6TH SIGNALS BATTALION CELEBRATES 12TH WIN

This year marks the 40th anniversary of National Service (NS) but the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) of the 6th Signals Battalion (6 Sig Bn) have another reason to celebrate.

They have clinched the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Best Unit competition's Best NS Signals unit for the 12th time since 1994, making them one of the most consistent performers in the competition.

"I think the secret to winning this record number of times is teamwork and cohesion," said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Nadarajah Loganathan, Head Signals and Command System Centre and Commanding Officer of 6 Sig Bn.

He added: "The NS officers build their own network with their men so that, most of the time during training, they do everything together."

This approach has served the battalion well. Despite juggling work and family, the NSmen of 6 Sig Bn showed their support for NS by being fully committed to in-camp training (ICT). During their last mobilisation exercise, the battalion achieved a 100 per cent turnout.

One of the battalion's NSmen is Lieutenant (LTA) Ho Kee-Vin, a commander with 6 Sig Bn. As a business process manager with computer firm Hewlett Packard, LTA Ho is always busy with work. But when it is time to go for ICT, he will arrange for his colleagues to cover his duties for the period of absence.

Naturally, LTA Ho was pleased that 6 Sig Bn won the award.

He said: "I am proud about winning because we are a close-knit unit and there is a lot of camaraderie among us. Everyone is treated as friends and that is good for us."

With the unit's achievement, LTC Loganathan is urging his men to win even more honours in future SAF Best Unit competitions.

"If they have done it for 12 years, I am sure they will want to achieve greater heights!" said LTC Loganathan.