

Enlisted Personnel Ranks

Once Recruits complete their Basic Military Training, they attain the rank of Private. Enlisted personnel form the basic foundation of the Army's manpower. These ranks are worn on both sleeves. Shown here are the Lance Corporal and Corporal ranks. Privates and Recruits do not wear ranks on their sleeves.

Promising enlistees with command potential will go to SISPEC (School of Infantry Specialists) for Specialist courses or Officer Cadet School (OCS) for Officer Cadet courses. Officer Cadets have a whole array of unique ranks simulating actual command ranks during their training.


Specialist Ranks

Expert soldiers who have undergone professional military training courses are known as Specialists. They progress from Third Sergeant (3SG) to Second Sergeant (2SG) to First Sergeant (1SG). If they prove themselves to be capable and responsible, they may even attain staff-level ranks, such as Staff Sergeant (SSG) or Master Sergeant (MSG).

Specialists usually serve as instructors or are put in charge of groups of men. They serve as the link between the Officers and the men, and are recognised as being a cut above the enlistees.


Warrant Officer Ranks

Warrant Officers are Specialists who have distinguished themselves with their dedication and professionalism. With more than 10 years of service, they are the most experienced personnel in the Army.

Because they are given Officer-type duties, their ranks are worn on the epaulettes. They have similar responsibilities and authority as Junior Officers.



Officers

Junior Officer Ranks

The Junior Officers wear bars on their epaulettes. Commanding platoons or companies of men, they oversee the execution of orders and ensure the welfare of the men under their command. They are most important in small-unit combat, and earn the respect of their men by leading by example. As exemplary soldiers, they bring their men into action with dedication and energy.

Junior Officers graduate from OCS with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant (2LT), and are promoted to Lieutenant (LTA) after they have had sufficient experience. They may later be moved to higher appointments and assume the rank of Captain (CPT).


Senior Officer Ranks

The Senior Officers wear the National Coat of Arms on their epaulettes, more affectionately known as 'crabs'. They make command decisions in combat and peacetime, taking charge of units or important branches. Senior Officers are crucial in the formulation and execution of missions, as well as overseeing the training and direction of their charges.

Commanding Officers begin their duties at the rank of Major (MAJ), and only the few who can distinguish themselves will attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). It is an even greater challenge and responsibility for a senior officer to attain the rank of Colonel (COL).


General Level Ranks

The people with the highest ranks in the Army are known as the Generals. The stars on their epaulettes reflect the enormous responsibilities on their shoulders. They are responsible for the planning of policies which affect the entire Army, including Command of Divisions. Presently, the three levels of generalship are : Brigadier-General (BG), Major-General (MG) and Lieutenant-General (LG).



Badges
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Badges are awarded to soldiers who have completed specific courses or tests successfully. Some types of badges, such as the Explosive and Armament badges, also indicate the vocation specialty of the bearer.

The Arms Badge reflects the Arms the servicemen are from. The purpose is to instill confidence and pride in the individual Arms and celebrate the tapestry of its culture. It will be worn on the right shirt collar.

The Formation/HQ patch is a new addition to our Army No. 4 dress. Worn on the right side of the sleeve, it serves to reinforce our servicemen's identity with their own Formation and HQ.

All the Skills Badges will be weaved on olive green base cloth. The design of the badge remains unchanged.


Exceptional Skills Badges

These Badges have precedence over all Skills Badges and are worn on the left chest above the pocket.



Vocation Badges (Air Force & Navy only)
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Vocation badges are to be worn on the left chest above the pocket and above other skills badges.



Skills Badges/Tabs
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These are catagorised in order of precedence.

Airborne and Warfare Badges

Basic Diving Badge

Jungle Survival Badge

Taekwondo Badge

Other Skills Badges


Within each category, if there are more than one badge to be worn, the earlier badge that was awarded would take precedence over subsequent badges awarded.



Skills Tab
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There can only be a maximum of 2 Skills Tabs worn on the left sleeve. ie. Ranger and Guards Tabs.


Physical Achievement Badges



Other Army Uniforms



Defence Today
Today 2 PDF is responsible for the 24/7 protection of key installations and for coordinating military resources to assist Homefront agencies in civil emergencies, with the HQ manned round the clock to provide an effective and efficient response to incidents island-wide.

Our 2 PDF home is built on a strong foundation of values, made up of committed members, who possess our 3 key P.D.F. attributes; namely the Passion for the job, to Dare to try to achieve beyond boundaries and the Fortitude to see it through. In these uncertain times, 2 PDF is well-poised to defend our nation and will continue to remain vigilant and resolute in doing so.



The 3rd Singapore Division

3 Div became the Army's principal testbed for the development of new operational concepts, doctrines and tactics for land battles, as well as a ready force to deal with unexpected peacetime contingencies. When crises strike, 3 Div is always ready to respond to the call of duty helping out with occasions like the Hotel New World Disaster and floods that plagued Singapore in the late 70s.

The 3 Division motto, 'Foremost and Utmost', is a commitment from the members of the Division, to be the foremost and to do their utmost in any situation.



The 6th Singapore Division

6th Singapore Division (6 Div) is an operationally ready front-line formation. It is a Combined Arms Division comprising active and NS units. 6 Div distinguishes itself in its emphasis on achieving high training standards. Resources and efforts are focused to ensure that servicemen at all levels, in particular our commanders, are receiving the correct training.

Our motto "Swift and Deadly" captures these qualities. It inspires active personnel and NSmen to train and fight hard. In particular, it serves as a constant reminder to our servicemen to build a credible force that will mobilise swiftly and retaliate with deadly force to protect their fellow citizens and nation.



The 9th Singapore Division/Infantry

Our motto "Forging Ahead" expresses the determination of the soldiers of 9th Singapore Division / Infantry to forge ahead in the defense of our nation with courage, strength and tenacity.



Armour

A synergy of men and mobile firepower, resulting in an impressive show of force - Armour provides impregnable support for land forces defending key objectives. Yet, it is flexible enough to be deployed at a moment's notice, to seize ground and punch through enemy defences.

Equipped to meet theses formidable mission requirements, Amour's awesome military might includes the upgraded SM-1 tanks, Ultra Armoured Personnel Carriers and the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles providing our Army with sufficient muscle to achieve any task.

However, it is extensively trained and highly motivated soldiers of Armour who are Armour's most potent weapons. Trained for high operational readiness on the state-of-the-art equipment that includes the Armour Gunnery Tactical Simulator, they are a vital part of a force that is always at the forefront spearheading the way for our Army.



Artillery

The primary role of the Artillery is to deliver timely, accurate and effective fire in support of the manoeuvre force to accomplish its missions. As the Artillery is an indirect fire support system, the gunners at the weapons do not need to see the targets in order to engage fire.

The location of the targets are provided by the forward observers as well as elements of target acquisition unit. This information is then passed to the command post which commands and controls the weapons delivering the fire.



Training

Parachuting

The common brotherhood of the Red Berets is derived by the experience of parachuting. No Commando wears the Red Beret without having previously earned the parachutist wings. The Commando BAC entails a total of five parachute descents.

Three of these will be executed in daylight, whilst two are executed in darkness. To successfully graduate from the course, Commando trainees are required to execute a day and night combat equipment jump each.



Ranger

The SAF Ranger Course is a 65-days course that aims to develop small unit leadership to the highest levels. It exposes the trainees to a robust course of instruction, deliberately structured within the parameters of emotional, mental and physical stress.

Throughout the course, attention is paid to the command and control capability of Ranger students, as well as their ability to perform otherwise simple task under the worse possible conditions. The Ranger thus finds himself constantly watched over and supervised in a realistic and extremely demanding field environment.

Rappelling and Roping

In battle, Guardsmen are noted for their rapid deployment of troops. Their rapid deployment is by helicopter. Thus, an important part of their training has to do with helicopters. This entails not only rapid disembarkation techniques but also rappelling, coming down from the chopper via long ropes. A nice landing area may not always be available, and Guards units may have to rappel straight into battle zones, or onto rooftops.

The Guards have to master many kinds of rappelling from cliffs and buildings. In one method, they come down a cliff head-downwards. All this business of jumping off cliffs may sound scary but the Guards are used to it such that it is second nature to them.



Credits:
-http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_Us/Ranks.html
-http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_Us/Badges.html
-http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/About_Us/interesting_facts.html
-http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/MES.html
Army Museum